Strategy

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. — The Wet Seal reported that total sales declined 9.9% to $48.3 million for the month of September. Comparable-store sales fell 12.7% compared with same-store sales that were essentially flat last year.

E-commerce sales, which increased 15% for the month, were a bright spot for the company.

Matthews, N.C. -- Family Dollar Stores reported Wednesday that net income for the quarter ended Aug. 25 inched up to $80.9 million, from $79.8 million in the same period last year. Results were impacted by an $11.5 million litigation charge stemming from the preliminary settlement of a lawsuit in New York.

Sales for the quarter rose 10.8% to $2.36 billion, a record for the company, and same-store sales increased 5.4%.

Silicon Valley companies paved the way for corporate America to offer non-traditional workplace amenities and now Target has joined their ranks.

Seattle -- Green-building consulting firm Paladino and Co. said Wednesday it has acquired S.D. Keppler & Associates, a green consultancy out of Rockville, Md.
 
The two firms have joined to establish a comprehensive consulting offering focused on elevating the impact of green real estate programs within business.

Layaway program have become all the rage the past few years as retailers seeks to offer shoppers every conceivable convenience to capture every available sales dollar.

London -- British retailer Tesco reported Wednesday that profit dropped 6.8% in its first fiscal half to $2.06 billion, weighed down by costs associated with its turnaround strategy.

Revenue for the period inched up 1.6% to $51.9 billion, but costs were up as well for the world’s third-largest retailer. Same-store sales fell off 0.7%.

"The plan is a long course of treatment for us, not a single dose," new CEO Philip Clarke said of the turnaround plan.

Family Dollar said it would open 500 new stores next year following the release of record sales and profits on Wednesday morning.

NEW YORK — JCPenney has partnered with baby retailer Giggle to launch specialty shops in more than 500 JCPenney shops. 

Branded as giggleBABY, the new baby ships will open in fall 2013 and feature nursery, gear, layette, bedding, toys, and gifts. An expanded selection of giggleBABY products will be available on JCP.com.