Strategy

Seattle -- Starbucks Coffee Co. is looking to expand its food business. The chain has entered into an agreement to acquire San Francisco-based Bay Bread and its La Boulange bakery brand, as well as to hire its well-known French baker, Pascal Rigo. The cash deal is valued at $100 million.

UNION, N.J. — Bed Bath & Beyond has expanded its business with the all cash acquisition of Linen Holdings, LLC for approximately $105 million.  Based in Gibbsboro, New Jersey, Linen Holdings LLC is a privately-held, value-added distributor of bath, bed and table linens, other textile products and amenities to customers in the hospitality, cruise line, food service, health care and other industries.

Walmart’s strategy of every day low prices underpinned by an every day low cost operating model will work everywhere in the world, according to international division president and CEO Doug McMillon.

Responding to a question about improving international financial returns, McMillon weighed in on the need to deliver on the strategy of every day low prices on a broad assortment and how that is the right approach internationally in large format stores.

Beaumont, Texas -- Conn's Inc. said Monday its first-quarter net income more than doubled, and the retailer raised its outlook for the year.

The retailer earned $11.6 million for the three months ended April 30, compared with $4.4 million in the same period last year, which included some one-time costs for severance payments. Revenue increased 5% to $200.9 million from $192 million, as same-sales surged 17.8%.

See what Walmart president and CEO Mike Duke had to say about the company’s growth prospects. For a transcript of his comments, click here.



 

New York -- Dollar General Corp. on Monday reported a 36% jump in quarterly profit and raised its expectations for the year as its momentum continued.

Dollar General earned $213.4 million in the fiscal first quarter ended on May 4, up from $157.0 million a year earlier. Sales rose 13% to $3.9 billion. Same-store sales increased 6.7%.

Englewood, Col. -- Sports Authority has announced the launch of its first-ever customer rewards program, The League, which offers members 5% back on their total point balances of 100 points or more earned quarterly.

The program offers one of the highest reward funding rates, as well as the lowest reward threshold amongst leaders in the full-line sporting goods retail industry, allowing members qualify for rewards sooner, the retailer said.
 

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Sports Authority has launched its first-ever customer loyalty program, The League, which offers members 5% back on their total point balances of 100 points or more earned quarterly.