Corporate Governance

West Elm to open its first in-store shop — in London
New York – In a first, West Elm, a Williams-Sonoma subsidiary, will make its products available outside of the brand’s own stores and website.

The Williams-Sonoma subsidiary said it has entered into a partnership with U.K. department store retailer John Lewis to open an in-store shop in the newly renovated John Lewis flagship on Oxford Street in London. The shop will open on Sept. 3, following the launch of a branded West Elm shop online at Johnlewis.com.
Bon-Ton increases e-commerce support
Milwaukee - The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. is increasing its support of e-commerce with a new 743,000-sq.-ft. direct-to-consumer fulfillment center.

The facility, which began transitioning fulfillment operations in June, supports the company’s expanding e-commerce business and omnichannel growth plans.

Express makes all the right moves in Q2

Columbus, Ohio -- Express Inc. soared in the second quarter as its profit tripled amid increased sales and profit margins and reduced promotional activity.

The retailer on Wednesday reported better-than-expected sales and profit for the second quarter. It also raised its full year outlook.

Express’ net income totaled $21 million, compared to $6.9 million, boosted by gross profit resulting from cost of sales growth that was significantly behind the rate of net sales growth.
Abercrombie swings to loss in Q2 but still tops Street

New Albany, Ohio – Efforts to change its merchandising and branding paid dividends at Abercrombie & Fitch Co., which reported smaller net loss and revenue decline than expected in the second quarter of fiscal 2015.

Abercrombie reported a net loss of $810,000, compared to net income of $12.9 million the same quarter a year earlier.

Revenue fell 9% to $817.8 million, from $890.6 million.
Chico’s Q2 tops forecast; to sell one of its divisions

Fort Myers, Fla. – Chico’s FAS Inc. on Wednesday released better-than-expected second quarter sales and earnings and also announced it was selling off its Boston Proper specialty women’s apparel business.

Earlier this year, the retailer launched a turnaround plan that includes closing some 120 stores through February 2017, cutting jobs and reducing spending.
Chain looks to tap into pet supplies, services, market

Livonia, Mich. -- Pet Supplies Plus is looking to capitalize on the $58 billion pet industry.

The company, the nation’s largest pet retail franchise, announced that, so far this year, it has 19 new locations in the pipeline. Newly signed agreements will bring the neighborhood pet stores to new and underserved markets including Nashville, Atlanta, Houston, Jacksonville and Denver.
Target explains chip cards to customers

New York -- Target Corp. has finished EMV conversion at the point-of-sale. And the retailer is letting customers in on the news.

The chain has posted an article, “Chip Cards at Target: Five Things You Need to Know Before You Check Out,” and related video on its blog.

In the posting, Target gives customers some advice for using chip cards, including that they leave the card in the card reader until prompted to remove it.
Target emphasizes design as it works to restore its old magic

New York -- Target is leaning on its product design and development team as its works to return to the days when shoppers flocked to "Tar-zhay" for fabulous design and inventive product, according to a report in Ad Age.

For a look inside the retailer's design lab, read the full story here.
C-store retailer to offer its first private label credit card

Altoona, Pa. -- Family-owned convenience store chain Sheetz is partnering with First Bankcard to offer its first private label credit card, the Sheetz Personal Credit Card.

First Bankcard is a division of First National Bank of Omaha and a leading issuer of credit cards.

The card is designed to be used exclusively at Sheetz stores and offers customers’ automatic savings at the chain’s fuel pumps, as well the ability to earn points on every qualifying purchase in its stores.
Walmart to stop selling assault rifles

New York -- Walmart plans to stop selling AR-15 assault rifles and other modern sporting rifles, a move the company says is motivated not by politics but by falling consumer demand.
Walgreens manages energy expenses

Deerfield, Ill. - Walgreens is taking a smart approach to energy expense management.

The retailer expanded its use of EnerNOC's energy intelligence software to manage its utility bills at more than 8,300 sites across the U.S.
Tully’s revels in mobile POS capability

Seattle – Tully’s Coffee is reveling in a new mobile POS capability.

More precisely, Tully’s has selected Revel's iPad POS systems to be deployed across 46 corporate stores located in the western U.S.

The lightweight Revel hardware decreases the amount of counter space used, connects to the cloud and seamlessly integrates with Tully's current Synergy loyalty platform. Tully’s can also track inventory, manage payroll and provide analytics in real time.