Corporate Governance

Tyco opens customer experience center for Walmart with simulated store environment
Bentonville, Ark. -- How important is Walmart to Tyco Retail Solutions Inc.? Important enough that Tyco has built a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the giant retailer.

Located in Bentonville, Arkansas, the Walmart Retail Experience Center features a simulated retail environment and showroom where the retailer’s executives from around the globe will have access to resources and capabilities aligned to Walmart’s growing global footprint. It is Tyco’s first center built exclusively for one client.
Starbucks asks employees to mind customer stock stress
Seattle – In the aftermath of the Ferguson riots, Starbucks Corp. asked store employees and managers to be extra sensitive to customers who may be feeling emotional about racial issues. Now Starbucks is asking workers in stores to show financial sensitivity.

According to Fusion, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz sent an internal email to employees and managers in stores asking them to recognize and respond to customers who are experiencing stress and anxiety resulting from the recent global stock market crash.

Best Buy beats Street in electrifying Q2

Minneapolis – For the second quarter in a row, Best Buy Co. Inc. beat Wall Street expectations for profit and revenue with large-screen TVs and mobile phones providing a major boost to its results.

Best Buy reported net income of $164 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2016, up 12% from $146 million the same period the previous fiscal year.
The Children’s Place has rough Q2

Secaucus, N.J. – Specialty apparel retailer The Children’s Place Inc. saw its net loss grow and net sales drop in a difficult second quarter of fiscal 2015.

Net loss increased to $13.7 million, from $10.7 million in the same quarter a year earlier.

Higher selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses, as well as several non-recurring items including legal fees, impairment charges and restructuring costs, helped push The Children’s Place further into the red.
DSW meets Q2 profit, misses sales

Columbus, Ohio – DSW Inc. met Wall Street expectations for profit but did not grow revenues as much as projected during a mixed second quarter of fiscal 2015.

Costs and expenses increased at a slower rate than sales, allowing net income to improve 9% to $37.61 million, from $34.33 million in the prior year period. Net sales increased 7% to $627.2 million, from $587.1 million. Same-store sales rose 1.8%.

Mike MacDonald, president and CEO, also attributed rising profits to merchandise selling strategy.
Best Buy is winning again

Recent turmoil in the stock market hasn’t dimmed Best Buy’s outlook for the third quarter while the release of better than expected second quarter results has validated the company’s strategy, according to CEO Hubert Joly.

Strength in categories such as major appliances, large screen televisions and mobile phones, offset by weak tablet sales, helped Best Buy achieve a 2.7% domestic same store sales increase and pushed revenues up 3.9% to $7.9 billion during the second quarter ended August 1. Online comparable sales increased 17%.
DSW's new strategy pays off in second quarter

DSW says its investments in becoming a more “customer-centric” company are paying off, as the retailer reported sales and earnings growth in the second quarter.
Target to pay millions in hiring discrimination case

Target Corp. has agreed to pay $2.8 million to resolve a hiring discrimination claim filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
The Children's Place no longer the place for shoppers?

Traffic problems and increased discounts led specialty apparel retailer The Children’s Place Inc.
The Children's Place no longer the place for shoppers

Specialty apparel retailer The Children’s Place Inc. saw its net loss grow and net sales drop in a difficult second quarter of fiscal 2015.
For back-to-school, Lands' End also offers parenting advice

Just in time for back-to-school, Lands' End has a new partner for bringing moms and dads the latest information on parenting and child development, enabling them to get back into the new school year with ease.

The retailer is teaming up with the Child Mind Institute to create digital content that helps parents raise strong, compassionate and curious kids.
Instacart now delivering in another major city

Fast growing e-commerce firm Instacart is now delivering groceries to a 17th major U.S. metropolitan area.

Beginning this week, customers can order from Whole Foods Market, Costco (no membership needed), Marsh Supermarkets, Georgetown Market and Petco stores and have everything delivered by Instacart in as little as one hour.