Corporate Governance

Starbucks Corp. reported first quarter earnings and same-store sales that topped expectations. But the coffee giant gave a soft earnings outlook for its current quarter.

Starbucks reported better-than-expected earnings of $687.6 million for the period ended Dec. 27, 2015, down from $983.1 billion a year earlier. The prior-year period was boosted by a hefty $391 million gain related to a joint venture.

Revenue rose 12% to $5.37 billion. Analysts had forecast $5.39 billion in revenue.

Macy’s announced that a Bloomingdale’s store will open in spring 2017 in Kuwait as part of the company’s strategic partnership with Al Tayer Group LLC.

This will be Bloomingdale’s second international location (the first opened in Dubai in 2010) and ahead of Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s stores scheduled to open in Abu Dhabi in 2018 – all in partnership with Al Tayer.

San Antonio, Texas -- InvenTrust Properties Corp. announced that it has acquired Sonterra Village Shopping Center, a newly constructed, 42,492 sq. ft. shopping center located in San Antonio, Texas, for approximately $21.5 million.

Ahold USA on Wednesday announced net sales of $26.4 billion for the full year of 2015, an increase of 1.4%.

Ahold USA successfully converted the 25 acquired former A&P stores during the quarter. Identical sales excluding gas were up 1.6%, positively affected by competitor store closures in the New York Metro market. Market share for the fourth quarter and full year increased compared to last year, as the chain added a net 20 stores in 2015 to 788 locations.

Guitar Center's annual drumming competition has crowned another winner, drawing celebrity musicians and music lovers from all over the United States for the big event.

2016 will be a year when many niche innovations in customer experience will become mainstream as consumers expect more out of their shopping experiences, forcing traditional retailers to step up or risk becoming irrelevant. Marketplace buzzwords and emerging trends, such as personalization and seamless mobile access, will become table-stake elements of the customer experience.

Here are ways retailers will take their customer experience to the next level:

Personalization

Sam's Club is teaming up with a national nonprofit dedicated to mentoring small business owners to launch the 2016 American Small Business Championship.

The SCORE competition is open to small business owners and entrepreneurs from coast to coast with one winner receiving a $25,000 grand prize.

Travelers dashing through the Salt Lake City International airport in need of travel-friendly clothing and gear have a new oasis courtesy of Brookstone.

The specialty retailer unveiled a new format, called Carry On, at the SLC Delta Terminal. The store offers the "best brands in travel gear,” according to the company.