Corporate Governance

Despite the challenging economic landscape and a decrease in firearms sales, Cabela’s comparable store sales for the third quarter ended Sept. 28 increased 3.9% — the company’s eighth consecutive quarter of comp store sales increases. Excluding firearms, comparable store sales increased 5.3%.

Sam’s Club opened four new 136,000-sq.-ft. units this week expanding its base of clubs to a record 630 units.

The new clubs are located in Owasso, Okla., Fall River, Mass., and Mansfield and Corpus Christi, Texas. The latter is a relocation of a 20 year old club. These opening follow the addition of three new clubs earlier in the month in Aiken, S.C., Romeoville, Ill., and Edmond, Okla.

Coupons.com has appointed former Safeway executive Mir Aamir as the company’s CFO and COO.

Arkansas is home to some fine barbeque establishments, but Sam’s Club home state was shut out last week when the top prizes were handed out in the retailer’s third annual National BBQ Tour.

Carter’s, parent company of Carter's and OshKosh B'gosh, reported record sales in the third quarter, driven primarily by growth in the company’s Carter's brand and international businesses.

“Our growth reflects the strength of our brands and multi-channel business model,” said chairman and CEO Michael D. Casey. “We believe we are well-positioned with strong product offerings and compelling promotions heading into the holiday season and expect to achieve our growth objectives this year."

The Walmart Foundation gave $2.5 million to Share Our Strength to help the hunger relief organization educate people about eating healthy on a budget.

A unique perspective into the holiday season was provided by leading payments processor Vantiv when the company reported strong third quarter results but expressed reservations about the volume of activity during the fourth quarter.

The company said its third quarter revenues increase 14% to $532 million and net income on an adjusted basis increase 17% to $80 million compared to $68.1 million while adjusted earnings per share increased 25% to 40 cents from 32 cents.

Free standing inserts remain a popular promotional vehicle, but weakness in other aspects of the Valassis business model have CEO Rob Mason vowing major changes after a third quarter sales decline.

Beauty retailer Sephora has appointed former Sears Canada and Loblaws executive Calvin McDonald as president and CEO of Sephora Americas, effective Jan. 1, 2014.

McDonald succeeds David Suliteanu, who has led Sephora since July 2000. Suliteanu is becoming the CEO of Kendo Brands, a separate LVMH entity, which creates new beauty brands, as well as acquires brands. The Kendo portfolio today includes brands, such as Ole Henriksen, Kat von D, Formula X and Marc Jacobs Beauty, with others in development.

GNC plans to make some major supply chain investments in 2014, including opening a fourth distribution center serving domestic stores, located near Indianapolis, following strong results for the third quarter.

The company reported a net income increase of 17.3%, from $62.2 million to $73 million.

Revenue grew about 9%, from $621.6 million to $675.6 million. Same store sales increased approximately 6.7% in domestic company-owned stores, including GNC.com sales, in the quarter, while in domestic franchise locations, same-store sales increased 5.9%.