Corporate Governance

Dallas – The global Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL) market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.03% during the period 2013-2018. According to a new report from Sandler Research, one of the key factors contributing to this market growth is the reduction in labor costs.

The global Electronic Shelf Labels market has also been witnessing the increasing demand for ESL by retail stores. However, Sandler Research advises the increasing competition among vendors could pose a challenge to the growth of this market.

Walgreens has appointed Timothy McLevish as Walgreens EVP and CFO. He will report to president and CEO Greg Wasson, and lead all of Walgreens’ finance functions as the company prepares to move forward with the proposed second step of its strategic partnership with Alliance Boots.
 

Asheville, N.C. – Ingles Markets Inc. swung to a profit of $13.83 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 from a net loss of $14.42 million in the third quarter of the prior fiscal year. The elimination of debt refinancing costs from the previous fiscal year helped push Ingles Markets into the black.

Net sales rose 5% to $978.26 million from $934.01 million. Same-store sales increased 2.1%, benefiting from an Easter shift to the third quarter of fiscal 2014 from the second quarter of the previous fiscal year.

Sandra Gudat, President & CEO, Customer Communications Group

Retailers often have trouble balancing their overall promotions plan with offers and discounts for their loyalty program. In fact, it may be enough of an issue that they keep loyalty as an independent P&L entity, or even steer clear of loyalty altogether to avoid the problem. After all, every retail business is about profit, and adding another layer of promotional discounts into the mix could be seen as a threat to the bottom line.

Seattle - Attribution analytics company Tune has acquired MobileDevHQ (MDHQ), provider of a SaaS solution for mobile marketers. The MDHQ solution includes app store visibility, search rankings, and competitive intelligence.

Combined with MobileDevHQ, Tune will provide more clarity into the impact and influence of app stores and other organic efforts on paid user acquisition and re-engagement. Existing MDHQ customers will continue to login as before, view their existing data, and otherwise continue using the current MDHQ product during the transition.

New York -- Aeropostale, Inc. will roll out its P.S. from Aeropostale brand in Mexico through a licensing partnership with Distribuidora Liverpool, S.A. de C.V.  

P.S. from Aeropostale's expansion plans in Mexico include the opening of branded in-store shops in Liverpool department stores, as well as standalone stores, across Mexico beginning in summer 2014. The first store opened in July at Sante Fe Mall in Mexico City.

Irvine, Calif. -- Whole Foods Market and the Irvine Company announced that the companies have signed a lease to bring the first Whole Foods Market to Irvine, California.

The organic and natural grocer will occupy approximately 40,000 sq. ft. at Los Olivos Marketplace, a specialty shopping center just off the 405 freeway at Irvine Center Drive in Irvine Spectrum.

Redwood Shores, Calif. – Specialty supplements retailer PureFormulas recently migrated to Oracle Commerce to personalize the customer experience and open up new market segments without sacrificing ease of use.