Displays & Signs

IRVING, Texas — Michaels Stores reported a second quarter same-store sales increase of 2.9% driven by a 3% increase in transactions and a positive impact of 0.9% from deferred custom framing revenue partially offset by a 1% decrease in average ticket.

Net sales for the quarter increased 4.1% to $892 million from $857 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2011.

Net income for the quarter increased 30% to $13 million, and as a percent of net sales increased 20 basis points to 1.4%.
   

LOS ANGELES — Reality TV personality, Kristin Cavallari has partnered with Chinese Laundry for a capsule footwear collection composed of pumps, platforms, booties and flats available at retail this December.

"My love for shoes is no secret.  To have been able to work with Chinese laundry as a web ambassador and now as a designer has truly been a dream come true," said Cavallari.  "It was important to me to create a collection of shoes that is not only fun and versatile, but also price friendly and comfortable."

The marketing team at Jack Link’s Beef Jerky has outdone themselves with a clever and lighthearted brand-building effort that plays off the presidential election. The company is asking consumers to vote for their favorite “meathead,” a two-foot-by-three-foot likeness of president Barack Obama and challenger Mitt Romney made from various types of jerky.

NEW YORK — Revlon, along with its Global Artistic Director Gucci Westman, will co-host the ultimate "glam" party during New York’s Fashion’s Night Out on Sept. 6 to celebrate Revlon’s 80 years as a beauty icon.
 

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us is taking aggressive steps toward becoming a bigger player in the highly competitive baby products market, by expanding its offerings under the Babies"R"Us brand.

The company has introduced a new infant feeding line and an expanded assortment of bedding and room decor, food, formula, snacks and other essentials and now offers customers more than 1,600 products.

NEW YORK — Nine West has launched a new YouTube network called Channel 9 that will feature premium programming and user-generated content.

The retail industry, yours truly included, has had a watchful eye on J.C. Penney ever since CEO Ron Johnson took over and announced his plans to revamp the iconic retailer. Many experts have shared their concerns over the new direction and, as the second quarter numbers would indicate, cause for concern is clearly warranted. With overall sales plummeting nearly $1 billion dollars, and earnings plunging from an expected $41 million profit to an $81 million loss, the company is down $1.7 billion in sales and $260 million in earnings in the first half of the year, compared to 2011.

NEW YORK — Stacy London, host of TLC's "What Not To Wear," will serve has host during New York & Company's Fashion's Night Out event on Sept. 6.

The retailer's participation in the event will include an in-store DJ at its 58th & Lexington Store, who will spin music while London and her team help style customers.

Walmart will offer its holiday layaway 30 days earlier this year and extend the program to more product categories, the company announced Monday.

MINNEAPOLIS — Caribou Coffee Co. announced it will be expanding its retail and commercial footprint in the Chicagoland area by teaming up with supermarket operator Jewel-Osco, which is part of the Supervalu company.

Caribou Coffee opened its first retail location within Jewel-Osco's Barrington store last week, with plans to introduce two additional coffeehouses in the grocery's Hoffman Estates and Countryside locations in the near future, as well as five additional coffeehouses within Jewel-Osco in 2013.