Research Topic

CINCINNATI — Febreze has launched a collection of scents specifically designed for the bedroom. The brand has partnered with the National Sleep Foundation and actress Alyssa Milano to promote healthy sleep habits, with a focus on adult bedtime routines that help you relax. 

CHICAGO — The Hillshire Brands Company has signed an agreement to acquire the maker of Golden Island jerky products.

Terms were not disclosed, and the transaction is expected to close by the end of the month, pending closing conditions.

Brentwood — GBT Realty Corp. has added four new members to its team.

Ivan Lozina, a 20-year industry veteran has been appointed senior construction manager. Lozina will oversee construction management for new developments in the Shopping Center Division. Prior to joining GBT, Lozina spent 17 years at Benderson Development Company, managing the construction of more than 20 million square feet of commercial real estate.

Memphis, Tenn. -- Fred's Inc.’s fiscal second-quarter net income fell to $3.3 million from $6.1 million because of a hefty tax benefit a year ago. The company’s adjusted results showed improved profitability, helped by increased customer traffic, higher traffic and lower costs.

The retailer cautioned, however, that its lower-income customers are still feeling economically pressured. Fred's said that it anticipates the operation environment will be challenging in the second half of the year.

As if competing against Target, Best Buy and Amazon.com isn’t challenging enough, nationwide the fast-food “strike” which took place Thursday offered a glimpse of the type of headline-grabbing, disruptive activities Walmart can expect from its opponents this holiday season.

New York -- Analysts project that Francesca’s, a junior apparel and accessories retailer, will have the retail industry’s fastest rates of growth during the next three years, Bloomberg reported.

Francesca’s plans to expand to 900 stores, or double its current store count, in the next seven years.  The chain is projected by analysts to grow sales by 80% during the next three years, faster than any other apparel retailer, according to the report.

Dallas -- Zale Corp. narrowed its net loss in the fourth quarter to $8 million, from $19.7 million a year ago. Despite the loss, the retailer reported its first profitable fiscal year since the financial crisis in 2008.

Oberlin, Ohio - College students budgeted an average of $447.75 for back-to-college shopping, not including textbooks. However, a recent student panel survey conducted by OnCampus Research, the research arm of indiCo, a division of the National Association of College Stores, shows that despite considering price the most important factor in back-to-school purchases, college students do not always follow or even create a budget.