Winter Holidays

Kohl’s has joined other major retailers this week reporting disappointing earnings and anemic same store sales growth.

The Wisconsin-based retailer posted a profit of $130 million in the second quarter ended Aug. 1, below the $232 million in the prior-year quarter. Earnings per share were 66 cents, compared with $1.13 in the second quarter of 2014. Same store sales grew a measly 0.1%. Overall revenue increased by just 0.6%, to $4.27 billion for the quarter.

Hhgregg says it is trying to get ahead of an ever-earlier holiday shopping season by starting to hire seasonal employees now.

The retailer plans to hire more than 550 full-time and part-time in-store sales associates. As the holiday shopping season continues to tiptoe earlier into the calendar year, Hhgregg is looking to have their stores fully staffed and associates trained and ready to greet shoppers getting a jump on the holiday rush.

Indianapolis -- The calendar may read August, but Hhgregg is already looking to firm up its holiday hiring.

The appliance, electronics and furniture retailer announced it is hiring 550 full-time and part-time in-store sales associates. As the holiday shopping season continues to tiptoe earlier into the calendar year, Hhgregg said it is looking to have their stores fully staffed and associates trained and ready to greet shoppers getting a jump on the holiday rush.

Washington, D.C. — Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 3.6% in August 2015 from the same month in 2014 as retailers begin to bring in merchandise for the holiday season. According to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates, imports for the year are expected to be up 4.2% from 2014.

Toys"R"Us is headed to a galaxy far, far away with its next promotion.

Minneapolis – Consumers who want to purchase an Apple Watch will have a new option as of Friday, Aug. 7.

 On that date, Best Buy will become the first national retailer, other than Apple Stores, where customers can buy the Apple Watch.

It will begin to arrive in more than 100 Best Buy stores and will also be available on BestBuy.com. Another 200 Best Buy stores will have the Apple Watch in time for holiday shopping.

A month after the launch of the Apple watch, Best Buy will become the first national retailer to stock the new wearable.

The watch will be available in more than 100 Best Buy stores and on BestBuy.com. By the time holiday season arrives, an additional 200 stores will feature the watch.

“The Apple Watch is a big addition to our stores and website, and we know our customers want it,” said Jason Bonfig, senior category officer at Best Buy. “We are excited to bring the Apple Watch to more consumers, especially with the holidays coming up.”

Bronto Software has released the 2015 version of its popular Holiday Resource Center to help retailers optimize marketing strategies and drive sale growth.