Winter Holidays

Many retailers have pointed to a persistent and severe winter for weak holiday and fourth-quarter sales. But according to the National Retail Federation (NRF), retail sales rebounded in February.

The NRF said that February retail sales, excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants, increased 0.2% adjusted month-to-month and 2.3% unadjusted year-over-year.

Genesco chairman, president and CEO Robert J. Dennis said that the company’s overall fourth-quarter results were lower than expected, thanks to inconsistent sales patterns and severe winter storms that affected its key markets.

All is not grim, however, as the company is making investments to bolster its omnichannel capabilities, which Dennis expects will protect near-term profitability and allow the company to expand its retail footprint.

Atlanta -- Severe winter weather hindered shopping activity in February, according to First Data Corp.'s SpendTrend report, which tracks same-store POS data by credit and debit cards, closed loop prepaid cards, EBT, and checks from the nearly four million retail locations serviced by First Data.

Consumer spending was also restrained by the termination of emergency unemployment insurance, a reduction in food stamp benefits and low-income growth, First Data said.

San Jose, Calif. – EBay is making updates to its seller performance standards and returns policy designed to promote and safeguard top-level sellers and also ease returns.

eBay is making updates to its seller performance standards and returns policy designed to promote and safeguard top-level sellers and also ease returns.

Following disappointing fourth-quarter sales, the Bon-Ton Stores president and CEO Brendan L. Hoffman has notified the company’s board of directors that he will not renew his employment agreement with the company when it expires Feb. 7, 2015.

Hoffman also plans to resign as a director of the company.

A little more than a month ago, Robert Hanson resigned as CEO of American Eagle Outfitters, following disappointing holiday sales, and caused shares to drop 10%. Shares dropped again, nearly 7% this time, following what the company called “highly disappointing” fourth-quarter results.

Jelly Belly Candy Co. makes more than 100 different flavors of jelly beans, but in celebration of St. Patrick's Day, it's showing some special attention to its green Jelly Belly beans. There are 17 green varieties in all, each containing its own special flavor.

San Francisco – Gap Inc. had a disappointing February 2014 as net sales and same-store sales declined, compared to the same month in the prior year. Net sales fell 4% to $929 million from $966 million, while same-store sales dropped 7%.

San Francisco -- Shopper activity cooled off in February 2014 as a result of extremely cold weather across the country. According to in-store retail analytics provider Euclid, analysis of data from tens of millions of domestic shopping sessions indicates that general merchandise, apparel, furniture and other (GAFO) retail sales grew by a modest 0.7% year-over-year.