Seasonal

Hibbett Sports says strong expense control and footwear sales helped the retailer increase earnings in the third quarter.

The Alabama-based sporting goods retailer reported that for the third quarter ended Oct. 31, profit was $18.7 million, or 79 cents a share, up from $16.9 million, or 67 cents, a year earlier. Revenue increased 4.6% to $228.3 million. Same-store sales increased .6%.

A familiar name factors heavily into the online holiday shopping plans of consumers.

According to a new poll from Reuters and Ipsos, 51% of consumers plan to do most or all of their online holiday shopping at Amazon.com. This dwarfs the next-most-popular specific retailer, Walmart, favored by 16%.

Other traditional and online retailers combined for the second-highest response of 18%. Other popular retailers with low responses include Target (3%) and Macys (2%).

Retailers looking to satisfy customers this holiday season need to be sure all channels are aligned and working properly.

The new "2015 Connected Shoppers Report” of more than 2,000 adults commissioned by Salesforce and conducted by Harris Poll demonstrates that in order to succeed, retailers need to accelerate digital transformations to provide personalized, one-to-one customer journeys.

(Photos courtesy of Toys 'R' Us)

More robust omnichannel capabilities have Best Buy CEO Hubert Joly confident about his company’s ability to execute during the holidays, but his views on overall demand for consumer electronics are another matter.

There is a new lifestyle publication in circulation — and it’s the product of two diverse companies.

Real estate developer Simon has joined with media company Conde Nast to produce a 98-page publication – Simon Magazine – designed to provide readers with the latest must-haves and must-dos, from fashion and beauty to dining and travel. It’s the first time Conde Nast has worked with a brand to create custom editorial content on such a wide scale.

The CEO of Kirkland's blamed disappointing third quarter sales on traffic problems that he expects to persist into the fourth quarter despite the busy holiday season ahead.

Stein Mart says warm weather is to blame for its lackluster performance in the third quarter as the company makes plans to increase promotions to improve its top-line growth.

The off-price retailer said that for the third quarter ended Oct. 31, same-store sales fell 2.3%. Total sales also dropped 1% to $300.7 million during the same time period. Profits dipped to $82.2 million, or 27.3% of sales compared to $84.6 million or 27.8% of sales during the same time period in 2014.