FINANCE

Dollar General on Thursday reported better-than-expected fourth quarter sales and earnings and said it planned to raise compensation and increase training for store managers.   The discounter also said it plans to open approximately 1,000 stores and remodel or relocate 900 existing stores in fiscal 2017.   

1-800-Flowers.com’s latest business move puts the company in a strategic position to more cost-effectively expand its assortment.     The gifting retailer said Wednesday that Ferrero International S.A will acquire the company’s Fannie May Confections Brands, including its subsidiaries Fannie May Confections and Harry London Candies.   

After solid start to the year, retail is now back in softer growth territory. While the 2.1% rate of overall expansion is not disastrous, it is much lower than the past few quarters and is largely the result of higher gas prices which buoyed sales at gas stations by 15.8%. The pure retail number is more concerning, with the 0.8% increase being the slowest growth recorded since February 2013.  

Changes are coming to Christopher & Banks Corp.   On the heels of a 7.8% decrease in its fourth quarter sales, the women’s apparel retailer is launching a new merchandising strategy  that include a bigger focus on fashion over core items.   Christopher & Banks also will review styles on a weekly basis to identify emerging trends and mark down slower-moving products, said interim president and CEO Joel Waller on the company’s quarterly call with analysts.   

Williams Sonoma Inc. on Wednesday reported adjusted fourth-quarter earnings above expectations and said its board of directors authorized a dividend increase.   In a separate announcement, the company said Sandra Stangl, president of its Pottery Barn brands, will resign from the company March 31. http://www.chainstoreage.com/article/leadership-changes-home-furnishings-retailer  

The delay of tax refunds helped keep consumer spending in check on February.   Retail sales in February inched up 0.2% seasonally adjusted over January, according to the National Retail Federation. (The NRF numbers exclude automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants.)   The industry’s performance in February was mixed. Electronics and appliance stores took the biggest hit, with sales falling 2.8% over the previous month.   

Neiman Marcus posted another quarter of declines for its second quarter.   For the period ended January 28, 2017, the chain reported total revenues of $1.40 billion, a decrease of 6.1% compared to $1.49 billion for the second quarter of fiscal year 2016. Comparable revenues decreased 6.8%.   

There is another development in Walgreens’ quest to acquire Rite Aid.