Home Improvement

There was a lot for Home Depot executives to like about the company’s third-quarter performance. The company reported sales growth of 6.1% and net earnings growth of 14.1%.   Beyond the numbers, here are some of the key takeaways form the company’s presentation to investors.   • Digital growth

Ikea continues to expand its use of renewable energy.   The retailer plans to install the largest rooftop solar array in the state on Illinois on its distribution center in Joliet.   

Weakness in apparel helped make for a disappointing third quarter for J.C. Penney Co. as the retailer cuts its forecast amid sliding sales.   On the positive side, Penney said sales trends improved in October, fueled by increasing momentum behind its new appliance business.  

Neil Saunders, CEO of retail insights and consulting firm Conlumino, comments on J.C. Penney’s results for the third quarter in which sales came in under forecasts.   “After a good run of growth, J.C. Penney has faltered this quarter with both total and comparable sales slipping into negative territory. While the company is now overlapping some tougher prior year comparatives, this is nonetheless a disappointing outcome that takes the shine off some of the recent progress made under its recovery program.  

Lumber Liquidators has not had much luck getting its top executives to stick around as of late.   The company's chief compliance officer, Ray Cotton, quietly resigned in May of 2015.   Then, in November, it elected John Presley as chief executive -- the second time that year it had to change CEOs.  

LG Electronics is taking its LG Signature brand on the road, opening a pop-up at Santa Monica Place in Santa Monica, California, Nov. 8 through Nov. 13.   The LG Signature Gallery concept was officially launched in Manhattan’s Rockefeller Center earlier this fall. Similar to the New York City concept, the LG Signature pop-up structure on the West Coast is created entirely of LED panels on all four sides.   

Story, the innovative retail store in Manhattan that totally reinvents itself every few months, is ready for the holidays with a one-stop shopping experience that offers something for everyone.    For its new installation, “Home for the Holidays,” the store has reconfigured its space into a series of designated rooms that correspond to different recipients on a shopper’s list: a living room for her, a library for him, a playroom for the kids, and a kitchen with something for everyone.   

As a teaser for its Thanksgiving Day opening, Kohl’s is launching a one-day Black Friday sale Wednesday, Nov. 3.   Available in-store and on its website, Kohl’s will feature one day of Black Friday deals for shoppers eager to get a jump on their holiday shopping. The program supports its holiday tagline, the “First Place to Stop and Best Place to Shop.” Featured merchandise includes Serta gel memory foam mattresses, 50-inch LED TVs, inflatable hot tubs, and appliances, such as food processors, among other merchandise.