Retail

Omnichannel is omnipresent in conversations throughout our industry. I heard the term — and the angst, confusion, tests and even some initial successes around it — again and again at NRF’s 2014 BIG Show. In many cases, delivering on omnichannel is a tall order, requiring significant soul-searching for retailers in terms of what it means to them and their customers, often followed by equally significant investments in fundamental areas such as inventory management and customer relationship management systems.

Supervalu plans to host its first-ever national sales expo, Sales 4 All Seasons, this summer.

Genius Brands International has a roster of new licensing partners to create merchandise based on Stan Lee’s Mighty 7 (SLAM 7), the animated film trilogy created together with Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment and Archie Comics.

Factory Entertainment has secured a worldwide toy license for the franchise.

The shortened holiday season and cold weather that hurt many retailers didn’t faze Dick’s Sporting Good, where same-store sales are expected to be double what the company originally forecast.

The nation’s largest sporting goods retailer said same-store sales adjusted to account for a shift in the reporting calendar increased 6% compared to expectations of a 2% to 3% increase.

A little more than a month into his new job as chief merchandising officer at Family Dollar, Jason Reiser is refocusing the retailer on its discount store roots and what it means to serve cash-strapped shoppers.

Overstock.com SVP Stephen Tryon has resigned from his position to pursue interests related to his book, "Accountability Citizenship."

Demand forecasting, inventory allocation and replenishment — the unsung building blocks of every successful retail enterprise — have gained a new level of respect with retailers striving to deliver the omnichannel experience shoppers demand.

Ann Inc., parent company of Ann Taylor and The Loft, expects net sales and same-store sales to increase for the fourth quarter and full year fiscal 2013, on a year-over-year basis.

For the full year, Ann Inc. issued guidance for total net sales of $2.49 billion, reflecting a total net sales increase of 5% and a same-store sales increase of 2%.