Retail

Despite severe weather that caused a 0.7% decrease in January sales, Stein Mart looks like it will report its seventh consecutive quarter of comparable-store sales increases when it closes the fourth quarter.

January sales were fueled by strong sales in linens, ladies' boutique and gifts, while jewelry, ladies' sportswear and men's performed lower than the chain. Geographically, January sales were strongest in Florida and the West, while most other areas experienced comparable sales declines due to winter storms combined with record cold weather.

New York – 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%.

Mark Panzer, president and CEO Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy, will be leaving the company to pursue an opportunity at Sears Holding.

Panzer will be in charge of pharmacy operations at Sears Holding and will direct the health and wellness initiatives across K-Mart pharmacy as SVP and president pharmacy.

Dave Maher, a longtime Pharmaca board member and fellow chain drug veteran, will be serving as interim CEO as Pharmaca searches for a new candidate. Maher's experience includes time as president of American Stores Company and CEO Osco Drug.  

Oklahoma City -- Hobby Lobby announced it will open 70 stores throughout the United States in 2014, for a total of 625 locations nationwide.

The arts and crafts retailer said that as part of its expansion it will enter the states of Vermont and Oregon this year.
 

By Bob Russo, general manager, PCI Security Standards Council

With the latest attacks at big name retailers, the pressure is on for businesses of all sizes to demonstrate that they’re doing whatever it takes to keep their customers’ confidential information safe and out of the hands of the bad guys. But with headlines changing every day on what actually happened and how, many retailers are unsure of where to begin making changes.

Topshop/Topman plans to open a 40,000-sq-ft. flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York. The new Manhattan store will be located on the corner of 49th Street, and is adjacent to Rockefeller Center.

Sidney, Neb. - Cabela’s Inc. has named Donna M. Milrod to its board of directors. Milrod has been the chief administrative officer of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) since October 2012, with responsibilities for DTCC’s finance, operations, regulatory relations, business continuity, vendor management, and security functions.

San Francisco-based One Kings Lane, an online destination for the home, has appointed Arun Rajan as chief technology officer.

In his new role, Rajan will lead end-to-end technology delivery, data infrastructure and site operations to support the growth and evolution of One Kings Lane.

Rajan joins alongside chief product officer David Yu, who joined One Kings Lane in mid-2013.