Retail

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%.

Despite inclement weather this winter, Scotts Miracle-Gro’s financial results for the first quarter ended Dec. 28 showed signs of improvement.

Net sales for the quarter totaled $196.4 million, down 5% from $205.8 million during the same quarter a year ago. The company pointed to the timing of pre-season shipments to retailers for the decline.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. – Kohl's Corp on Thursday lowered its profit forecast for the fourth quarter after the retailer reported a 2% decrease in same-store sales in January.

Combined November and December same-store sales rose 0.8%, but the company said January sales were significantly lower than planned as a result of lower traffic and low levels of clearance merchandise.

Coca-Cola and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters have signed a 10-year agreement to work together on the development and introduction of Coca-Cola’s global brand portfolio for use in GMCR's upcoming Keurig Cold at-home beverage system.

Under the agreement, the companies will cooperate to bring the Keurig Cold beverage system to consumers around the world. The companies also entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement; Coca-Cola will purchase a 10% minority equity position in GMCR.

Woonsocket, R.I. – The Feb. 5 decision by CVS to stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products by October 2014 reportedly created a large volume of related discussion on social media. According to analysis from social media analysis technology provider Crimson Hexagon, as of 6 p.m. on Feb. 5, there were more than 139,000 total posts on Twitter (92% of the conversation) and public Facebook (8% of the conversation) posts mentioning CVS.

New York -- International sales from U.S. online retailers will jump from $11 billion in 2014 to almost $50 billion by 2020, which would make up 16% of the overall U.S. online retail market, according to a new report by OC&C Strategy Consultants.

Shoppers Drug Mart posted an increase in fourth quarter sales driven by gains at the front end and strength in prescription count growth.

Sales for the quarter were Canadian $2.75 billion, an increase of 0.9% compared with the year-ago period. Same-store sales increased 1.2% during the quarter.

Belmont, Calif. -- SunEdison, a solar technology manufacturer and provider of solar energy services, announced the completion of a 306 kW DC (direct current) solar system for Whole Foods Market in Brooklyn, N.Y.

SunEdison designed the system using an innovative parking canopy structure that collects rainwater while protecting customers from the elements. The two companies have worked together since 2004 and have jointly deployed 1.5 MW (megawatts) of solar projects.