Retail

Brisbane, Calif. – Bebe Stores Inc. reported a net loss of $24.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, an improvement from the net loss of $49.3 million recorded in the same quarter a year earlier.

However, net sales were $93.5 million, a decrease of 17.2% from $112.9 million for the third quarter a year ago.

Same-store sales for the quarter decreased 5.7%.

Bebe stores cited various factors, among them severe weather conditions that caused 136 store closures, the shuttering of 19 unproductive stores and the timing of Easter in late April, as contributing to its 17.2% net sales decrease in the third quarter from the prior-year quarter.  

Net sales dropped to $93.5 million from $112.9 million for the third quarter a year ago. Comparable store sales for the quarter decreased 5.7%. The sales decrease, according to the company, was also fueled by one fewer retail week in January in the current fiscal year.

Bentonville, Ark. - At an event with President Barack Obama, Walmart announced that it will double the number of on-site solar energy projects at its U.S. stores, Sam’s Clubs and distribution centers by 2020. The commitment is part of Walmart’s global initiative to drive the production or procurement of 7 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable energy by the end of 2020.

Walmart has gotten the green light to build its drive-in grocery center in Bentonville, Ark., near the intersection of S. Walton Blvd. and J St., according to an article in The City Wire.

The article reported that Bentonville’s Planning Commission approved Walmart’s request “to approve slight variations in its parking stall depths, number of curb cuts and the building materials . . . with no discussion.”

New York -- Amazon has expanded its Sunday delivery service to 15 additional cities. The service launched last year in the Los Angeles and New York metro areas.

Interactions, a leading global integrated sales and marketing programs developer, has appointed David Zierman as director of insights.
 
Based in San Diego, Zierman will lead the company’s market research efforts including managing primary data collected via Mystery Shopping, Customer Intercept Surveys, Web Based Surveys, electronic customer satisfaction surveys (bottom of the receipt surveys) and Retail Audits. He will be responsible for the organization’s P&L as well as business development and operations.
 

San Francisco -- Revel Systems, a leading provider of iPad point-of-sale solutions, has opened its first pop-up store, in historic Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco. The initiative is a joint effort between Revel Systems and PopUpShopUp. The Revel pop-up is designed as a multi-use space hosting a variety of QSR & retail businesses that Revel has invited to be given the opportunity to have a physical store for the first time.

Rue La La, a leading online lifestyle shopping destination, has launched DressingRoom, a series of boutiques that offer members a one-stop shopping experience the features everything from necklaces and vases to linens and dresses.

DressingRoom offers cross-channel inspiration via themed boards and how-to content. The series kicks off this month with "Bright & Bohemian," followed by "Minimalist Whites" and then "Weekend Casual" throughout the month of June.