Department Store

A rededication to the basics business has Walmart’s apparel business heading in the right direction and next week, Andy Barron, EVP of softlines, will elaborate on the turnaround and winning with the Walmart customer.

New York - U.S. retail sales fell 0.4% in March, the biggest decrease in nine months, amid a slowdown in hiring and higher taxes. Excluding sales of autos, gas and building materials, core sales dropped 0.2% in March, following a 0.3% increase in January.

York, Pa. -- The Bon-Ton Stores will close its Younkers Furniture Gallery in the Lakeshore Marketplace in Muskegon, Mich., in June. The closing will affect approximately 20 associates at the location.

The Bon-Ton acquired the leasehold interests in the Muskegon Furniture Gallery store when it acquired Elder-Beerman in 2003. Bon-Ton does not expect the furniture gallery’s close to affect operations at the Younkers department store located in The Lakes Mall.

INDIANAPOLIS — Frigidaire and Hhgregg are encouraging customers to get more organized through a special sweepstakes offering daily prizes and Frigidaire’s french door refrigerators through April 27.

Throughout the sweepstakes a $100 gift card will be awarded daily. Frigidaire french door refrigerators in 28 cu. ft. and 27 cu. ft. sizes will be awarded to the grand prize and first and second prize winners, respectively.

NEW YORK — JCPenney is turning to Blackstone Group to help raise cash and better position itself financially, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The company is reportedly seeking $1 billion in cash, according to the Wall Street Journal, which added that options could include selling a minority stake. Penney already has been in contact with several private equity firms about a potential investment, according to the report.  

LOS ANGELES — Guess has appointed Hillary Super as SVP, general merchandise manager for, reporting to Paul Marciano, co-founder and CEO.

"We are delighted to have a leader like Hillary at Guess.  She understands the Guess brand and values, and will lead a team of talented merchants," said Paul Marciano. "Her relentless focus on brand integrity, execution, and on the customers has allowed her to grow great businesses, and her accomplishments as a leader are exemplary."

NEW YORK — L.Brands, parent of Victoria's Secret, reported better-than-expected 3% sales in same-store sales for March. Zumiez Inc. and Buckle Inc. also both reported better-than-expected numbers.

But other retailers were hampered by a colder-than-normal March, which caused many shoppers to put off buying warmer-weather clothing, and an early Easter. At The TJX Companies, same-store sales fell 2% in March, a bigger drop than was expected.

By Ellis Verdi, president of the NYC advertising agency DeVito/Verdi

Here are the five lessons I learned from the J.C. Penney debacle — unfortunately we knew all of this before Ron took his ideas to market.