Direct To Consumer (DTC)

CVSL is a growing group of micro-enterprise companies that connect social media networks into an ever-expanding virtual community of social commerce, and it has just named Richard Holt as VP of finance and controller.

Holt has for the past two and a half years served as CFO at Agel Enterprises, which became part of CVSL last September. He previously spent five years as corporate controller for Raser Technologies in Provo, Utah. During a previous stint at Agel, he was instrumental in the early stages of that company's development.  

Fremont, Calif. - Customers in the U.S. and around the world can now shop on the Men’s Wearhouse e-commerce site and ship directly to themselves or friends and family in more than 100 countries. Men's Wearhouse says it introduced international shipping in response to customer requests to do so.  

Philadelphia -- Five Below will enter the state of Tennessee, with plans to open up to five new stores in the market by spring of this year. With this new market, Five Below will operate stores in 20 states.

Washington, D.C. – Fewer U.S. consumers will celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, but will spend a little more than last year. According to the National Retail Federation’s 2014 Valentine’s Day spending survey conducted by Prosper Insights and Analytics, 54% of Americans will celebrate with their loved ones in 2014, compared to 60% in 2013.

The average person plans to spend $133.91 on candy, cards, gifts, dinner and more, up slightly from $130.97 last year. Total spending is expected to reach $17.3 billion.

Pleasanton, Calif. – DD’s Discounts, a division of Ross Stores, Inc., will relocate its Arlington, Texas, store on Feb. 8. The newly relocated store is in Four Corners Shopping Center.

Overall, DD’s Discounts operates 131 locations in 10 states, including 25 in Texas.

Foothill Ranch, Calif. -- Mindy C. Meads has resigned from the board of directors of The Wet Seal, effective Feb. 4, in order to focus on her new role as CEO of specialty women’s apparel retailer Calypso St. Barth.

Mississauga, Ont. – Wal-Mart Canada plans to complete 35 supercenter projects in the company's fiscal year which runs from February 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015. The company also will expand its distribution network to support its growth and will continue to expand its Canadian e-commerce operation.  

Online premium-candy marketer Sugarfina has opened its first retail location, in Beverly Hills, Calif. The 1,400-sq.-ft. space is designed as a luxury candy boutique, with a large glass skylight and airy bubble chandeliers that hang like clouds in the sky. Sugarfina candy in hundreds of colors line the walls on thin floating shelves — the candy appears to be floating.
   

Lakewood, Colo. -- Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. had a strong first quarter of fiscal 2014, reporting increases in both net income and net sales. Net income rose 31.6% to $2.9 million from about $2.2 million and net sales grew 25.8% to $120.6 million from $95.8 million.

A $14.6 million increase in sales from new stores and a 10.6%, increase in same-store sales drove Natural Grocers’ net sales growth. Looking ahead, the company plans to open a total 15 stores in fiscal year 2014 and expects to remodel two existing stores.

Boston – Wayfair reported $915 million in revenue to close the year 2013, with an annual revenue growth rate of 55% and order intake exceeding $1 billion. The company said its portfolio of home brands experienced steady growth throughout 2013 capped off by strong holiday sales in the fourth quarter.