eCommerce

RediClinic convenient care clinics has named a seasoned healthcare executive as its new CFO.   Jeff Fields is joining Health Dialog, provider of population health management services, and RediClinic as CFO. He will be responsible for the fiscal management of both RediClinic and Health Dialog as they continue to grow in the total population management services and retail health care markets.   

Sprouts Farmers Market Inc. reported second-quarter net income of $37.2 million, which topped Wall Street expectations.    The natural and organic food retailer posted revenue of $1.03 billion in the period, narrowly missing Street forecasts of $1.04 billion, but topping last year’s sales by 14%.   Same-store sales grew 4.1% in the period.

Michaels purchased the rights to Hancock Fabrics’ brand and intellectual property for $1.3 million from U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware.    The Texas-based crafts retailer takes possession of its ex-rival’s patents and trademarks, as well as its name. Personal and transactional data from 10 million Hancock customers was included in the deal, according to the Memphis Business Journal.  

Costco's comparable sales for the month of July declined 2%, with a 3% decrease in U.S. a 3% rise in Canada and other decreases internationally.  

HSN’s CFO and COO is taking a new job, but she won’t have to travel far.   Judy Schmeling has assumed the helm of the Cornerstone Brands division of HSN, which consists of home and apparel banners such as Frontgate, Garnet Hill, Grandin Road and TravelSmith.    Schmeling, who will continue to report to HSN CEO Mindy Grossman, will maintain her COO position at HSN, and she will remain CFO until a successor is appointed.  

Just three months after its proposed acquisition by Staples ran into regulatory roadblocks, Office Depot unveiled its plans for the future as a standalone retailer.   In its second quarter financial filing, the chain announced it would close an additional 300 stores during the next three years, a move that is anticipated to help cut annual costs by some $250 million by the end of 2018. Office Depot is also planning to cut costs by reducing procurement and general and administrative costs.    

Ninety-three percent of consumers are starting their back-to-school shopping before classes begin and receipts promise to be strong for stores.   Three-quarters of the 2,000 shoppers surveyed by JLL recently said they planned to spend between $100 and $500 on school purchases, and most of those transactions figure to take place at brick-and-mortar locations. Only 19% said they’d buy supplies online and just 25% figured to look to the Web for apparel.  

Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts’ foray into mobile rebates is part of the 850-store chain’s strategy for reaching millennials. The retailer has partnered mobile shopping app provider Ibotta to offer cash-back rebates on in-store purchases, something Jo-Ann’s feels will build loyalty among the millennial set.   The multi-year partnership will provide users with special offers and cash-back options at any one of Jo-Ann Stores retail locations.