eCommerce

The Container Store’s net income soared by about 800% year-over-year during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, to $18.34 million from $2.09 million. A substantial drop in effective tax rate, as well as lower net interest expense, helped drive the impressive growth in net income.

Net sales slipped from $217.02 million to $216.82 million, while same-store sales climbed 1.4%. The company cited severe weather as reducing sales.

Although bad weather hurt some retailers during the crucial fourth quarter, it didn’t stop Michaels Stores from seeing comparable store sales increase 4.6% for the period ended Feb. 1.

Comparable store sales were driven by a 4.2% increase in the company's average ticket and a 0.5% increase in transactions, partially offset by a 10 basis point impact from deferred custom framing revenue.  

Net sales increased 2% to $1.55 billion from $1.52 billion during the quarter, which had a 53rd week that generated an estimated $66 million in net sales.

Carle Place, N.Y. – A shift in the Easter holiday from the third to the fourth quarter and severe weather negatively impacted financial results at 1-800-Flowers.com during the third quarter of fiscal 2014. 1-800-Flowers reported a net loss of $1.42 million, compared to net profit of $2.64 million in the prior fiscal year.

Net sales dropped 9% to $139.92 million, from $144.55 million.

Omaha, Neb. — A private California buyer has purchased a 20,134-sq.-ft. Natural Grocers in Omaha, Nebraska. Mid-America Real Estate Corp. represented the seller, a private developer, in the transaction.

Mid-America Real Estate Corporation is a member of Mid-America Real Estate Group, a ChainLinks affiliate headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. The company is the Midwest’s leading full-service retail real estate organization with offices in Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Detroit.

New York -- Amazon has opened a Wearable Technology store on its website, which it describes as a one-stop shop where customers can discover the latest in wearable technology and research wearable devices including activity trackers, smart watches and wearable cameras.

Ann Arbor, Mich. - Domino's Pizza is releasing its ordering app for iPad. Domino's new app will offer users access to the full national menu, coupon search and location-based store locator, like in its current iPhone, Android, Windows Phone 8 and Kindle Fire ordering apps.

The app will also allow direct access to track an order using Domino's Tracker, the company's digital order tracker, and Pizza Profiles, which allows customers the ability to save information and reorder in as little as five clicks, or about 30 seconds.

New York -- Forever 21 will debut a new retail concept on May 3, at Azalea Shopping Center in South Gate, California. Called F21 Red, the format will offer fast-fashion and low prices.

The new concept will offer a larger selection of starting price points, including $1.80 camisoles and $7.80 denim for women and girls, according to a report by California Apparel News. The men’s selection will include T-shirts and tank tops for $3.80.

Overstock.com is now offering insurance for vehicle, residential and small businesses on its online shopping site.