Retail

From mobile wallets to QR codes to apps, Macy's is making all the right moves

Mobility is sure to play an increasingly important role in Macy's omnichannel future, both in commerce and marketing. But don't look for the company to take a cookie-cutter approach.

New York -- Costco Wholesale Corp. will expand its Issaquah, Wash., headquarters, according to published reports on Friday.

The Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce reported Friday that Issaquah's director of economic development, Keith Niven, said the club retailer would expand the headquarters to take up as much as 1.5 million sq. ft.

The Tacoma, Wash., News Tribune reported that the company currently takes up three buildings that are full.

Automated tools deliver on customer service and leverage operational efficiencies

Retailers are putting an increased emphasis and value on how and when they use their workforce. And in doing so, they are on the right path, according to research from The Wharton School. The study found the associate payroll was the most important factor in determining revenue. A mere additional dollar (properly applied) on labor could reap rewards of $4 to $28 in return.

Conviction records must be weighed with caution under new EEOC guidelines

The use of criminal background checks by employers is being closely watched.

Minneapolis -- Christopher & Banks Corp. narrowed its fiscal fourth-quarter loss as the company received a boost from an extra week of sales and cut costs.

The retailer posted a loss of $4.1 million for the 14 weeks through Feb. 2, compared with a loss of $53.2 million in the 13 weeks the year before.

Revenue was up 10%, to $116 million from $105.6 million. Same-store sales jumped 18.5%.

Total expenses fell 25% to $120 million.

Kearney, Neb. -- The Buckle said that its fourth-quarter net income increased 9%, topping Wall Street expectations.

For the quarter ended Feb. 2, the retailer earned $61.4 million, up from $56.1 million in the same quarter last year.
       
Net sales for the 14-week quarter ended February 2, 2013 increased 7% to $360.6 million from net sales of $337.1 million for the prior year 13-week fiscal quarter ended January 28, 2012. Same-store net sales for the quarter were flat.
 

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. has made two e-commerce acquisitions aimed at expanding its presence in the growing cooking and kitchenware market. The retailer said it has acquired CHEFS Catalog and assets of Cooking.com in two separate transactions.  

Houston -- The Men's Wearhouse Inc. posted a larger-than-expected loss for its fiscal fourth quarter. The retailer also announced that it was exploring the possible sale of its weaker performing K&G unit.

The company lost $3.4 million for the quarter that ended Feb. 2, compared to a loss of $3.8 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue rose 8.2% to $608.4 million. Revenue from Men's Wearhouse stores, which made up 61% of the quarter’s sales, rose 9.1%.