Retail

Stein Mart posted strong sales in October, driven partly by upgraded designer and national brands. Total sales for the four-week period ended Nov. 2, increased 6.9% and comparable-store sales increased 5.4%.

For the third quarter ended Nov. 2, total sales increased 6.1% and comparable-store sales increased 4.8%.

Houston – The Eminence Capital hedge fund has reportedly purchased a 9.8% stake in Men’s Wearhouse. According to the New York Times, Eminence Capital wants Men’s Wearhouse to reconsider the $2.3 billion buyout offer it recently rejected from Jos. A. Bank.

Eminence reportedly believes Jos. A. Bank is willing to make a higher bid if Men’s Wearhouse will consider it. The fund manages about $4.5 billion. Neither Eminence nor Men’s Wearhouse has commented publicly on the purchase.

Wayne, N.J. – Toys “R” Us is debuting the Toys"R"Us Toy Channel, the company's revamped and updated YouTube channel. The channel launches with eight playlists, segregating content by topic to showcase in-demand playthings and new products, interviews with toy industry experts, current commercials from the beloved brand and top toy manufacturers, and more.

Dallas -- The Container Store Group, Inc. has completed its IPO of 14.375 million shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $18 per share, including 1.875 million shares sold in connection with the full exercise of the option to purchase additional shares granted to the underwriters.

Payvision, an independent payment services provider, has added JCB Card to its global payment portfolio. As the only international payment card brand based in Japan, JCB has a strong presence in Asia, while processing secure payment transactions for its expanding network of 24 million merchants worldwide.

Austin, Texas – Whole Foods Market disappointed Wall Street analysts with its fourth quarter results despite posting increases in net income, sales and same-store sales. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, Whole Foods posted net income of $121 million, up 7% from $113 million in the same quarter a year earlier.

Target created A Bullseye View a little more than two years ago as an innovative digital platform to achieve a deeper level of engagement with those who have an interest in all things Target. Billed as a behind-the-scenes magazine, A Bullseye View was recently relaunched to incorporate new features and functionality to build upon its original mission.

New York – Merger and acquisition (M&A) activity was strong in the retail and consumer industry during the third quarter of 2013. Data from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) shows that transaction values on M&A deals in the retail/consumer sector rose 112% compared to the same quarter a year earlier.