Retail

Advance Auto Parts announced its CEO is stepping down as the retailer also reported a decline in third quarter profit and nearly flat same-store sales.

The auto parts retailer reported that for the third quarter ended Oct. 10, same-store sales increased .5%. Profit declined 1.4% to $120.5 million, or $1.63 per share. Revenue ticked up slightly to $2.3 billion.

When your retail operation is already the size of a small city and you’re planning growth, maintaining communications is a critical task.

Bloomington, Minnesota-based Mall of America, which spans four levels and 5.5 million-sq.-ft. of retail space (plus parking ramps, service corridors, etc.) and is seeking to expand, faces that exact situation. The mall, home to 520 stores, more than 50 restaurants, an indoor theme park and other attractions, is switching from an analog communications system to the Motorola Solutions Mototrbo digital two-way radio system.

The “digital revolution” has turned the traditional retail marketplace upside down. Consumer expectations continue to rise and the Internet has broken down borders and created a global marketplace, dramatically increasing competition.

Amazon.com has expanded its Prime Now restaurant delivery service to Los Angeles in a move seen as a precursor to expansion of the food ordering capability to all 18 market where the one-hour Prime Now delivery service is offered.

Musicians are notoriously individualistic people, and specialty instrument retailer Guitar Center is launching a redesigned website with this user base in mind.

Westlake Village, California-based, 270-store Guitar Center has launched a new redesigned website with a more seamless omnichannel user interface. Based on the current Oracle Commerce platform, the redesign is the result of a two-year initiative that involved customer insight and user experience teams, both of whom worked together with end-users and consultants.

Target's board of directors has added a former executive of the retailer's largest supplier.

The board announced it has elected Melanie Healey, former group president, North America, of the Procter & Gamble Company, as a new director, effective immediately.

Experts and regular folks alike are puzzled by the uproar over Starbucks’ holiday cup design, the Associated Press reported. Even New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan sounded a curious note, saying "I don't think it's like Starbucks had the Christmas crib on their cups to begin with.” [Associated Press]

Nordstrom joined Macy's this week in blaming weak traffic for its disappointing same store sales as the Seattle-based chain also lowered its full-year guidance.

Nordstrom Inc. said that for the third quarter ended Oct. 31 same store sales increased .9%. It posted earnings of 57 cents per share on $3.33 billion in revenue. And net sales increased 6.6 percent.