Retail

Sport Chalet’s digital strategy paid off in the third quarter ended Dec. 29, which saw online sales surge 22% from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

The company reported net income for the quarter of $1.5 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1.9 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, in the third quarter of last year.

After taking a look at some of the post-holiday sales figures, it seems like maybe I was a little too pessimistic. While the overall 2013 holiday season’s sales aren’t particularly impressive, they aren’t flat, either — which is an outcome that I had worried about.

Los Angeles — PizzaRev will open its seventh location in Van Nuys, Calif., on Feb. 7. PizzaRev is a Los Angeles-based fast casual pizza chain that fires pizzas in just three minutes. Founded in 2012 by entertainment industry executives Irv Zuckerman and Rodney Eckerman.

PizzaRev announced a strategic partnership with Buffalo Wild Wings last March, and Buffalo Wild Wings will open the first PizzaRev franchise location in Sprung 2014 in Minneapolis.

Arlington, Va. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) is encouraged by passage of the Save American Workers Act of 2013 (H.R. 2575) out of the Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday. According to RILA, the act is an important first step in changing the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) definition of full-time employees from 30 hours of service to a definition more in-line with employment practices.

Mississauga, Ont. – Wal-Mart Canada plans to complete 35 supercenter projects in the company's fiscal year which runs from February 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015. The company also will expand its distribution network to support its growth and will continue to expand its Canadian e-commerce operation.  

Pleasanton, Calif. – DD’s Discounts, a division of Ross Stores, Inc., will relocate its Arlington, Texas, store on Feb. 8. The newly relocated store is in Four Corners Shopping Center.

Overall, DD’s Discounts operates 131 locations in 10 states, including 25 in Texas.

Sears Holdings has named Norman Miller as SVP and president, automotive. Miller most recently served as president and COO of Dollar Financial Corp. In his new role with Sears Holdings, he will be responsible for the company's automotive business, including Sears Auto Centers.

Washington, D.C. – Fewer U.S. consumers will celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, but will spend a little more than last year. According to the National Retail Federation’s 2014 Valentine’s Day spending survey conducted by Prosper Insights and Analytics, 54% of Americans will celebrate with their loved ones in 2014, compared to 60% in 2013.

The average person plans to spend $133.91 on candy, cards, gifts, dinner and more, up slightly from $130.97 last year. Total spending is expected to reach $17.3 billion.