Retail

By Jason Taylor, Ph.D., [email protected]

89 Degrees, a customer engagement agency that leverages data and analytically driven strategy for maximum ROI,  announced that will be presenting at the Demandware XChange Conference in Las Vegas with two clients: Fila, a leading athletic apparel and footwear brand, and international luxury brand Crabtree & Evelyn.

89 Degrees’ presentation, “The Case for Cross-Channel Loyalty Programs”, will take place at the Conference on Thursday, April 4. 

New York -- The International Council of Shopping Centers on Friday applauded the adoption of an amendment to the fiscal year 2014 Senate Budget Resolution. The amendment gives states the authority – if they so choose – to require online sellers to collect sales taxes just like brick-and-mortar retailers already do.

Fourth quarter same store sales increased 3% at Dollar General as the company capped of another record year and indicated it would open 635 stores this year.

Total sales for the company’s 13 week fourth quarter ended February 1, increased 0.5%, to $4.21 billion compared to $4.19 billion during the 14 week fourth quarter the prior year. Excluding the extra week from the prior year’s fourth quarter, sales would have increased 8%. The company said its same store sales increase was driven by consumables and a mix of increased transaction size and customer traffic.

Minneapolis -- Shortly after abandoning buyout possibilities of his former company, Best Buy co-founder and former chairman Richard Schulze announced Monday that he is returning to the retailer as chairman emeritus.

Schulze, who is Best Buy’s largest shareholder, is nominating two former Best Buy executives to join him on the board: former CEO Brad Anderson and former COO Al Lenzmeier.

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. -- Mid-America Asset Management said it has signed three furniture/home décor stores to retail locations in Chicago’s suburbs of Oak Brook and McHenry as well as downstate in Bloomington, Ill.

Ashley Furniture signed a lease for 31,573 sq. ft. at Colonial Plaza in Bloomington, Ill., with plans to open in spring 2013. Ashley Furniture will co-anchor the 236,460-sq.-ft. center along with Kmart and OfficeMax.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General announced that Susan Lanigan, EVP and general counsel, has decided to retire from Dollar General later this year after nearly 11 years with the company.

PANAMA CITY — U.S.-based Vitamin Shoppe has opened its first international franchised Vitamin Shoppe store in Panama City, via franchisee, Reprico. The retailer operates more than 600 retail locations across the United States.

"Our grandparents were pioneers in Pharmacy in Panama," said Marta Ferrer, director retail Stores for Reprico. "We are excited to open a store that can help people feel better and live healthier with the best quality products."