Sales & Marketing

Customers that shop at both Amazon and Whole Foods Market are the most upbeat about the online giant’s purchase of the natural foods grocer.   This was according to a new GfK report that was conducted among 1,000 US adults (ages 18 and above) using KnowledgePanel, the company’s probability-based online panel that represents the adult U.S. population. Responses were collected from June 23-26.  

Despite what is shaping up to be a rough second quarter, Hibbett Sports is making a move to streamline its operations.    Days before its second quarter ends on July 29, Hibbett Sports is blaming very challenging sales trends for an approximate 10% decrease in comparable store sales. The decline in sales, along with significant pressure on gross margin is expected to result in a loss of $0.19 to $0.22 per diluted share for the second quarter. The company will release its earnings on Aug. 18.  

A department store retailer is stepping up its mobile game — in more ways than one.   J.C Penney now accepts Apple Pay across all of its stores nationwide. This addition enables customers to electronically pay with multiple versions of the iPhone and the Apple Watch.   

Wages

USDOL Tip Pooling Rule: The Labor Department will propose rescinding its regulations for tip pooling. The Obama administration issued rules that prohibited employers from redistributing tips to non-tipped employees, such as "back of the house" workers. Business groups oppose the rule and an association-backed lawsuit is still pending in the courts.

A specialty apparel retailer is making it even easier for its customers to shop the latest looks.    Lane Bryant, a division of apparel giant Ascena Retail Group, is launching an in-store personal styling service. Called LaneStyle Studio, the program features a team of personal shoppers that will assist customers throughout their store visits.  

Rent-A-Center is being selective about potential business opportunities.   According to sources, the nation’s largest rent-to-own company brushed off takeover interest from private equity firms HIG Capital and Lone Star Funds. The snub took place prior to turning down an offer of $800 million from buyout firm Vintage Capital earlier this month, according to Reuters.  

A new Marshalls location will co-anchor the Shoppes at Apple Greene in Dunkirk, Maryland, along with Harris Teeter, according to center owners Echo Realty and Marrick Partners.   The 21,000-sq.-ft. location will be Marshalls’ first in Calvert County, due south of Baltimore, where Marshalls operates two stores.   The 48,000-sq.-ft. Harris Teeter store is under construction at Apple Greene, a new 100,000-sq.-ft. center with an additional 30,000 sq. ft. available for lease.   

Strong performance across its largest global brands, digital and international divisions lifted VF Corp.'s profits in the second quarter.    For the quarter ended July 1, VF Corp.’s revenue increased 2% to $2.4 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.289 million. While earnings per share dropped 11% to 29 cents, this still beat analyst expectations of 28 cents.   The company’s direct-to-consumer division’s revenue increased 13%. Digital revenue jumped by 34%.