Sales & Marketing

Strong results in its PBM business provided a boost during CVS Health’s fiscal third quarter, with the retailer reporting a 23.6% increase in net earnings to $1.5 billion.   Revenue increased 15.5% to $6 billion for the period ended Sept. 30.   

Consumer electronics and appliance retailer Hhgregg came up short in its second quarter.    It also exited the Wisconsin market.     The company reported a loss of $18.4 million for the quarter ended Sept. 30, with a loss of 66 cents per share. Losses, adjusted for non-recurring costs and asset impairment costs, came to 51 cents per share. The results fell short of Wall Street expectations.  

A pure-play retailer is letting brides say "yes to the dress” in the comfort of their own home.  

Cataloger and online retailer Ballard Designs, a division of HSN, Inc., is looking to engage customers with a new retail experience that emphasizes customization.   

Toys “R” Us is looking to shake up its store experience.   The retailer has opened a new “experience-driven” prototype in Santa Ana, California, near South Coast Plaza, The Orange County Register reported.      

Watch out Hallmark. A popular British greeting card  and stationery brand has designs on the U.S. market.   Paperchase is planning to open two freestanding stores in the United States next year, both in Chicago, The Telegraph reported.         Currently, the brand supplies Target and Staples with private-label greeting cards.      

Dollar General is rolling out extended store hours, exclusive digital coupons and online-only discounts to woo holiday shoppers this year.   The retailer has announced that its holiday season plans will begin this week with a special discount for military-affiliated shoppers on Friday, Veterans Day.  

Macerich’s tech-driven, HGTV-sponsored Santa Claus experience will be expanded to five properties in California, Chicago, and metro New York this Christmas season.   Kids can download an Elf-Ray Vision app to their smartphones—or used a provided tablet — to explore “Santa HQ” in 3D, take an Elfie Selfie to insert themselves in a customized holiday video, or test their gift-worthiness on the Naughty or Nice O’Meter. A 10,000-bulb synchronized light show at the attraction plays the Carol of the Bells.