Sales & Marketing

Foot Locker Inc. continues to cash in on the trend toward wearing fashionable active apparel, as the company reported impressive sales and earnings growth in its latest quarter.

For the second quarter ended Aug. 1, the retailer posted net income of $119 million, or 84 cents per share, compared with net income of $92 million, or 63 cents per share, last year, a 33% increase. Same store sales increased 9.6%. Total sales increased 3.3%, to $1,695 million this year, compared with sales of $1,641 million for the corresponding prior-year period.  

Pittsburgh — Michael Leedy, chief marketing officer of American Eagle Outfitters Inc., will step down from his position effective Sept. 15, 2015. The company has an active search for a successor underway.

Leedy has committed to serve in an advisory role if needed to ensure a smooth transition. American Eagle did not comment on the reason for Leedy’s departure, and his LinkedIn profile still indicates he works there.

New York & Company Inc. says a stronger focus on omnichannel is helping the retailer increase traffic in its stores and sales online.

Dodgeville, Wis. — Lands’ End has announced a new omnichannel fall marketing campaign which includes a catalog strategy, complementary digital initiatives and an overall brand advertising campaign.

Lands’ End will kick off the new strategy with the introduction of different initiatives including two new lifestyle campaigns, Quality.Time and A Closer Look at the Land. Each will be featured online and in catalog format.

The Fresh Market is not so fresh anymore to shoppers, if the retailer's second quarter results are any indication.

The upscale grocery chain reported that same-store sales decreased 1% for the second quarter ended July 26, and the retailer expects an even bigger decrease in the next quarter, both below analysts' estimates. 

The company reported 36 cents EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ estimates of 40 cents. Net income rose 53.5% to $17.5 million, while net sales increased 4.7% to $442.1 million. 

Mahwah, N.J. — Ann Inc. is no more. 

Ascena Retail Group Inc. has completed its acquisition of Ann Inc., formerly called Ann Taylor. Shares of Ann Inc. will be delisted from the NYSE and trading  ceased at the close of business on Friday, August 21st.   

Greensboro, N.C. – The Fresh Market Inc. did not meet Wall Street expectations for profit or revenue in the second quarter of fiscal 2015. The grocer reported net income of $17.47 million, up 53% from $11.39 million the prior period.

Higher gross margin and pretax income drove profit growth. Net sales increased 5% to $442.1 million from $422.23 million, and same-store sales decreased 1%. The Fresh Market plans to open 18 new stores and remodel or refresh nine to 10 stores during the full fiscal year.

Cyber security professionals have somewhat resigned themselves to the fact that data breaches are inevitable and placed an emphasis on how to manage a highly fluid situation.

After last year’s large retail data breaches, the industry has doubled-down on efforts to protect customer records. Most retailers now have data breach response teams in place and leaders have called for increased industry collaboration on cybersecurity. However, the threats continue to evolve and effectively managing security incidents requires constant evaluation.