Sales & Marketing

Milan, Italy – Google Glass may not be dead, after all. According to the Wall Street Journal, global vertical eyewear retailer Luxottica Group is partnering with Google to release a new version of Google Glass in the near future.

With the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs underway, what better way for Sears Canada to spark interest in its product assortment than the addition of a brand inspired by a player who on-ice exploits earned him the best nickname ever.

Beginning this fall, Sears Canada said it will introduce “#99 The Wayne Gretzy Collection” of casual menswear. Gretzy, for those who don’t know is a hockey legend and the all-time leading scorer by a wide margin.

Seattle – Increases in expenses including fulfillment, marketing and technology helped swing Amazon.com to a net loss of $57 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 from net income of $108 million the same quarter a year earlier. Amazon met Wall Street expectations with the loss.

Amazon fared better with net sales, which increased 15% to $22.72 billion from $19.74 billion. In North America, net sales grew 24% to $13.41 billion from $10.08 billion.

The new focus on health and wellness merchandise at Kohl’s gets a big boost this week with the addition of an exclusive Gaiam women’s apparel collection.

The retailer has been greatly expanding its assortment of active lifestyle and wellness offerings through brand launches, partnerships and unique social integrations that further the company’s commitment to active and well lifestyles promoted under the Make Your Move initiative launched earlier this year.

Amazon.com’s sales growth in the first quarter continued to outpace the overall e-commerce growth rate, especially Web services, but expenses related to interest and currency exchange caused the online leader to report a $57 million net loss.

Total sales for the quarter ended March 31 increased 15% to $22.72 billion but a strengthening of the U.S. Dollar caused a $1.3 billion currency exchange headwind. On a constant currency basis, which is how global retailers like to analyze their business, sales increased 22%.

O’Reilly Automotive says it plans to build a new distribution center in Texas to help support its 205 new stores in 2015.

America’s second largest retailer in the automotive aftermarket industry said its expansion plans are on track after profit rose in the first quarter on higher sales and better margins, continuing a trend of 15% or greater profit growth for the past six years.

Sidney, Neb. -- Cabela's Inc. saw profit rise 6.9% to $27.5 million in the first quarter, topping Wall Street expectations. Revenue of $827.1 million, a 14% increase, also exceeded Street forecasts.

By segment, retail store revenue increased 18.9% to $524.4 million; direct revenue decreased 3.3% to $173.5 million; and Financial Services revenue increased 24.7% to $122.9 million.

During the period, consolidated same-store sales decreased 1.3%.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin’ Brands Group had a slam-dunk first quarter, with first quarter profit growth of 11.7%, a revenue increase of 8.1%, and U.S. same-store sales growth of 8% in its Baskin-Robbins unit. The Dunkin’ Donuts segment saw same-store sales climb a more modest 2.7%.

The chain added 79 net new restaurants worldwide during the quarter, which included 78 Dunkin Donuts in the U.S.