Sales & Marketing

An improvement in delinquency rates helped Conn’s in December, as the company reported an 11.5% increase in total net sales.

Conn’s total sales, which the company reported at $132.4 million, were impacted approximately 7% by tighter consumer finance underwriting, the company said, which was implemented in response to rising credit delinquencies and defaults. The action improved 60-plus-day delinquency rates in December by 30 basis points over November, the company reported. The company also said same store sales edged up only 0.5% due to plummeting tablet demand.

Cincinnati -- In response to changes in “where the customer is headed,” Macy’s chief announced on Thursday a sweeping reorganization plan that will close 14 under-performing stores, lay off thousands of workers and, most far-reaching, ready the retailer to respond to an omnichannel shopping environment.

New York – Aeropostale did not deliver strong holiday sales in 2014. Total net sales for the nine-week period ended Jan. 3, 2015 decreased 11% to $507.8 million, down 11% from $572 million in the 2013 holiday season

Same-store sales, including the e-commerce channel, decreased 9%. The company said profit margins during the holiday period were higher than expected and same-store sales were within original guidance for the quarter.
 

Regional discounter Fred’s strong pharmacy sales weren’t enough to help the company avert a 1.4 percent same store sales decline for the month.

Pittsburgh – Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. is reportedly considering the step of taking itself private. According to Reuters, Dick’s is in the preliminary stages of conversations with several buyout firms.

However, there is currently no formal plan to sell the company and Dick’s may not ultimately move forward with the plan. In the third quarter of fiscal 2014, Dick’s reported a 9% increase in net sales but 2% drop in net income. The company declined to comment.

Costco showed again in December why it’s the cream of the crop among warehouse club stores.

The Wash.-based retailer reported an increase of 8% in same store sales in the United States, excluding gasoline sales and foreign exchange. Same-store sales at international stores rose by 1%.

Net sales for the retailer rose 5% to $12.12 billion in December from $11.53 billion a year earlier.

Matthews, N.C. – Higher sales of discounted, low-margin items did not necessarily add up to a happy holiday season for Family Dollar Stores Inc. The company missed Wall Street expectations for both net income and net sales during the first quarter of fiscal 2015, even as Dollar Tree and Family Dollar both continue making preparations for a multi-billion-dollar takeover this year.

Retailers will hear a lot about innovation at the National Retail Federation convention this year, but the most innovative thing many will see is the trade group’s latest effort to elevate the industry’s profile.