Sales & Marketing

New York - A pre-tax restructuring charge of $17.3 million during first quarter 2014 in connection with its previously announced strategic realignment was a major factor in a year-over-year net income decline at Ann Inc. Net income for the quarter totaled $5.2 million, down 66% from $15.4 million in the first quarter of the previous fiscal year.

Total net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 were $590.6 million, up 3% increase from sales of $574.5 million in the year-ago period. Total same-store sales dropped 1.8%.

Express plans to close approximately 50 stores during the next 36 months, primarily at the end of their leases, following a weaker-than-expected first quarter.

The company’s profit dropped to $5.08 million, from $32.4 million a year earlier. Sales decreased to $460.7 million, from $509.4 million, while Same-store sales fell 11%.

Charlottesville, Va. — Firehouse Subs has signed a 2,264-sq.-ft. lease for its first location in Charlottesville, Virginia — at 100 Shoppers World Court.

Divaris Real Estate’s Richmond, Virginia, office represented Firehouse Subs in the transaction. Divaris (www.divaris.com) has represented Firehouse in the site selection and lease negotiations for the majority of its Hampton Roads sites and for several locations in the greater Richmond area.

New York - Imports to the U.S. were up in April from March. According to data from supply chain research firm Panjiva, April 2014 showed levels of imports that were 9% higher than imports in April 2013. The numbers of these shipments coming into the U.S. changed 11% from March 2014 to April 2014.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. -- Keep it simple — that’s secret to Dollar General's success Rick Dreiling, chairman and CEO of the 75-year-old company said at its shareholders annual meeting.

"Simple neighborhood stores, simple, frequently-needed items and everyday low prices," he said. "For 75 years, [Dollar General has focused] on helping low- and middle-income families save money and save time by offering quality, basic merchandise at affordable prices in convenient, small-box neighborhood stores."

Chicago - GimmeAnother, creators of a mobile application that allows consumers to re-order, has unveiled its Save to Mobile technology, a service that allows retailers to offer customers the ability to save products directly onto their mobile devices. Customers browsing a retailer website that has partnered with GimmeAnother can now click the Save to Mobile button next to an item to push that product to their personalized mobile cart on the GimmeAnother app for later re-ordering via smartphone.

Pure Leaf Iced Tea, a product from the Pepsi Lipton Tea partnership, is expanding its partnership with television personality Gail Simmons to support the brand's "Share the Love of Leaves" program.

Fans of the beverage can pitch in to make a difference in their communities, and up to $150,000 will be donated to Wholesome Wave, a nonprofit that focuses on making fresh and healthy food affordable and accessible to all people.

Nashville, Tenn. – Genesco Inc. reported net earnings of $13.97 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, down 3% from $14.41 million in the same quarter of the prior fiscal year. A jump in selling and administrative expenses drove the net earnings decline.

Meanwhile, net sales rose 6% to $629 million, from $591 million. Same-store sales grew 1%. Genesco expects a low-single-digit same-store sales increase for the full fiscal year.