Sales & Marketing

Washington, D.C. -- Online shopping is showing rapid growth compared to the rest of the retail trade sector, with the number of establishments growing 27.4% between 2011 and 2012, according to new U.S. Census Bureau statistics released today. Drawn from County Business Patterns: 2012, the new data provides the only detailed annual information on the number of establishments, employees and payroll for nearly 1,200 industries at the national, state and county levels.

Issaquah, Wash. – Costco Wholesale Corp. reported 3% year-over-year net income growth in its third quarter, to $473 million from $459 million in the year-ago period, as sales and membership fees improved. However, it came in short of the roughly $482 million in profit analysts had expected.

Net sales for the quarter increased 7% to $25.23 billion, from $23.55 last year.

A new cash rewards program rolling out nationwide at Sam’s Club June 12 is the latest enticement to encourage members to opt for the retailer’s $100 Plus membership level.

Plus members will automatically be enrolled in the program on June 12 and receive $10 in cash rewards for every $500 spent with the potential to receive an annual maximum payout of $500. The rewards load automatically onto membership cards and are restricted to use at Sam’s Club 635 locations or online.

Memphis, Tenn. – Fred’s Inc. cited higher income taxes as contributing to declining net income in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. Net income totaled $6.1 million, down 46% from $11.4 million in the same quarter in the previous year.

Fred's total sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 were $498.3 million, down slightly from $501.5 million for the first quarter last year. Same-store sales for the quarter declined 1.9%.

Walmart president and CEO Doug McMillon was among the dozens of high-profile business executives from the world of technology who participated in the inaugural Code Conference this week. Organizers of the event, which cost $6,500 to attend, made available a brief video of McMillon’s comments on a wide range of topics.

Emeryville, Calif. - Jamba, Inc., parent company of Jamba Juice, is partnering with DanceOn, a YouTube network exclusively dedicated to dance entertainment, to execute a digital campaign to inspire customers to participate in the "Blend in the Good" summer dance video contest. From now until Aug. 31, the online contest will encourage dance enthusiasts to submit unique videos.

Off-price department store operator Gordmans reported another quarter of weak sales under the control of private equity ownership as its searches for a full-time CEO and eyes e-commerce expansion in 2015.

Hamilton, Bermuda -- It’s official: Signet Jewelers Ltd. has completed its acquisition of Zale Corporation for $21 per share in cash and a total consideration of $1.46 billion. Zale shareholders approved the acquisition by its longtime rival on May 29.

With the deal completed, Signet now operates over 3,600 locations under the retail banners of Kay, Jared, and Zales in the United States; H.Samuel and Ernest Jones in the United Kingdom; and People's in Canada. Signet also now operates kiosks in the United States under the Piercing Pagoda banner.