Sales & Marketing

Philadelphia – Urban Outfitters saw its net income decline 20% to $37.08 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, from $47.06 million in the first quarter of the previous fiscal year. This significant net income drop came despite a 6% jump in total net sales to $686.3 million, from $648.2 million.

Net income and sales totals both came in below Wall Street expectations. Total same-store sales remained flat. Higher marketing expenses, which helped boost net sales, contributed to the decline in net income.

Despite seeing increases in net income and sales for the first quarter, TJX — parent company of TJ Maxx and Marshalls — experienced weakness in apparel sales and missed analysts’ expectations.

Net income for the quarter was $454.32 million, compared to $452.89 million from the prior-year quarter. Net sales increased 5% to $6.49 billion from $6.19 billion, but were weaker-than-expected — analysts were anticipating $6.6 billion.

Same-store sales remained flat.

Framingham, Mass. – Staples Inc. attributed a 44% drop in net earnings during the first quarter of fiscal 2014 to lower sales caused by store closures and a rise in the value of the dollar. Net earnings of $96 million were 44% below net earnings of $170 million reported a year earlier.

PayAnywhere, a professional grade mobile point-of-sale solution from North American Bancard, has released PayAnywhere Storefront, its free touchscreen tablet and stand with built-in credit card reader. PayAnywhere Storefront provides new simple pricing, security protection and advanced business analytics.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. plans to open 30 new China-based stores and remodel 55 of its 400 existing stores there during 2014, as well as open new China distribution centers. The China activity is part of Wal-Mart’s larger three-year plan for growth in the country.

Wal-Mart will spend $93 million on the store remodeling. The activity this year will be the first major initiative from new China CEO Sean Clarke.

Product lifecyle and reverse logistics leader Genco has appointed Jeremy Witte as chief operating officer for its wholly owned subsidiary, Genco Marketplace.

New York - Nearly a quarter of packages purchased online and tested during a six-month period did not meet the basics for adequate shipping. In a study spanning six months of data, conducted from October 2013 to March 2014, StellaService Analysts placed 2,855 orders with 125 leading online retailers to measure the quality of the shipping and returns experience.

Minneapolis – Tony Fisher, president, Target Canada, is departing the company. Mark Schindele, senior VP merchandising operations, will assume the role of president, Target Canada.