Sales & Marketing

Newport Beach, Calif. -- Engaged Capital, an investment firm specializing in small and mid-cap North American equities and stockholder of Abercrombie & Fitch Co., has named five nominees for the Abercrombie & Fitch board of directors. The nominees are Alexander P. Brick, former CEO of Specialty Retail Group; Robert D. Huth, former CEO of David’s Bridal; Michael W. Kramer, former COO of J.C. Penney; Diane L. Neal, former CEO of Bath & Body Works; and Glenn W. Welling, CIO and managing member of Engaged Capital.

Severe weather in the fourth quarter did not prevent Conn’s from reaching its sales objectives, but increases in wholesale television prices affected electronics sales.

St. Petersburg, Fla. – HSN Inc. reported gains in net income and sales during the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2013, compared to the same periods a year earlier. During the quarter, HSN’s adjusted net income increased 7% to $59.9 million from $56 million, while net sales increased 4% to $1.02 billion from $982.9 million.

Rapid expansion of Nordstrom Rack stores and strong sales at the off price division enabled the department store retailer to exceed its fourth quarter profit forecast.

The company said same store sales at Rack increased 3.6% on top of a price year increase of 7.1% while sales at full line stores declined 3.3% after increasing 2.2% last year.

Danbury, Conn. - Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. has appointed Daniel R. Bradley as its senior VP, Furniture Group. Bradley will lead the merchandising and manufacturing operations for the furniture group.

Bradley’s career in the home furnishings industry includes his most recent role at Furniture Brands International Inc. where he served as president designer brands. Prior to assuming that role, Bradley served as the president and CEO of Ferguson Copeland Ltd. and previously was president of Baker, Knapp and Tubbs.

One of the bright spots in Walmart’s otherwise dismal fourth quarter was an online business that grew 30% to $10 billion and is forecast to exceed $13 billion this year.

Every executive participating in the company’s prerecorded earnings call Thursday morning spoke in some form or fashion about key digital initiatives and Walmart’s unique capabilities in the area of e-commerce. For example, Walmart president and CEO Doug McMillon sees an environment in which the company has the potential to create transformative growth in global e-commerce and mobile commerce.

Minneapolis -- APG Cash Drawer LLC is releasing the BluePro Bluetooth interface for cash drawers. Now available for purchase through APG's distribution partners, the BluePro Bluetooth interface will enable cash drawer control via Bluetooth communication and allows retailers to wirelessly synchronize and create a one to one relationship between the cash drawer and tablet.      

Engaged Capital, an investment firm specializing in small and mid-cap North American equities and stockholder of Abercrombie & Fitch Co., has named five nominees for the Abercrombie & Fitch board of directors.

The nominees are Alexander P. Brick, former CEO of Specialty Retail Group; Robert D. Huth, former CEO of David’s Bridal; Michael W. Kramer, former COO of J.C. Penney; Diane L. Neal, former CEO of Bath & Body Works; and Glenn W. Welling, CIO and managing member of Engaged Capital.