Sales & Marketing

Stein Mart is preparing to launch its e-commerce business. The company expects the initiative to have a negative bottom line impact this year, in part, because of startup costs.

For the second quarter ended Aug. 3, however, the company is enjoying total sales of $291 million, up 3.8% from the prior-year quarter. Comparable store sales increased 6.4%. 

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Ross Stores credited strong sales and merchandise gross margin for its better-than-expected results for the second quarter ended Aug. 3.

The company reported earnings per share of $.98, up from $.81 for the prior-year quarter — a 21% increase on top of a 27% gain in last year's second quarter. Net earnings for the 2013 second quarter grew to $213.1 million, up 17% from $182 million in the prior year.  

-ADVERTORIAL-

TREVOSE, Pa. — E.p.t, creator of the home pregnancy test, is spreading brand awareness via social media, by launching a contest on Twitter for Labor Day, which celebrates moms in labor.

Five grand prize winners will receive a $500 “push present” for giving birth on Labor Day, courtesy of the home pregnancy test brand. 

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation issued the following statement from VP for government affairs public relations J. Craig Shearman in reaction to the Federal Reserve’s announcement Wednesday that it will appeal a U.S. District Court judge’s ruling that the cap it set on debit card swipe fees in 2011 was too high.

New York — Finest Café & Marketplace has leased a storefront at 46 Trinity Place, between Edgar and Rector Streets in New York City’s financial district.

 It will be the casual dining and take-out restaurant’s fifth Manhattan location. Faith Hope Consolo, chairman, Joseph A. Aquino, executive VP, and Arthur Maglio of Douglas Elliman’s Retail Group represented the landlord and tenant.

ORLANDO — Walmart is kicking off its official start to the holiday season Friday, Sept. 13, with a no-fee layaway program.

Woonsocket, R.I. — CVS Caremark has opened a 150,000-sq.-ft. fulfillment center in Mt. Prospect, Ill. It will support the CVS Caremark Pharmacy Benefit Management book of business. The $67 million facility can fill 50 million prescriptions annually. Proprietary technology at the facility automates 90% of the dispensed prescriptions and 80% of the prescriptions packaged for mailing. On-site pharmacists visually check all of the prescriptions.