Sales & Marketing

Warrendale, Pa. -- Rue21 reported Thursday that profit for the quarter ended April 28 rose 20.6% to $11.6 million, from $9.6 million in the same quarter last year.
   
Net sales increased 18.9% to $205.6 million, from $172.9 million. Same-store sales for the quarter edged up 1.7%.

Bob Fisch, president and CEO said the company is staying its small- and mid-market growth course.

Chicago -- A new study of global wealth and spending patterns by A.T. Kearney’s Global Consumer Institute projects $12 trillion in new consumer spending over the next decade, with the United States accounting for 25% of the spending growth. Spending on food will account for about 10% of the overall total.

TORONTO — Sears Canada announced that on May 25 it will unveil its new, refreshed store concept in four Ontario locations: Barrie, Belleville, Newmarket and at the Lime Ridge mall in Hamilton. These stores reflect the Company's plans to transform the Sears shopping experience in Canada.

I’ve read a few thought-provoking articles recently about the state of the retail real estate marketplace that make the observation that A malls are generally doing better while B malls are continuing to tread water—or even beginning to fade away. Once again, I have to disagree on the B malls.

By Rick Parker, [email protected]

“Is there a better job out there?”

This is a question that hourly employees within retail industry are asking themselves more frequently, often leading them to say “I quit,” to their current employer.

Consider trends from the government’s latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover survey (JOLTs):

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco reported net sales of $21.85 billion for the third quarter, an 8% increase over sales of $20.19 billion for the same period last year. Comparable-club sales for the quarter increased 5%, which consisted of a 5% increase in the United States and a 5% increase internationally. Excluding the impact of fuel, total comps were still up 5%, however U.S. comps were 4% and international comps were 8% when adjusted for gasoline inflation.

Las Vegas -- SkyVue, a 500-sq.-ft. observation wheel taking shape on the Las Vegas Strip, across from Mandalay Bay, has completed the first phase of construction, and has begun excavation on its retail and dining components.

Each side of the wheel will feature a 50,000-sq.-ft. LED screen (the largest in the world), that will host concerts, sporting events, product launches and more. The two-story shopping and dining experience will feature 140,000 sq. ft. of retail space, a 21,000-sq.-ft. convention facility and a food court.

National Amusements said it will open a six-screen Cinema de Lux at the Chestnut Hill Shopping Center in March 2013.

The new theater is designed to deliver a high-luxury experience with a full-service restaurant, premium reserved seating and at-your-seat dining.

“We’re looking forward to bringing an unparalleled movie going and dining experience to Chestnut Hill,” said Shari Redstone, president of National Amusements.