Supply Chain & Merchandising

Slowing mall traffic continued to slow Dillard’s sales in the fourth quarter.   Net income for the quarter ended January 28, 2017, was $56.9 million compared to net income of $84.0 million in the year-ago period. Included in the amount is an after-tax asset impairment of $4.2 million on a cost method investment.   Net sales for the period were $1.94 billion, down from $2.07 billion last year. This missed analyst estimates of $1.999 billion.  

Restaurants are the current darlings of the shopping center developers. It was reported last year that Americans spent more money at bars and restaurants (a total of nearly $55 billion) than they did on groceries. In case you were wondering how big a deal that is, consider this: It was the first time in recorded history that that was the case. But that’s not the only reason that shopping center owners are mad for restaurants. They are also hubs of social activity that contribute to that all-important and often elusive experiential energy.  

Amazon’s new convenience store may not have cashiers, but a new product category will require someone to check shopper IDs.   Along with its sandwiches, salads and snacks, Amazon plans to sell beer and wine from its AmazonGo store in Seattle, Recode said.   

UPS is the latest company to try its hand at drone deliveries.   The delivery company has successfully tested a drone on Monday, Feb. 20, in Lithia, Florida. Called an octocopter drone, the device launches from atop of a UPS package car, autonomously delivers a package to a home, and then returns to the vehicle while the driver continues along the route to make a separate delivery.   

Walmart on Tuesday reported a solid fourth quarter amid a big increase in online sales and higher store traffic. The company also announced it is raising its dividend.   Walmart earned $3.76 billion, or $1.22 per share in the quarter ended Jan. 31, compared with $4.57 billion, or $1.43 per share, in the year ago period. Walmart’s earnings were impacted by investments in its digital business as it continues to boast its defenses against Amazon and other online competitors.    

As retailers expand the breadth of their omnichannel operations, they need better visibility into their financial data.   This is not an easy task for retailers like Tailored Brands, whose expansive retail portfolio includes Men's Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank, Joseph Abboud, Moores Clothing for Men and K&G Fashion Superstore. The company also operates a global corporate apparel and workwear group consisting of Twin Hill in the U.S. and Dimensions, Alexandra and Yaffy in the U.K.  

The Home Depot is closing in on the $100 billion mark in annual sales. 

The Atlanta-based retailer posted a 6.4% increase in same-store sales in the United States, and 5.8% overall, for the quarter ended Jan. 29. 

CEO Craig Menear credited merchandising mix and digital prowess for the chain’s better-than-expected fourth quarter performance, which saw sales increase to $22.2 billion in the fourth quarter, up 5.8% from 21.0 billion in the same quarter last year.

Dick’s Sporting Goods is expanding its breadth.   The chain is preparing to open five stores during the second week of March, a move totaling approximately 180,000 sq. ft. of retail space.    Specifically, a new Dick’s Sporting Goods will open in the Glendale area of Queens, New York, in one of the former Sports Authority locations that the company took over late last year. Another Dick’s store will open in Hinesville, Georgia.