Supply Chain & Merchandising

An “intense focus” on brand-building and improved product assortments led True Value to post a loss in the first quarter.

The retailer-owned hardware cooperative posted a net loss of $1.7 million, down $2.6 million compared to net margin of $0.9 million from a year ago. The company said the net margin decrease was driven by planned investment expense incurred in connection with the implementation of the strategic plan and was partially offset by a sales increase.

The earlier Easter holiday put a damper on traffic at L Brands’ stores, which reported a 1% drop in same store sales for May.

But the retailer reported an overall 1% increase in sales to $724.6 million for the four weeks ended May 2, compared to net sales of $717.6 million for the four weeks ended May 3, 2014. The company reported net sales of $2.512 billion for the 13 weeks ended May 2, an increase of 5% compared to sales of $2.391 billion for the 13 weeks ended May 3, 2014. Same store sales for the 13 weeks ended May 2, increased 5%.

Staples and Microsoft are launching an innovative program that pairs customers with the right Windows device to suit their needs.

The new program is called Microsoft Match and be available exclusively on www.staples.com/microsoftmatch and in select Staples stores.

Chicago -- HRC Advisory, a strategic retail advisory firm and unit of Hilco Global, announced that it has promoted Farla Efros, an accomplished retailing and merchandising strategist, to the position of president. She will continue to report to Antony Karabus, CEO of HRC Advisory.  

St. Louis -- Schnuck Markets will begin construction of a new estimated $100 million, state-of-the-art distribution center at NorthPark in Kinloch in north St. Louis County. The 915,000-sq.-ft. center is expected to be completed in summer 2016.

Kohl's shoppers have responded so well to store pickup for online orders that the retailer is rolling out the service to all 1,164 of its stores in the United States.

New York -- Kohl’s Corp. has rolled out a buy online, pick-up in store service to all Kohl’s stores nationwide, allowing customers to pick up their orders within hours at their local Kohl’s store.

Stein Mart says customers responded very positively to its spring assortment, boosting same store sales for the chain up nearly 5%.

The Florida-based company, which is planning an aggressive expansion plan for 2015, says total sales for the quarter increased 7.5%.

"We are very pleased with the response our customers are having to our spring assortment," said Jay Stein, Chief Executive Officer. "Our first quarter 4.8 percent comparable store sales increase continues the trend we saw at the end of last year and is a great way to start the year."