Supply Chain & Merchandising

New York -- Snowstorms and bitterly cold weather took a bite out of sales for some retailers in January. One of the retailers feeling the chill was Fred’s, which posted a 1.8% decline in January same-store sales.

"The weather was a significant challenge for us in January," said CEO Bruce Efird, who added that it disrupted shopping patterns, but also resulted in “more than 120 store closings during the final week of the month."

Costco reported net sales of $8 billion for the four weeks ended Feb. 2, representing an increase of 6% from the similar four-week period last year.

Comparable store sales across Costco's U.S. store base were up 5%.

For the 22 weeks ended Feb. 2, Costco reported net sales of $46.3 billion, representing a similar increase of 6% versus the year-ago period.

The company plans to release its operating results for the second quarter Thursday, March 6.

Kohl’s January sales were significantly lower than planned as a result of lower traffic and low levels of clearance merchandise.

Comparable-store sales decreased 2%. Combined November and December same-store sales increased 0.8%.

City of Commerce, Calif. – 99 Cents Only Stores is opening three new stores on Thursday, Feb. 13. The stores are located in Scottsdale, Ariz., Carson, Calif., and Humble, Texas.

The Scottsdale store is approximately 14,000 sq. ft., the Carson store is approximately 17,000 sq. ft. and the Humble store is approximately 12,000 sq. ft. All three will feature a perishable food department, including produce, dairy and frozen foods.

New York – Ann Inc., parent company of Ann Taylor and The Loft, expects net sales and same-store sales to increase for the fourth quarter and full year fiscal 2013, on a year-over-year basis. For the full year, Ann Inc. issued guidance for total net sales of $2.49 billion, reflecting a total net sales increase of 5% and a same-store sales increase of 2%.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. – Kohl's Corp on Thursday lowered its profit forecast for the fourth quarter after the retailer reported a 2% decrease in same-store sales in January.

Combined November and December same-store sales rose 0.8%, but the company said January sales were significantly lower than planned as a result of lower traffic and low levels of clearance merchandise.

CVSL is a growing group of micro-enterprise companies that connect social media networks into an ever-expanding virtual community of social commerce, and it has just named Richard Holt as VP of finance and controller.

Holt has for the past two and a half years served as CFO at Agel Enterprises, which became part of CVSL last September. He previously spent five years as corporate controller for Raser Technologies in Provo, Utah. During a previous stint at Agel, he was instrumental in the early stages of that company's development.  

Belmont, Calif. -- SunEdison, a solar technology manufacturer and provider of solar energy services, announced the completion of a 306 kW DC (direct current) solar system for Whole Foods Market in Brooklyn, N.Y.

SunEdison designed the system using an innovative parking canopy structure that collects rainwater while protecting customers from the elements. The two companies have worked together since 2004 and have jointly deployed 1.5 MW (megawatts) of solar projects.