Supply Chain & Merchandising

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $7.87 billion for the month of July, the four weeks ended August 4, an increase of 7% from $7.36 billion during the similar period last year.

For the 48 weeks ended August 4, the company reported net sales of $94.91 billion, an increase of 8% from $87.7 billion during the similar period last year.

Columbus, Ohio – L Brands, parent company of retail chains including Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works, is raising its income guidance for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 due to early sales results. Total revenue for July rose 4% to $678.4 million from $649.8 million, while same-store sales climbed 4%.

New York – Despite a slowdown in U.S. retail and consumer merger & acquisition (M&A) activity in second quarter 2013, consumer sentiment and retail sales trends remain positive, along with strong corporate balance sheets and availability of private equity "dry powder," which should help trigger M&A activity during the second half of 2013, according to PwC's U.S. retail and consumer deals insights second quarter 2013 report.

ISELIN, N.J. — Maidenform Brands’ reported total net sales of $145.4 million for the second quarter ended June 29, a 7.7% decrease from $157.5 million for the same quarter last year, were in line with the company’s expectations. 

Northbrook, Ill. – Crate and Barrel is implementing the Flagship parcel shipping and Netship expense management solutions from Kewill, Inc. Using the new Kewill software, Crate and Barrel hopes to consistently manage domestic and international shipments from multiple shipping locations across North America, integrating with a roster of carriers to ensure the best available rate and service is selected.

Locker Room by LIDS is the name of a new licensed team merchandise department that will appear in 200 Macy’s stores and Macys.com beginning this fall which could help the nation’s largest department store operator become more relevant to sports fans.

Columbus, Ohio -- The Limited said Wednesday it has appointed former Brooks Bros. president and COO Diane Ellis as its new CEO, effective Aug. 26.
 
In her role at Brooks Bros., Ellis oversaw information technology, human resources, retail and outlet stores, planning and allocation, product development, sourcing, supply chain, e-commerce and finance.

NEW YORK — Ralph Lauren Corporation weathered an uneven global operating environment with resilience, resulting in better-than-expected first quarter retail sales for fiscal 2014, which increased 3% to $879 million from $857 million in the first quarter last year.