Supply Chain & Merchandising

This holiday season promises to be the most digital of all time with forecasts calling for e-commerce growth to handily outpace overall industry sales. At UPS, the multi-channel movement is a trend we have watched intensify and helped facilitate during the past decade. Chances are good one of our delivery vehicles will visit your home or that of a family member this Christmas.

Seattle -- Starbucks Coffee Co. reported a higher-than expected net income of $359 million for its fourth quarter, compared with $358.5 million in the year-ago period. The company also raised its earnings estimate for the next fiscal year.

Revenue rose 11% in the fourth quarter, to $3.36 billion. Same-store sales rose 6%, fueled by higher customer traffic.

NAPERVILLE, Ill — OfficeMax's business-to-business division is getting a new name to go along with its new strategy of serving a wide range of customers with tailored solutions.

By Chris Merritt, Ryder

Natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy are devastating. They impact people’s lives and livelihood. In addition, as we’ve learned from recent years, they can result in significant supply chain disruptions. Following the storm, we are seeing three issues impacting retail supply chains – power, fuel, and people.

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc.appears to be on the upswing, reporting positive same-store sales across all of its divisions for both the third quarter and October. 

Net sales for the third quarter increased 8% to $3.86 billion compared with $3.59 billion for the third quarter last year. The company’s third quarter comparable sales were up 65 compared with a 5% decrease in the third quarter last year.

Matthews, N.C. -- Harris Teeter Supermarkets reported Friday a profit of $22.8 million in its fourth quarter, compared with a loss of $8.9 million last year.

Sales edged up 3.7% to $1.14 billion, and same-store sales increased 3.01%.

The grocer has introduced a new format and banner – 201central – that it is using as a platform to sell a global variety of wine, beer, specialty foods and other selected merchandise.

Plans for fiscal 2013 include 12 new stores and nine major remodels.

Brisbane, Calif. -- Bebe stores reported Friday a net loss of $2.6 million for the quarter ended Sept. 29, compared with net income of $2.4 million for the year-ago period.

Sales slipped 7.3% to $117.1 million from $126.3 million, and same-store sales dropped 8.7%.

During the quarter, the company opened five 2b stores and closed seven Bebe stores, and said it expects to open five Bebe stores and one 2b store in fiscal 2013 as well as close five Bebe stores and one 2b pop-up store.

New York -- Hurricane Sandy is likely to result in shipping delays and an increase in third-party carrier rates due to fuel shortages, according to Chris Merritt, VP/GM, retail supply chain solutions for Ryder.

"While most retailers should have enough inventory for their regular replenishment items, we expect to see out-of-stock situations up and down the East Coast for promotional items retailers have ordered and advertised for Black Friday," Merritt said.