Supply Chain & Merchandising

PLEASANTON, Calif. — In effort to further its commitment to sustainability, Safeway's brand Softly bath and facial tissue and Ultra Thirsty paper towels are now certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and the Rainforest Alliance. 

Safeway's paper products earned the FSC seal by being produced from fiber sourced from suppliers who have been independently certified to follow the strictest standards in sustainable, ethical forestry management and production chain controls. 

Philadelphia -- Urban Outfitters Inc. reported Monday that profit for the fourth quarter fell to $39.3 million, from $75.2 million a year earlier. Sales rose 9% to $730.6 million, missing Wall Street’s expected $740 million in revenue.

The operator of Anthropologie, Free People and Urban Outfitters stores said heavy discounting over the holidays took a big toll on margins; in fact, margins have declined for at least five quarters as the retailer has made major markdowns to clear out slow-moving merchandise.

WASHINGTON — Retail sales continue to rise for 2012 as the U.S. Census Bureau reported results of February sales on Tuesday.

U.S. retail and food services sales for February, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $407.8 billion, an increase of 1.1% from the previous month and 6.5% above the year-ago period. Retail trade sales were up 1.1% from last month and 6.3% above last year.

Durham, N.C. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased restaurant space to Fuji Steakhouse at Southpoint Crossing shopping center, located in Durham, N.C.

The Japanese restaurant leased 6,400 sq. ft. and is slated to open in summer 2012.

The 103,128-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by a 59,160-sq.-ft. Kroger alongside national retailers such as McDonald’s, GNC, Ruby Tuesday and H&R Block.
 

Arlington Heights, Ill. -- Outdoor gear and apparel retailer Moosejaw said Tuesday that it has adopted the Linea-pro from Infinite Peripherals, in conjunction with Apple iPod touch 4th generation devices, to perform customer checkout from anywhere in its stores.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation released information on Tuesday that showed a year-over-year retail sales rise of 8.6% in February, marking 20 consecutive months of sustained growth.

The seasonally adjusted increase -- stronger than expected -- was 0.5%, which excludes automobiles, gas stations and restaurants.

CINCINNATI — Sustainability is a core part of most retailers' strategies, but unless you have someone to lead the charge, those efforts can fall by the wayside. Kroger has taken steps to ensure its sustainable initiatives are met by hiring Suzanne Lindsay to fill the new role of director of sustainability. Lindsay will direct Kroger's internal sustainability initiatives and will lead the company's sustainability leadership team.

PHILADELPHIA — Urban Outfitters saw profit for the fourth quarter fall to $39.3 million, from $75.2 million a year earlier. Sales rose 9% to $730.6 million, missing Wall Street’s expected $740 million in revenue.

The operator of Anthropologie, Free People and Urban Outfitters stores said heavy discounting over the holidays took a big toll on margins; in fact, margins have declined for at least five quarters as the retailer has made major markdowns to clear out slow-moving merchandise.