Business Analytics

Everything from portfolio growth to weather posed a challenge to Conn’s, but it was no match as the company’s business model remained resilient in the fourth quarter.

Conn’s reported net income of $27.73 million in the quarter of fiscal 2014, up 57% from $17.66 million in the same quarter the prior fiscal year.

Houston -- While 91 new stores boosted sales for the final fiscal quarter and year-end, Francesca’s Holdings Corp. saw net income for the 13-week period ended Feb. 1 slide to $10.6 million, from $14.9 million last year.

Same-store sales fell 6%, swinging from a 10% increase in the prior year quarter. Revenue surged to $92.1 million from $86.7 million, helped by 91 new boutique openings since the prior year quarter.  Five of the 91 opened during the fourth quarter.

Francesca’s sales results for the fourth quarter were below its revised guidance, thanks in part to extreme weather conditions, which forced the company to fully or partially close 370 boutiques during January.

Improved demand for cabinetry propelled Norcraft Companies to a fourth-quarter sales increase of 13%.

The maker of kitchen and bathroom cabinetry in the United States and Canada completed its initial public offering in the fourth quarter, in which sales reached $80.5 million.

Florham Park, N.J. -- Kalibrate Technologies (formerly KSS Fuels) announced that convenience-store operator Wawa has purchased the Kalibrate PriceNet fuel pricing system and will implement a roll-out across the chain’s entire network of 382 fuel sites.

Wawa will utilize the full capabilities of PriceNet, which includes 24/7 automation of pricing, full integration to the sites, robust analytics to determine optimal pump prices and mobile functionality on smartphones and tablets.

Balance Innovations has appointed Al Ruth as EVP of technology innovation.

Ruth is a veteran of the retail technology industry with 17 years of experience managing data warehouse database solutions and customer support for top-tier retail accounts. In this role, Ruth will be responsible for providing technical perspective in sales efforts, working with the account management team and driving key innovation efforts.

Phoenix – Accellos is releasing AccellosOne Enterprise 3PL version 4.0, which is built on the AccellosOne Platform version 3.0. This release focuses on a new user experience, work centers, cloud e-learning, and advanced functionality in event management, workflow engine, reporting, supply chain intelligence, and quality inspection.

Some of the highlights of AccellosOne Enterprise 3PL include:

New York – New York & Company grew its net income during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 11% to $6.9 million, from $6.2 million. Net sales fell 7% to $271 million from $291.8 million and same-store sales climbed 1.2%.

New York & Company attributed its improved net income to expense controls and increased merchandise margin. The company also cited the 53rd week in fiscal 2012 as affecting its negative net sales growth.

Severe winter weather has adversely affected many retailers in the fourth quarter, but not Burlington Stores, which saw comparable store sales increase 4% and net sales increase 1.3% to $1.3 billion for the period ended Feb. 1.

Tiffany & Co. reported a net loss of $104 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 thanks to a $473 million charge resulting from arbitration with The Swatch Group Dec. 2013.

The company reported net sales for the quarter of $1.3 billion, up 5% from $1.23 billion last year. Same-store sales for the quarter increased 6%.