Data & Analytics

Don Kingsborough, VP retail services, PayPal, San Jose, Calif.

New York -- Aeropostale Inc. reported an unexpected loss for its fourth quarter, hurt by declining same-store sales and store asset impairment charges. The teen apparel chain also forecast a loss for the current quarter, citing markdowns and a weak economy.

"We anticipate a challenging first quarter as a result of expected margin pressures from holiday carryover inventory, and the impact of a weak macroeconomic environment,” said Aeropostale CEO Thomas Johnson.

Jim Crowcroft, VP market development, TCP Inc., Aurora, Ohio, [email protected].

With 'intelligent design' emerging as yet another buzz phrase in an industry full of them, Chain Store Age talked with Jim Crowcroft about how TCP incorporates smart design into its lighting products and projects, as well as what hot lighting trends he is seeing for 2013.

What do you see as the main elements of intelligent lighting design?

The physical store remains the centerpiece of the purchase journey, according to a study by PwC. The report, "Demystifying the Online Shopper," addresses myths about multichannel retailing and offers some ideas to help retailers keep up with their customers. Here's a recap:

Paul Loux

Senior VP Store Design, Sephora Americas

HEADQUARTERS San Francisco

TYPE OF BUSINESS Beauty and fragrance retailer

NUMBER OF STORES 1,600 global locations, including 325 stores in North America and 386 in-store shops in J.C. Penney

Beauty and cosmetics retailer Sephora is ignited not only by its highly trained cast of associates and smart, forward-thinking approach to in-store digital, but also by the man behind the black, white and red store design.

New York -- Costco Wholesale Corp. will expand its Issaquah, Wash., headquarters, according to published reports on Friday.

The Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce reported Friday that Issaquah's director of economic development, Keith Niven, said the club retailer would expand the headquarters to take up as much as 1.5 million sq. ft.

The Tacoma, Wash., News Tribune reported that the company currently takes up three buildings that are full.

High-traction flooring materials are key in reducing risk

Slip-and-fall accidents in public places, including retail stores, are the leading cause of premise liability injuries and rank among facilities managers' top management issues. And with the elderly particularly vulnerable to falls, the size and scope of the problem is likely to grow in the near future given the aging of the baby boomers.

Minneapolis -- Christopher & Banks Corp. narrowed its fiscal fourth-quarter loss as the company received a boost from an extra week of sales and cut costs.

The retailer posted a loss of $4.1 million for the 14 weeks through Feb. 2, compared with a loss of $53.2 million in the 13 weeks the year before.

Revenue was up 10%, to $116 million from $105.6 million. Same-store sales jumped 18.5%.

Total expenses fell 25% to $120 million.