Data & Analytics

Billabong taps former Nordstrom exec as finance head
Billabong has a new finance chief. The board sports apparel retailer has named Jim Howell as CFO, effective June 12. He will replace Peter Myers, who has served in the role since January 2013. Howell has spent the last 10 years leading the finance and treasury division at luxury retailer Nordstrom. In this role, he oversaw significant cost management improvements, capital management and growth initiatives.
Online baby brand puts down anchor in Manhattan
A digitally native organic baby and toddler's clothing brand has opened its second brick-and-mortar location. Monica + Andy has opened its first store in New York City, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The brand was launched online in 2014 by new mom Monica Royer, sister of Andy Dunn, co-founder of Bonobos, the online menswear brand that is rapidly growing its physical store footprint. It features clothing made of kid-friendly fabrics that are free of lead, phthalates and flame-retardants.

Study: Amazon sees double-digit growth in consumables

Despite a decline in the overall health & personal care (HPC), baby and grocery categories industry-wide, Amazon is grabbing double-digit wallet share.
Retail building in South Bronx sells for $17.5 million

A 50,000-sq.-ft. former Rite Aid store in what was not long ago a rough-and-tumble area of the South Bronx has sold for $17.5 million. The buyer, an affiliate of ABCAPSTONE plans to redevelop the building — now occupied by a Salvation Army Family Store — into as much as 100,000 sq. ft. of retail space.
Walmart leverages ‘employees’ for last-mile delivery initiative
Casual clothing and workwear retailer on the hunt for a new CFO

Duluth Holdings is losing its finance chief. Mark DeOrio, the company’s CFO, will retire at the end of 2017. DeOrio will remain in his role until the next finance chief is appointed, and he will then assist with his successor’s transition until his retirement. DeOrio has held the role since August 2010. He also served as senior VP of operations from 2010 to January 2015.
Amazon expands distribution fleet in California

Amazon is bolstering fulfillment efforts in the Golden State. The online giant will open an 855,000-sq.-ft. fulfillment center in Fresno, California. The new facility will specialize in handling smaller-sized items such as books, electronic devices and children’s toys. The Fresno facility will be the fifth warehouse in the state’s Central Valley. Amazon currently operates three fulfillment centers in Tracy and Patterson, and a fourth facility under construction in Sacramento.
Sur La Table plots localization and expansion strategy

High-end kitchenware retailer Sur La Table is on a mission to optimize its individual market and expansion strategies. “Now, more than ever, being able to localize is the key to success,” said Ben Rosenfeld, senior VP of stores at Sur La Table.
Macy’s shakes up digital team

Macy’s named two key leaders in a move to bolster the company’s digital initiatives. The department store chain named Yasir Anwar as its executive VP and CTO, effective immediately. In this new role, Anwar will oversee all technology functions for Macy’s, including expanding the company’s technological capabilities and further driving mobile and digital growth.
Boot Barn sales rise in fiscal Q4, still misses Street

Even with a jump in sales, unanticipated operating expenses and e-commerce snafus took a toll on Boot Barn’s fourth quarter for fiscal 2017.
7-Eleven opening futuristic store in South Korea

Convenience-store giant 7-Eleven is opening a store that allows customers to pay simply with a wave of their hand.
Five Below hits it out of the park in Q1

Teens’ demand for slime to fidget spinners helped boost Five Below’s first quarter sales, comps and earnings well above expectations. For the first quarter ended April 29, the teen value retailer reported a net income of $8.4 million compared to $6.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. Meanwhile, the chain’s sales increased almost 21% to $232.9 million, from $192.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016.