Data & Analytics

Margins aid Belk Q1 income
Charlotte, N.C. – Investments in higher margins and topline growth helped boost net income at Belk Inc. 13% to $21.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 from $19.3 million in the same period a year earlier. Net sales were $985 million, up 3% from $955.1 million.

Same-store sales rose 3.3%. The strongest merchandise categories were men’s and women’s apparel, especially activewear, across all areas. The company’s online sales increased 37%, positively affecting same-store sales by 2.1%.
Genseco falls short of Q1 profit expectations
Nashville, Tenn. – Genesco Inc. reported profit beneath Wall Street expectations in the first quarter of fiscal 2016, with planned inventory reductions and e-commerce-related expenses hindering growth. The retailer reported net earnings of $9.88 million, a 29% decrease from $13.97 million the same period the previous year.

Net sales rose 5% to $661 million from $629 million. Same-store sales grew 4%. Genesco said that West Coast port-related delivery delays impeded same-store sales growth.

Tech Guest Viewpoint: Enhancing Relationships in the Moment

By David Trice, Co-Founder and CEO, Engage
Walgreens Boot Alliance CIO stepping down

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens Boots Alliance announced Friday that Tim Theriault, the company's executive VP and global CIO, will step down for personal reasons, effective June 1. Theriault will continue to serve as a consultant to the company and as a senior advisor to executive vice chairman and acting CEO Stefano Pessina on a range of issues, including cyber security. Anthony Roberts, senior VP, international CIO, will assume the role of senior VP, global CIO.
Increasing the Relevance of the Retail Store Environment

By Jeff Trachsel

Showrooming has plagued brick-and-mortar retailers for years, with e-commerce quickly chipping away at in-store sales. Recently however, experts report the rising trend is actually the reverse - shoppers are now exploring options online before buying in-store. According to a 2014 report from BI Intelligence, reverse showrooming, or webrooming, is actually more common among U.S. consumers, with 69% of consumers researching online before transacting in-store.
PepsiCo, UPS veteran to be new Walgreens CIO

Walgreens Boots Alliance has appointed a PepsiCo and UPS veteran as its new CIO.
Destination XL grows same store sales

Destination XL Group's reinvention seems to be appeaing to more customers as the retailer reported a boost in same store sales in the first quarter.
Small steps toward growth for Big Lots

Big Lots continued to see positive results from the steps it has taken to improve its business in the first quarter, with the retailer posting increases in profit and sales.

Same store sales rose by 1.6% in the first quarter ended May 2, reflecting better performance in its remaining stores, and income from continuing operations jumped by 13% to $32.3 million, producing earnings of $0.60 per share, beating estimates by a penny.
Boot Barn keeps stepping it up

Rapidly growing western wear retailer Boot Barn Holdings Inc. showed no signs of slowing down in the fourth quarter.

The Irvine, Calif.-based western apparel and footwear retailer posted a 16% increase in revenue to $103.3 million for the quarter that ended March 28. Same-store sales, which include e-commerce sales, increased 7.3%. The retailer opened 18 new locations for a total of 169 in 26 states. It was the 22nd consecutive quarter of same-store sales growth.
Sportsman's Warehouse hunting for more customers

The CEO of Sportsman's Warehouse Holdings Inc. blamed traffic problems and lower prices of firearms for the company’s drop in same store sales in the first quarter.

Net sales increased by 9.1% to $144.5 million from $132.4 million in the first quarter ended May 2. Same store sales decreased by 0.7%.
Wayfair names new CTO

Hot home furnishings retailer Wayfair has outgrown its chief technology officer, who also happens to be one of the company's co-founders.

So the retailer has hired Jeremy Delinsky to be the company’s new chief technology officer.

Delinsky joins Wayfair with more than a decade of leadership experience, formerly serving as CTO and, most recently, chief product officer (CPO) at athenahealth. Delinsky will report directly to Steve Conine, Wayfair’s co-founder and co-chairman.
Ulta Beauty’s Q1 income, sales surge; 100 stores on tap

Bollingbrook, Ill. -- Ulta Beauty came out of the gate running in the first quarter, reporting better-than-expected income and revenue amid strong same-store sales and online growth. The retailer plans to expand square footage by approximately 13% in 2015, with the opening of 100 net new stores.

Ulta Beauty said its net income increased to $66.9 million in the quarter, ended May 2, compared to $50.0 million in the year ago period.