Data & Analytics

Brussels, Belgium – Delhaize Group has named Franz Muller as CEO, effective Nov. 8. Muller will succeed Pierre-Olivier Beckers, who will remain available to advise the new CEO until year-end and continue to serve on the board of directors in a non-executive capacity thereafter.

Muller, 52, has more than 15 years of senior leadership experience in retail, most recently as a member of the management board of Metro AG and CEO of Metro Cash & Carry. He will start with Delhaize on Oct. 14, prior to assuming the role of CEO.

Houston – Francesca’s Holdings Corp. grew its net income and sales during the second quarter of this year compared to the second quarter of last year, despite a slight drop in same-store sales. Net income grew about 15%, from $12.7 million to $14.6 million, while net sales rose 17% to $89.6 million.

Austin, Texas – U.S. consumers are dramatically increasing their usage of online and mobile coupons. According to the latest Shoppers Trend Report from RetailMeNot and The Omnibus Company, while printable coupons remain the most widely used type of coupon (60%), online coupon usage has nearly doubled (29% compared to 16% three years ago) and mobile coupon usage has nearly tripled in the past three years (10% compared to 4% three years ago).

Ninety-two percent of consumers use some type of coupon. Other notable findings include:

Dallas – Neiman Marcus is introducing a redesigned blog entitled, the blog. This replaces the brand's existing blog, NMdaily.

Nashville, Tenn. - Harwood Feffer LLP is investigating potential claims against the board of directors of Genesco Inc., concerning whether the board has breached its fiduciary duties to shareholders. On August 29, 2013, Genesco disclosed that it may be forced to restate certain financial statements due to potential violations of generally accepted accounting principles.

Jacksonville, Fla. - Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is investigating potential claims on behalf of purchasers of the securities of Stein Mart Inc. The investigation focuses on whether Stein Mart and/or certain of its officers complied with the federal securities laws when making statements to investors.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. – Dollar General reported record net income and sales for the second quarter of this year. In addition, same-store sales growth beat analyst estimates by almost a full percentage point.

Net income increased by 15% to $245 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2013, compared to net income of $214 million in the second quarter of the prior fiscal year. Net sales increased 11.3% to $4.39 billion, compared to $3.95 billion in the second quarter of the previous year. Analysts had expected net sales of $4.36 billion.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General reported record sales, operating profit and net income for its second quarter ended Aug. 2, driven, in part, by the company’s newly introduced tobacco products and strong sales of perishables and candy and snacks.

The company’s net income increased 15% to $245 million in the quarter, from $214 million in the year-ago quarter, and earnings per diluted share of $0.75 in the quarter increased 17% over EPS of $0.64 in the year-ago quarter. 

BOSTON — Shoebuy.com, a leading global online retailer of shoes and clothing, has expanded its marketing leadership team with the appointments of Heather Adams as SVP of marketing and Kavita Baball as SVP of customer experience and retention. 

The opening of 79 new stores drove overall second quarter sales growth at Francesca’s Holdings, but same store sales declined, profits were less than forecast and the company lowered its expectations for the full year.

Despite the slight decrease in same-store sales, the company grew its net income 15% to $14.6 million, from $12.7 million, while net sales rose 17% to $89.6 million.