Data & Analytics

ZAANDAM, Netherlands — Dutch supermarket-operating company Ahold has appointed Abbe Luersman as the company’s chief human resources officer.

Ahold said that Luersman, who will report to CEO Dick Boer, will assume the new position on Nov. 1. Ahold's U.S. division operates the Stop & Shop, Giant Food Stores of Carlisle, Pa., and Giant Food of Landover, Md., supermarket banners, as well as the Peapod online grocery service.

YORK, Pa. — Bon-Ton Stores pointed to inclement weather in its markets and higher gas prices in the Northeast and Midwest for overall sales weaknesses which translated into a same-store sales decrease of 6.4% for the second quarter ended Aug. 3.

The unfavorable shift in consumer spending patterns affected the company’s total sales for the quarter, which decreased 6.3% to $557 million, compared with $595 million for the prior-year period.

WEST CHESTER, Pa. — Leading video and e-commerce retailer QVC has launched a second broadcast channel, QVC Plus. QVC Plus will maintain the QVC brand and television experience including shows, exclusive products and program hosts, airing on a three-hour delay of QVC's current live broadcast.

Heading into the 2013 holiday season, NPD is forecasting that full year consumer electronics sales will rise by 9%. According to NPD’s 2013 Household Penetration Study, nearly 72% of consumers expect to buy a consumer electronics product in the next 12 months.

The report found that big ticket items like flat-panel TVs and tablets are fueling the increase in spending. Throughout the next two years, 28% of consumers expect to buy a flat-panel TV while 20% intend to buy a tablet, representing the highest purchase intent levels of all devices measured. 

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Stein Mart is preparing to launch its e-commerce business. The company expects the initiative to have a negative bottom line impact this year, in part, because of startup costs.

For the second quarter ended Aug. 3, however, the company is enjoying total sales of $291 million, up 3.8% from the prior-year quarter. Comparable store sales increased 6.4%. 

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PLEASANTON, Calif. — Ross Stores credited strong sales and merchandise gross margin for its better-than-expected results for the second quarter ended Aug. 3.

The company reported earnings per share of $.98, up from $.81 for the prior-year quarter — a 21% increase on top of a 27% gain in last year's second quarter. Net earnings for the 2013 second quarter grew to $213.1 million, up 17% from $182 million in the prior year.  

New York -- The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index remained flat in July as improvements in real housing prices and labor markets offset weakness in other areas. The Index, which tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending, remained at 4.4 this month.  

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples said Wednesday that its second quarter net income dropped 15% amid store closings, declining traffic and lower sales of computers, ink and toner. The retailer also cut its full-year earnings and revenue forecasts, citing the weaker-than-expected results.

Staples earned $102.5 million for the period ended Aug. 3, compared to $120.4 million last year.