Data & Analytics

Groupe Dynamite eases global expansion with new tech platform

Having the potential for growth that exceeds the capability of your existing systems is a good problem to have, but it is still a problem. Groupe Dynamite, a fast-fashion women’s apparel retailer based in Montreal, faced that very challenge in early 2010.

Devastating sourcing and supply chain disasters, including the Bangladesh factory collapse in April 2013, have increased the push for retailers and other businesses to implement sustainable and responsible practices across the global supply chain. Tamara Saucier, VP industry – retail solutions, GT Nexus, discussed the topic, and proactive measures retailers can take, with Chain Store Age.

What can retailers be doing to ensure ethical and sustainable supply chain practices?

The timing of the Easter holiday this year adversely affected first-quarter sales at Publix by 1.3% — Easter fell in the second quarter this year, rather than the first quarter as if did last year — but the company still posted a 4.1% increase to $7.8 billion from last year’s $7.5 billion.

Comparable-store sales for the quarter increased 4%.

By Jason Fredrickson, Guidance Software

The recent cyber attacks on Target, Neiman Marcus and Michaels Stores had an immediate and profound impact on sales, as well as a widespread and ongoing ripple effect on consumer confidence in the safety of credit-card information at point-of-sale (POS) terminals.

Rite Aid posted $2 billion for the four weeks ended April 26, representing a lift of 4.9%. Same-store sales increased 5% over the prior-year period.

April front-end same-store sales increased 4.7%, with 4.6% of the increase attributable to a shift in the timing of Easter, which fell on April 20 this year, compared with March 31 last year. Pharmacy same-store sales, which included an approximate 138 basis points negative impact from new generic introductions, increased 5.2%. Prescription count at comparable stores increased 2.3% over the prior-year period.  

Seattle – Blue Nile Inc. reported increases in net income and sales during the first quarter of 2014, compared to the same period in the prior year. Net income rose 30% to $1.07 billion, from $832 million.

Net sales increased 6.8% to $103.7 million, compared to $97.1 million. Looking ahead, Blue Nile expects net sales between $108 and $113 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2014 and net sales between $485 and $510 million for fiscal 2014.

Lifetime Brands, a leading global provider of branded kitchenware, tableware and other products used in the home, is seeing the results of its aggressive growth strategy — which included the acquisition of four businesses during the period — in the first quarter ended March 31.

Consolidated net sales for the quarter were $118.4 million, soaring 20% from $98.7 million for the corresponding period in 2013.

St. Petersburg, Fla. - Net income declined at HSN Inc. during the first quarter of fiscal 2014 even as sales slightly improved compared to the same period a year earlier. Net income dropped 23% to $24.18 million from $31.54 million.

Net sales climbed 1% to $772.42 million from $772.65 million. A slight decline in average price point, as well as a higher tax rate and increased cost of sales, helped push HSN’s net income down. Mindy Grossman, CEO of HSN, also cited severe weather as a negative financial factor in the quarter.