Store Systems

Richard Johnson and Robert McHugh have seen their responsibilities expanded at Foot Locker, as the footwear retailer looks to enhance its focus on its retail and direct-to-customer business segments.

New York City -- Search engine giant Google announced the launch of Google Wallet, a mobile payment service that allows consumers to pay for goods via their smartphones. The application is currently being field-tested in San Francisco and New York, and will be available to consumers in the summer.

Old Navy’s updated format is showcased in its new store in Fort Worth, Texas (it is also the first LEED-certified location in the chain’s portfolio). The design is clean and modern, with a colorful palette and a fun, upbeat ambience. A raceway layout and key destination areas make for easy navigation, as do the clear sightlines throughout the space.

NEW YORK — Search engine giant Google announced the launch of Google Wallet, a mobile payment service that allows consumers to pay for goods via their smartphones. The application is currently being field-tested in San Francisco and New York, and will be available to consumers in the summer.

INDIANAPOLIS —  Hhgregg has reported net income of $14.6 million for the fourth quarter ended March 31, or net income per diluted share of 36 cents, compared with net income of $10 million, or 25 cents per diluted share, for the comparable prior year period. Net sales for the period increased 21.5% to $507 million from $417 million, while same-store sales were down 10.8%

Seattle — Nordstrom announced plans to close its Circle Centre store in downtown Indianapolis, Ind.   Opened September 8, 1995, the 216,000-sq.-ft.  location will close to the public at the end of business on July 31, 2011. 

The retailer will continue to operate a nearby location at The Fashion Mall at Keystone, Ind..  It will open  a Nordstrom Rack store at the Shops at Rivers Edge in September.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred's net income increased 16% to $9.5 million, or 24 cents per diluted share, compared with net income of $8.2 million, or 21 cents per diluted share in the year-earlier period.

The retailer said that total sales rose 3% to $484.4 million from $471.6 million for the same period last year. For comps, Fred's reported a 1% rise on top of a 2.2% increase for the first quarter last year.

Fred's gross profit for first quarter 2011 increased 1% to $137.9 million from $136.9 million in the prior-year period.

By Ron Harwood, [email protected]

We have all seen the sales people come through the office claiming to have the answer to our lighting energy and efficacy concerns. Virtually every “pitch” will deal with LEDs, and only a rare few will be touting the older fluorescent and the new, almost miniature metal halide lamps.