News

Party City Holdco Inc. is increasing its corporate-owned store count.   The company has entered into an agreement to acquire a master franchise group representing 18 franchise stores in North Carolina and South Carolina for a purchase price of $31 million.   Prior to the acquisition, the company’s retail operations included 765 company-owned Party City stores and 164 franchise stores.  

The chief merchandising officer of Dollar General Corp. is retiring.   The retailer announced that James “Jim” W. Thorpe, executive VP and chief merchandising officer, will retire from Dollar General effective April 15, 2017. Dollar General said it has started a search for a successor and will consider both internal and external candidates for the job.  

Brick-and-mortar retailers are fighting harder than ever to remain relevant among digitally driven shoppers.   This is not an easy task as 83% of shoppers believe they're more knowledgeable than retail store associates — often due to the online research they conduct before entering a store, according to a new survey from Tulip Retail.   

Dollar General on Thursday reported better-than-expected fourth quarter sales and earnings and said it planned to raise compensation and increase training for store managers.   The discounter also said it plans to open approximately 1,000 stores and remodel or relocate 900 existing stores in fiscal 2017.   

People love to give gifts.   

Mobile wallet usage in the United States remains small, and shows no signs of increasing anytime soon.   This was according to “PYMNTS/InfoScout Mobile Payment Adoption,” a new report from PYMNTS.com. The survey, which was conducted in March 2017 among more than 7,655 consumers, said less than one in 20 consumers who have one of the main mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Sam-sung Pay, and Android Pay) use it regularly.   

Williams Sonoma Inc. on Wednesday reported adjusted fourth-quarter earnings above expectations and said its board of directors authorized a dividend increase.   In a separate announcement, the company said Sandra Stangl, president of its Pottery Barn brands, will resign from the company March 31. http://www.chainstoreage.com/article/leadership-changes-home-furnishings-retailer  

New leaders are set to take the reins at Pottery Barn and its sister brands.   The company announced that Sandra Stangl, president of Pottery Barn Brands, which includes Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids and PBTeen, is resigning from the company on March 31, 2017, after 23 years of service.  

1-800-Flowers.com’s latest business move puts the company in a strategic position to more cost-effectively expand its assortment.     The gifting retailer said Wednesday that Ferrero International S.A will acquire the company’s Fannie May Confections Brands, including its subsidiaries Fannie May Confections and Harry London Candies.   

A fashion blog is reporting that Walmart will acquire an online fashion brand known for its eclectic and quirky styles.   Walmart’s Jet.com division will acquire Modcloth, reported CNBC, which cited the Jezebel fashion blog. The report comes on the heels of Walmart’s acquisition in February of online outdoor apparel brand Moosejaw.