News

Retail association calls new overtime laws a “career killer”
The nation’s two leading retail associations issued critical statements in response the release of the overtime rule by the U.S. Department of Labor. Under the new regulation, issued by the Labor Department on Wednesday, most salaried workers earning up to $47,476 a year must receive time-and-a-half overtime pay when they work more than 40 hours during a week. The previous cutoff for overtime pay, set back in 2004, was $23,660.
Starbucks goes to the bond market—to raise money for sustainability
Starbucks Corp. has turned to the bond market to fund its sustainable-coffee efforts. The chain issued a $500 million U.S. corporate sustainability bond to fund projtects that will support ethical coffee sourcing. The 10-year, 2.45 percent senior notes, due 2026, will fund programs that ensure coffee is grown and distributed in a way that can be maintained over the long run, such as providing fair pay for workers and protection for wildlife.

Jeff Bezos: Amazon planning more stores—at some point

Speaking at his company’s annual shareholders meeting, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos said the online giant will open more stores—but he didn’t specify when, according to the Seattle Times.
Survey: Lack of speed kills consumer expectations

How fast a retailer offers delivery of online purchases plays a big role in sales conversion and loyalty. According to a new survey of 650 U.S. consumers from same-day delivery provider Dropoff, 60% of respondents reported they have decided not to purchase from a retailer due to slow delivery speed. Almost all consumers (97%) said speed is at least somewhat important in determining whether or not they will purchase a product. Forty percent said it is very important.
Momentum 2016: The supply chain goes digital

The Momentum 2016 conference held by Manhattan Associates May 15-17 in Orlando, Florida offered attendees plenty of insightful sessions and interesting information about how omnichannel commerce is affecting the supply chain. First, let’s review some data points shared by Brendan Witcher, principal analyst, e-business and channel strategy, Forrester Research:
Lowe's produces high Q1 profits

In a quarter of strong home improvement demand, Mooresville, North Carolina-based Lowe’s reported net earnings of $884 million for the quarter ended April 29, a 31.4% increase over the same quarter lat year. Sales for the quarter increased 7.8% to $15.2 billion. Comp-store sales increased 7.3% overall, and increased 7.5% for the U.S. business.
Giant Eagle COO announces retirement

A career that began in 1974 as a Giant Eagle supermarket clerk will end on June 30, 2016 as one of the company’s most instrumental figures in recent decades, president and COO John Lucot, will retire after 42 years of service to the Pittsburgh-area grocer.
Help wanted: Francescas seeks CEO

Francesca’s Holdings is looking for a new CEO after the abrupt departure of former Chairman, President and CEO Michael Barnes and weaker than expected first quarter guidance caused the company’s shares to plummet.
New Federal Overtime Rule Announced

The long-awaited changes to federal overtime rule will be unveiled later today at an event in Columbus, Ohio, headlined by Vice President Joe Biden, Labor Secretary Thomas Perez and Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown (D). The most notable change is a nearly doubling of the current salary threshold from its current $23,360 to $47,476 under which virtually all workers will be eligible for time and a half pay. The dramatic change would make nearly five million currently exempt employees nationwide eligible and will go into effect Dec. 1.
Art of the deal: TJX wins again with 7% Q1 comp

Shoppers love a deal – the perception of one anyway – which explains how TJX Companies continues to defy gravity by posting another quarter of strong same store sales growth and improved profitability.
Home Depot constructs solid first quarter

Atlanta-based The Home Depot reported first-quarter sales of $22.8 billion during what CEO Craig Menear described as a "stronger than expected start to the year." Comp-store sales for the quarter were up 6.5% - with comps for the U.S. stores up 7.4%. Net earnings for the three months ended May 1 were $1.8 billion, up 14.2% compared with net earnings of $1.6 billion in the same quarter last year.
Target names new top merchant, creates chief digital officer role

Target on Tuesday announced the hire of Mark Tritton as EVP and chief merchandising officer. In this role, Tritton will oversee enterprise buying, product design and development, sourcing, visual merchandising strategy and merchandising transformation and operations for the retailer.