News

Walgreens Boots Alliance on Tuesday announced an increase of 13.6% in net sales to $30.2 billion for the second quarter ended Feb. 29, 2016, compared with the same quarter a year ago, largely due to the full consolidation of Alliance Boots for the entire quarter this year. Foreign currency translation adversely impacted sales by approximately $750 million or 2.4%.

On the heels of soaring profits and revenues in the fourth quarter, Hudson’s Bay Company said it will make higher than normal investments in growth initiatives this year, including a dramatic increase in the number of Saks Off 5th stores, store renovations and investments in technology.

The rise of fast-fashion, changing fashion tastes and online commerce may be claiming another teen apparel retailer.

Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. is preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to Bloomberg, which cited people with "knowledge of the situation.” The report said the filing could occur as early as next week.

Amazon.com reportedly has some big plans in store for its Prime Now on-demand delivery service.

According to Bloomberg, the online retailer will release Prime Now, currently only available as a smartphone app, on its website in May 2016. Amazon is also attempting to sell online Prime Now advertising packages for as much as $500,000.

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Fred's Inc. has appointed Rick Hans as executive VP and CFO. He fills the position left open when Jerry A. Shore, Fred's former finance head, was promoted to CEO in October 2014.

Prior to joining Fred's, Hans enjoyed a 27-year career with Walgreens, where he most recently served as VP of investor relations and finance. Hans previously held the position of director of finance and assistant treasurer, where he promoted a sound capital structure that subsequently provided the basis for major strategic acquisitions.

Charming Charlie has appointed Ujjwal Dhoot as VP of marketing, based in the specialty retailer’s Los Angeles office.

Dhoot previously served as chief marketing officer for FSAStore.com, responsible for the overall growth strategy, customer acquisition and retention, analytics development and testing for the FSA-eligible products and services shop. Before that, he was VP of marketing at 20x200, an online retailer for limited edition art.

Dhoot also served as VP of marketing at PetCareRx.com.

Sears Canada is again calling on Becky Penrice to lead an important aspect of its nearly 300 store operation.

Penrice was named executive VP and COO after serving in that role in an interim capacity for little over a two months. Penrice has worn several hats at Sears Canada since joining the company on Dec. 1, 2013 after holding supply chain and human resources roles role at Hudson’s Bay Company.

Although Amazon.com recently more than tripled the number of items available via its Amazon Dash buttons and cited some impressive growth statistics, actual use may be relatively low.

According to daily analysis of a panel of more than 4 million online shoppers from digital commerce research firm Slice Intelligence, fewer than 50% of people who had bought a Dash button before Amazon expanded the assortment on March 31 had ever actually made an order using one.

Whirlpool Corp. will bring its Maytag brand of appliances to 600 Best Buy stores this month rounding out what was already an extensive offering.

Maytag brand products will hit the sales floor at 600 Best Buy stores in mid-April and also be sold online, the retailer said. The move expands Whirlpool’s assort at Best Buy which already includes the leading appliance manufacturer’s Whirlpool, KitchenAid and Amana brands. Best Buy also offer appliances from LG, Samsung, Frigidaire, Bosch and Electrolux.

For only the third time in three years, Kroger has created a new installment of its Savor World Flavor globally themed promotional effort.