News

Burlington Stores swings to profit, plans 25 net new stores
Burlington, N.J. — Burlington Stores Inc. is in the black.

The company swung to a net income of $10.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 from a net loss of $6.47 million the same quarter of last year. Decreases in stock option and interest expenses, as well as some impairment charges, helped bring Burlington to profitability.

Net sales rose 10% to $1.14 billion from $1.04 billion, while same-store sales grew 5.6%.
Dollar General Q2 profit tops Street, on track to open 730 stores
Goodlettsville, Tenn. — Dollar General posted better-than-expected earnings for the second quarter, but came up short on sales, even amid strong demand for tobacco products and other consumables.

The discounter reiterated plans to open approximately 730 stores in 2015, and relocate or remodel 875 units. To date, the company is on track with its pipeline development to accelerate new store openings to 7% square footage growth in 2016.

Walmart fires opening salvo of 2015 holiday season

The holiday force has awakened earlier than ever at Walmart with the Aug. 28 launch of a major initiative called Toy Week.

Walmart has released its top toy list of 25 products and announced details of a layaway program that is less restrictive than prior years. The program begins Aug. 28, two weeks earlier than last years, and those participating will find the price point of eligible items has been reduced to $10 with a minimum basket size of $50, there is no account opening fee and only a 10% down payment is required.
Stuart Weitzman 'makes that move' with Gisele

Gisele Bundchen may have retired from the runway, but Stuart Weitzman knows the supermodel still appeals to fashionable shoppers.

So the retailer has enlisted the celebrity mom to star in the brand's first TV commercial, which will premiere during this year’s MTV Video Music Awards on Aug. 30.
The cost-cutting continues at Chico's

While sales at Chico’s appear to be improving, the specialty retailer's turnaround plan also includes selling off one of its divisions.
Report: Amazon scaling back hardware development

As Amazon.com deals with the fallout from a New York Times article over working conditions, another media outlet reports the retailer is scaling back its consumer device division and laying off dozens of employees in its hardware development center.

The division, called Lab126, last year released a flurry of 10 devices, including a television set-top box, the Echo and a wand for scanning bar codes at home, according to the Wall Street Journal.
West Elm branches out into pop-ups

In a first, West Elm, a Williams-Sonoma subsidiary, will make its products available outside of the brand’s own stores and website.
There's a new (retail) box in town

Retailers that stock the world’s top drugstore brands may be in for some competition from Pharmabox, which plans to install its first automated kiosk in a mall in the Miami area.
Meijer celebrates mPerks with major milestone

Meijer's free digital savings program, mPerks, is turning 5 this week and has already set a company record with $100 million in savings to customers this year.
Sears grants a wish for Make-a-Wish

Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores raised more than $217,000 for Make-A-Wish this past spring, when it held a two-week charitable program.
Fred's focused on boosting pharmacy profits

Fred's Super Dollar says it has contacted a consulting firm to help it improve profitability after the retailer remained unprofitable for its fifth consecutive quarter.
Candy, tobacco help lift Dollar General's sales

Dollar General grew customer traffic and average ticket for the 30th consecutive quarter even as the company refocuses on efforts to strengthen topline growth.