News

In battle of the bags, Kate Spade wins -- for now
Luxury handbags seem to be as common these days as smartphones, and therein lies the problem for rival brands Coach, Michael Kors and Kate Spade, who all reported quarterly results this week.

As these three luxury heavyweights battle it out against brand saturation and bored shoppers midway through the year, it seems as though only Kate Spade has all the right moves.
L Brands keeps seducing shoppers
The shopping public's appetite for sexy underwear is apparently unsatiable, if the results from L Brands are any indication.

Stein Mart keeps steady growth going

Off-price shop Stein Mart's strategy of just the right product, at just the right price, at just the right time seems to be working as the retailer reported another quarterly increase in same store sales.

Stein Mart Inc. reported rising total sales in the second quarter ended Aug. 1. Total sales for the quarter rose 4% to $311.6 million, from $298.1 million. Same store sales for the quarter rose 3%.
Breach knocks back profit at Sally Beauty

Sally Beauty Holdings is feeling the impact of its data breach.

Costs related to a data breach discovered in May, as well as higher selling, general and administrative expenses, helped reduce profit at Sally Beauty during the third quarter of fiscal 2015. Net earnings fell 8% to $62.46 million, from $67.76 million the same period a year earlier.

Net sales rose 2% to $967.89 million, from $949.27 million. Same-store sales increased 2% in the Sally Beauty Supply division and 5.6% in the Beauty Systems division.
Michaels ascends social summit with maker event

A Northern California mountaintop retreat was the perfect venue for the nation’s largest arts and crafts retailer to host the inaugural Michaels Makers Summit.

The recent event was intended to serve as a community-building event for the a group of approximately 50 DIY and lifestyle bloggers who comprise the Michaels Makers community.
Build-A-Bear builds a better financial quarter

Build-A-Bear's recent push to reinvigorate its fading brand seems to be working as the retailer reported a big increase in same store sales in the second quarter.
Home Depot board adds big name member

The former CEO of American Airlines has been named to the board of directors of Home Depot Inc.
What innovative retail marketers are doing now

Some of the most creative minds in marketing, including some top retailers, were recognized recently when Experian Marketing Services held its inaugural #SuiteLife Awards.

Among the recipients of the #SuiteLife Awards, a play on Experian’s suite of marketing solutions, were American Eagle Outfitters, Neiman Marcus, Bass Pro Shops, Finish Line and Foot Locker. The awards were presented at Experian’s recently held marketing summit attended by more than 1,000 people in Las Vegas.
Costco rebounds from a weak June

Things really aren't as bad as they seemed a few weeks ago for Costco, which just reported a sizable increase in same store sales for July.
Fred's benefits from pharmacy expansion strategy

The CEO of Fred's says its stellar sales for July reflect the success of the company's expanded pharmacy business.
Startup helps brands source content for Instagram ads

Instagram is hot, and retailers that are interested in marketing their merchandise on the social network have a new option.

Olapic, a vehicle that helps turn consumer-generated photos and videos into brand assets, will be helping to integrate the recently announced Instagram Ads API for brands and retailers to start rolling out campaigns inside the app.
Sears takes the buyer's remorse out of back-to-school

Sears Canada has come up with an innovative way to appeal to back-to-school shoppers -- especially those parents who have kids who don't wear uniforms to school.

The retailer has launched the KidVantage Grow Out Guarantee, "created to take the stress and guesswork out of back-to-school shopping." The KidVantage Grow Out Guarantee promises that if your child grows out of an article of clothing purchased at Sears, you can exchange it for the next size up before the end of the current school year.