News

Report: Walmart relaxing rules for associates
Walmart reportedly is relaxing its dress code and raising the temperature at its stores as part of an effort to improve working conditions.

According to a Reuters report, Walmart made the announcement to a gathering of 3,000 workers brought to Arkansas this week before the company's annual shareholders' meeting due to be held on Friday.
Vitamin Shoppe to sponsor health expos
The Vitamin Shoppe is hoping to attract more health-conscious shoppers by sponsoring a health expo this month at all 700 of its stores.

All Vitamin Shoppe stores across the country will host a "Share the Health" Expo from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Each store will provide samples of healthy goodies, offer consultations with local wellness partners, plus tips and recipes for healthy living this summer. The first 50 shoppers at each store will receive a free gift bag with product samples from a selection of brands.

Five Below still poised for expansion

Five Below reported an increase in same store sales and profit for the first quarter in the same week the company opened a new distribution center to support its expansion plans.
Neiman Marcus to be shoppable on Pinterest

Neiman Marcus customers will soon be able to purchase their favorite finds via Buyable Pins on Pinterest.

The retailer announced that millions of pins on Pinterest later this month will become buyable, offering a simple and secure way for customers to buy their favorite finds. In just a few taps, on any iOS enabled device, a customer can buy the products he or she has Pinned or discovered. This service will be solely offered in the U.S. at this time.
Target sells pharmacies to CVS Health

Target plans to sell its pharmacy business to CVS Health for $1.9 billion and rebrand its nearly 1,700 prescription departments as CVS/pharmacy in a blockbuster deal that stunned the health care world.
Jo-Ann Fabric among first retailers to partner with Pinterest’s new Buyable Pins

Hudson, Ohio -- Fabric and craft specialty retailer Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores is one of the partners for Pinterest’s new Buyable Pins, which is the social networking site’s first crack at e-commerce. Buyable Pins allow consumers to complete the process of discovering a product, saving it to a board and buying it directly on Pinterest.
Vera Bradley appoints executive VP, CMO

Fort Wayne, Ind. - Vera Bradley, Inc. announced that Theresa Palermo has been named executive VP, CMO, effective June 22.
Who is the Victim in Petty Theft?

The answer to the questions above may not be as obvious as one would think. Retailers not only suffer losses in the billions, but they also must spend millions in an effort to thwart this behavior. In the past, retailers could rely on the criminal justice system, but today’s limited resources have left retailers with only civil demand laws which are currently being scrutinized.
'We were able to create Black Friday in April,' Target's Cornell tells Mad Money

New York -- Target chief Brian Cornell talks to CNBC's Jim Cramer about what the company is doing to turn its business around. What else does Target have up its sleeve and how will it keep the momentum going?
Neiman Marcus appoints Wolverine exec as COO/CFO

Dallas - Donald T. Grimes will be joining Neiman Marcus Group as executive VP, COO and CFO. Grimes will succeed Jim Skinner, who will continue to be part of the company’s management team in the newly created role of vice chairman, Neiman Marcus Group.
Wal-Mart to enact some raises in July

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is reportedly raising wages for some employees in specialized departments beginning in July. According to the Associated Press, managers of more complicated departments like automotive and electronics will have their pay range increased to $13 - $24.70 per hour, from $10.30 - $20.09 per hour.
Dollar General beats Q1 profits, misses sales; on track to open 730 stores

Goodlettsville, Tenn. – Dollar General Corp. beat Wall Street expectations for profit but missed on sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2015. Net income totaled $253 million, up 14% from $222 million the same period the prior year.

Higher initial inventory markups, improved inventory shrink rate and lower transportation costs helped boost net income. Net sales increased 9% to $4.92 billion, compared to $4.52 billion. Same-store sales increased 3.7%, resulting from increases in both customer traffic and average transaction amount.