News

Potbelly names finance vet as CFO
Chicago - Potbelly Corp. has named Michael Coyne as its new CFO, effective May 1. Coyne will oversee all financial functions and will also be charged with positively impacting Potbelly's analytical, productivity, and risk assessment capabilities.
Petco promotes pet adoption via YouTube

Coupons.com launches Apple Watch app

Mountain View, Calif. – Coupons.com Inc. is launching a savings and digital promotions app for the Apple Watch. Using the Coupons.com Apple Watch app, shoppers can add nearby digital savings at national retailers and restaurants.
Walgreens to close about 200 stores as part of new $500 million cost-savings plan

Deerfield, Ill. — Walgreens Boots Alliance on Thursday reported quarterly earnings for the first time since the December 2014 merger of Walgreen Co. and Alliance Boots GmbH. The announcement included the news that the drug store retailer will close about 200 U.S. stores as part of its previously announced three-year, $1 billion cost-reduction plan.
One-Stop Shopping

Managing one partner can make retail design and construction that much easier. Meet John Noonan with Icon, as he discusses how Icon’s three service offerings -- signage and graphics, self-perform sign & lighting maintenance, and remodel/refresh construction services– can add ease, speed and profitability to a retail rollout, even in an open-store environment.
Walgreens to close nearly 200 stores in restructuring
Weis Markets chairman is stepping down

Weis Markets Inc. is losing one of its longest serving executives after the company announced that the chairman of the board is stepping down.

Robert F. Weis will not stand for re-election to its board of directors at the company's annual meeting of shareholders on April 23, the company said.

"We are deeply indebted to Robert for his 69 years of leadership and tireless dedication to our company," said Harold G. Graber, Jr., a director and secretary of the company.
Easter makes for a hoppy March at Fred's

Robust Easter sales in the candy, toy and gift categories helped Fred’s increase its same store sales in March.
Petco uses YouTube to promote pet adoption

Petco is leveraging the combined power of video and celebrities with its latest promotion, "Think Adoption First."
It's an omnichannel spring at Home Depot

New for spring at the world's largest home improvement retailer: an integrated shopping experience.
Questions to ask about marketplaces

In announcing its Costco-like membership model, Jet.com (yet to launch as of this writing) has positioned itself as the latest type of online retail marketplace. Considering that online marketplaces really go back to the days of CompuServe, Prodigy and Earthlink (extra points if you know what “dial up” means), I’ve been struck by how much marketplaces have been in the news lately. Think about Alibaba’s jaw-dropping $9.3 billion sales on Singles Day (Nov.
Calendar helps Stein Mart sales in March

An early Easter helped Stein Mart post an impressive 7.9% boost in same store sales for the first quarter.

Stein Mart reported sales of $244.4 million for the nine weeks ending April 4, a 10.6% increase over that period the year before. The sales growth was especially strong in March, according to the release.

The company reported $155.8 million in sales for the five weeks ending April 4, a 14.2% increase over that time the year before. Same store sales were up 11.2% for March.