News

Gap CEO focused on future with Q3 over
A steep profit decline and deteriorating sales at two of Gap Inc.’s three flagship formats in the third quarter have CEO Art Peck looking ahead to what he expects to be better times.
Online gaining at The Buckle
Leading mall-based denim retailer The Buckle said its third quarter profits fell after strengthening online sales couldn’t overcome in store weakness.

Profits at the operator of 469 stores, billed as a denim destination, declined to $35.9 million, or 74 cents a share, during the third quarter ended Oct. 31, compared to $40.6 million, or 84 cents a share, during the third quarter the prior year. The profit decline was expected as The Buckle had previously reported that same-store sales had declined 5.2% and total sales had declined 4.1% to $280.2 million.

Holidays not look so happy for Best Buy

More robust omnichannel capabilities have Best Buy CEO Hubert Joly confident about his company’s ability to execute during the holidays, but his views on overall demand for consumer electronics are another matter.
Holidays not looking so happy for Best Buy

More robust omnichannel capabilities have Best Buy CEO Hubert Joly confident about his company’s ability to execute during the holidays, but his views on overall demand for consumer electronics are another matter.

Best Buy said it expects weak demand for consumer electronics in the fourth quarter and forecast flat same-store sales at domestic locations following a 0.5% third quarter comp increase that was aided by an 18% online increase.
Specialty retailer shines with record sales and earnings

A specialty retailer that is defined by consistent same-store increases for the past three quarters, an over-the-top televised fashion show and loyal customers who still love its in-store experience has chalked up another record quarter.

L Brands, the parent company of Victoria's Secret and Bath and Body Works, kept its winning streak going in the third quarter ended Oct. 31. Same-store sales increased 7%. Net sales rose 7% to $2.48 billion.

Net income rose 24.4% to a better-than-expected $164 million, compared to $131.8 million last year.
Study: Millennials follow holiday shopping traditions

Black Friday and Cyber Monday may still be cool, after all.

A new study on the holiday shopping habits of almost 7,000 millennials by product discovery platform Influenster shows that 93% of respondents plan on shopping Black Friday and/or Cyber Monday this year.
Toys ‘R’ Us: New CEO, New Plans

(Photos courtesy of Toys 'R' Us)
And Amazon’s holiday pricing strategy is…

An analysis of Amazon.com’s holiday pricing for its best-selling items reveals two key strategic trends.

According to research from product intelligence technology provider 360pi, Amazon’s top two price dynamic categories: were best-selling office/school products (55% repriced one day to the next) and best-selling toys/games (45%).

Other categories that saw a high level of price dynamism were electronics and clothing, which are both highly contested gift categories.
5 myths about digital gift cards

Digital gift cards are less risky than retailers think, and that’s not the only common piece of online fraud “wisdom” that is false.
After dismal Q3, Gap CEO focuses on future

A steep profit decline and deteriorating sales at two of Gap Inc.’s three flagship formats in the third quarter have CEO Art Peck looking ahead to what he expects to be better times.