News

Advance Auto CEO to retire as growth slows down
Advance Auto Parts announced its CEO is stepping down as the retailer also reported a decline in third quarter profit and nearly flat same-store sales.

The auto parts retailer reported that for the third quarter ended Oct. 10, same-store sales increased .5%. Profit declined 1.4% to $120.5 million, or $1.63 per share. Revenue ticked up slightly to $2.3 billion.
Kohl's grows sales, but not by much
Strong back-to-school sales allowed Kohl's to upstage Macy's in the third quarter.

Kohl's reported that for the third quarter ended Oct. 31, same store sales increased 1%. It had net income of $120 million, or 63 cents per share, compared with net income of $142 million, or 70 cents per share, in the same period a year before. Revenue rose 1.2% to $4.43 billion.

Money moves PayPal in new direction

PayPal Inc. is continuing its evolution from serving as the digital payment platform for former parent company eBay Inc.

Since its July split from eBay, new PayPal initiatives have included serving as a payment option for a number of new retail partners, reversing a policy that previously excluded U.S.-based online gambling sites from accepting PayPal, and expanding a global free returns service in the U.S.
JCPenney comps up 6.4% amid legal settlement

JCPenney says the company's third quarter results will "exceed expectations" despite a $50 million settlement charge to settle a false advertising class action lawsuit.

The company announced Wednesday that it has reached an agreement to settle a false advertising class action lawsuit brought on behalf of California customers who purchased certain JCPenney private or exclusive branded products.
Retailers hear Amazon Echo sales potential

The Amazon Echo smart home device represents a potential threat to Amazon’s competitors, but sales are sales.

Amazon Echo will be available in more than 3,000 stores around the country in time for the holiday shopping season. Select locations of ABT, BJ’s Wholesale Club, The Home Depot, Staples, Sears, Brookstone, RadioShack, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Hhgregg, P.C. Richard & Son, and R.C. Wiley will offer Echo.
Macy’s posts disappointing Q3; pursuing real estate options (but no REIT) and outlet growth

Macy’s Inc. on Wednesday blamed warm weather, weak tourist traffic and excessive inventory for the company's worse-than-expected third quarter results. The company said it will not pursue spinning off its properties into a real-estate investment trust, but that it is studying real estate options for some of its most iconic stores.
Report: This U.S. retailer is the world’s fourth-richest man

Amazon has scored another coup: Its CEO and founder, Jeff Bezos, now ranks as the fourth-richest man in the world, according to Bloomberg. The report puts his fortune at $58.2 billion. [Bloomberg]
Kroger to buy Roundy’s in $800 million deal

The Kroger Co. on Wednesday announced plans to acquire Roundy's. Kroger will purchase all outstanding shares of Roundy's for $3.60 per share in cash in a deal valued at $800 million, including the assumption of debt.
True Value dives deeper into rewards

When Blake Fohl addressed the True Value Company’s retailers at the co-op’s most recent Reunion in Chicago, he let them in on a secret: The True Value Rewards program had gone “in-house.”
Why Macy's is looking for a miracle on 34th street

Macy’s blamed warm weather, weak foot traffic and excessive inventory for the company's worse-than-expected third quarter results and said it is studying real estate options for some of its most iconic stores.