News

Francesca’s Q1 profit drops amid costs; will open 80-85 new stores
Houston – Increased selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) led to net income at Francesca’s Holdings Corp. dropping 18% to $7.24 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 from $8.56 million the same period a year earlier.

Net sales fared better, rising 11% to $95.01 million from $85.42 million, helped by the opening of 76 new stores in the preceding 12 months.

Same-store sales declined 2% due to lower transaction count, although direct-to-consumer sales rose 19%.
NetSuite acquires Bronto Software
San Mateo, Calif. – Cloud-based software provider NetSuite Inc. has completed the acquisition of Bronto Software Inc., a cloud-based commerce marketing company. The acquisition brings together cloud-based omnichannel commerce and marketing automation solutions.

Bronto Software provides the commerce marketing automation platform used by more than 1,400 brands, including Armani Exchange, Timex and Trek Bikes.

Fighter pilots wanted in war on big data

We are in a golden age of big data and analytics in which technology enables retailers to be more lean, efficient and competitive than ever. There are companies with solutions that address everything from pricing optimization and marketing effectiveness to optimal modular assortments and cybersecurity threats.
Walgreens launches video competition

Deerfield, Ill. - Walgreens is collaborating with the new social competition app Challenged to challenge customers to bring their best summer beauty tip to life in a 12-second video using either Circa Beauty or Nonie Creme Colour Prevails products. Beauty expert Lauria Locsmondy of the Walgreens Social and Content creative team will judge the top 3 "viewed" Beauty Challenge videos submitted based on use of Circa and/or Colour Prevails items as primary component of the look, clear steps to achieve the look, and summer-relevant look.
Kohl's hops on the Apple Pay bandwagon

Another retailer is embracing Apple Pay as an option for customers who want an easy, secure and private way to pay.
Food Lion enhances e-commerce site with customer feedback

Salisbury, N.C. – Food Lion has launched a new, enhanced website focused on easing the process of shopping for and preparing dinner. The new website, built on customer feedback, offers shoppers a personalized experience when they log in.
Kohl’s seamlessly engages customers with enhanced app

Menomonee Falls, Wis. – Kohl’s “Greatness” Agenda is not named lightly. The enterprise-spanning strategy is designed to make the company America’s most engaging retailer by providing a convenient customer experience across all channels. Considering the ever-growing importance of the mobile channel as an omnichannel engagement tool, it is not surprising that Kohl’s is focusing on its mobile app as a key enabler of greatness.
Data Dilemma: Fixing Sales Audits in the Age of Big Data

As newer and more improved technologies continue to create an overwhelming amount data, the ability to manage this data efficiently and cost effectively is no longer an option; it’s an absolute necessity. But big data is still causing major headaches for organizations that don’t have a plan in place.
Bebe chairman to sell majority stake

Brisbane, Calif. – Manny Mashouf, founder and chairman of Bebe Stores Inc., intends to gradually sell off his 59% majority ownership stake in the company. Bebe has filed a registration statement with the SEC for a proposed secondary offering of about 46.9 million shares associated with Mashouf.

Mashouf will sell the shares during a reasonable period of time. Bebe will not receive any proceeds from the sale.
Sears REIT files $1.57 billion offering, applies to list on NYSE

Hoffman Estates, Ill. – Sears Holding Group Inc. has filed a $1.57 billion subscription rights offering with the SEC for its real estate investment trust (REIT) known as Seritage Growth Properties. The offering would give Sears shareholders the right to buy up to 53.3 million shares of the REIT at a share price of $29.58.

Seritage also plans to sell 9.5 million class C non-voting shares to Fairholme Capital Management LLC, Sears’ second-largest shareholder, at the same price. This would give Fairholme a roughly 12% stake in Seritage.