News

Best Buy targets senior smartphone market with GreatCall
Best Buy is looking to expand its smartphone offerings for America's growing population of aging adults with a San Diego-based company called GreatCall.
J.C. Penney expands in-store Sephora partnership
Plano, Texas – J.C. Penney Co. Inc. is expanding its in-store partnership with Sephora. Starting May 1, Penney will introduce Sephora to 25 additional stores, enabling the global beauty retailer to enter new and smaller markets, while expanding Penney’s reach as a destination for beauty.

Since the exclusive partnership launched in 2006, more than 500 Penney stores now feature a full-service Sephora offering.

Toys“R”Us unveils omnichannel campaign for 'Star Wars'

Toys“R”Us and Toysrus.com are set to bring customers to a galaxy far, far away with a year-long omnichannel celebration in honor of the epic Star Wars saga.
On The Border offers NCR Mobile Pay

Dallas – On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina is partnering with NCR Corp. to offer mobile payment at all of its corporate restaurants. Using the NCR Mobile Pay solution, seamlessly integrated with the NCR Aloha POS solution, On The Border allows customers to pay their check using their mobile device.
Crumpler unpacks improved store management with Raymark

Melbourne, Australia – Vertical Australian luggage retailer Crumpler has selected Raymark's cloud-based store management software suite for deployment in its stores worldwide. The software initiative is aimed at supporting Crumpler's international growth, improving the omnichannel customer experience and modernizing IT operations.
Shoppers flocking to Supervalu's stores

Cost-conscious consumers are continuing to seek out bargains at Supervalu's stores, prompting the company's profit to soar 50% in the fourth quarter.
Rent-A-Center reports stable Q1 profit

Plano, Texas – Rent-A-Center Inc. reported stable profit during the first quarter of fiscal 2015. The retailer’s net income totaled $27.3 million, up 1% from $27.26 million in the same quarter a year earlier.

Consolidated total revenues climbed 6% to $877.64 million, from $828.47 million. Same-store sales rose 8%.
Family Dollar board member dies

Family Dollar Stores Inc. has announced the passing of Mark R. Bernstein, a member of the company's board of directors, on April 27.
Container Store Q4 profit drops; will open nine new stores

Coppell, Texas – Higher selling, general and administrative (SG&A expenses) helped drive down net income at The Container Store Inc. during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, and the retailer expects open nine new stores and relocate one store during fiscal 2015. The Container Store reported net income of $13 million, down 29% from $18.3 million in the same quarter the prior year.

Net sales totaled $224.26 million, up 3% from $216.82 million. Same-store sales dropped 0.8%.
Hy-Vee launches online shopping service

Hy-Vee is joining the legion of grocery chains with online ordering, delivery and store pickup.

According to KCCI-TV in Des Moines, Iowa, the regional supermarket is rolling out a service called Aisles Online in select stores.

The news site quotes Hy-Vee as saying that the average order has about 30 items and takes a worker about a half-hour to compile. The items are scanned, loaded up and delivered. Or customers can pick them up at the store. Delivery costs $4.95 per order, and pick-up costs $2.95 per order, with the charges dropped for orders of $100 or more.