News

Pleasanton, Calif. – Safeway reported a net loss of $76.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to net earnings of $118.9 million in the same period a year earlier. The company is working toward closing its $9.4 billion merger with Albertson’s by the fourth quarter of the current fiscal year.

Edmonton, Canada – Lux Beauty Boutique has launched the SelfPay Shopper App from Digital Retail Apps. Since rolling out the mobile self-checkout app, Lux has seen results including 7% of all in-store transactions flowing through the SelfPay mobile app during launch weekend and higher than average transaction values when compared to purchases completed at the cash register.

Ottawa, Canada – 360pi has formally launched the 360pi Partner Program. This initiative provides a framework for retail technology providers to leverage 360pi's pricing intelligence in their solutions.

King of Prussia, Pa. - eBay Enterprise is releasing a new offering for clients using its Ship-From-Store solution. The new solution leverages EBay Enterprise’s solutions with freight companies to provide its Ship-From-Store clients with discounted shipping rates, free or discounted branded packing supplies and rebates for high-volume orders that they would not be able to obtain on their own.

Boca Raton, Fla. – Real estate investment firm The Herrick Company Inc., has acquired 44 retail/pharmacy properties located throughout the U.S. The properties, all of which are occupied under long-term triple net leases with CVS Caremark, were acquired for approximately $190 million.

Washington, D.C. – U.S. consumers spent more than $21 billion on video game content, hardware and accessories in 2013. According to a new report from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the trade association representing the U.S. video game industry, called “2014 Essential Facts about the Computer and Video Game Industry,” 181.3 million Americans play video games.

Other findings from the report include:

• 51% of U.S. households own a game console, and those that do own an average of two;

Boston – Online clothing donation service Fashion Project is partnering with Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman to provide a personalized charitable clothing donation service for customers who participate in the InCircle loyalty program. All members, regardless of their annual spending, can utilize the White Glove Clothing Donation service to donate used luxury clothing, shoes, and accessories to a charity of their choice.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. cut some stock awards and reduced outgoing CEO Mike Duke’s compensation package 73% to $5.6 million in 2013, according to a report by the Associated Press.

Last year, Duke didn't get stock awards that are given in anticipation of future performance, and his performance-based bonus was reduced, resulting in a compensation package worth about $5.6 million including a base salary of $1.4 million and a performance-based bonus of $2.8 million for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31.

Sidney, Neb. -- With last year’s strong first quarter fueled by a firearms and ammunition sales surge, outdoor retailer Cabela’s Inc. saw this year’s quarter end on a less stellar note.

Revenue in the first quarter fell 9.6% to $725.8 million; retail store revenue decreased 9.4% to $440.9 million. Same-store sales plunged 21.7%, compared to the same period last year.

Net income was $25.7 million, compared to $49.8 million in the year-ago quarter.

Philadelphia -- Destination Maternity Corp. reported that net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 dipped to $3.2 million, compared to $5.9 million in the same period last year.

Revenue fell 6.5% to $126.1 million from $134.9 million, and same-store sales decreased 5.1%. CEO Ed Krell blamed the disappointing results on inclement weather.