News

New Lululemon CEO Laurent Potdevin said 2014 is a year for investing, strengthening the company’s foundation, reigniting its product engine and accelerating sustainable and controlled global expansion.

Restoration Hardware Holdings chairman and CEO Gary Friedman lauded the company’s performance in the fourth quarter and fiscal 2013, saying that RH continued to outperform the home furnishings industry by a wide margin.

It’s onto the next step for Safeway and Albertsons. No additional bidders emerged during Safeway’s 21-day “go shop” period following Albertsons’ announcement of its intention to acquire the company.

Under the definitive merger agreement, Safeway and its representatives were permitted to solicit and engage in negotiations with respect to alternative acquisition proposals during the 21-day period that ended March 27.

Finish Line chairman and CEO Glenn Lyon said the company’s successful execution of its consumer-centric omnichannel strategy drove solid gains in its core business and that growth initiatives contributed meaningfully to its record full-year revenue and profits.

The company reported net income of $42.75 million during the fourth quarter, up 28% from $33.47 million in the year-ago period. Net sales climbed 17% to $518.87 million from $442.68 million and same-store sales increased 6.3%.

It’s official. Loblaw has completed its acquisition of Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation, which is now a separate operating division of Loblaw.

"The most successful partnerships are grounded in strengths that complement each other," said Galen G. Weston, executive chairman, Loblaw. "Loblaw and Shoppers Drug Mart are perfect partners. We will drive growth and profitability through our unmatched mix of store formats, products and offerings. This is truly a case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts."

Hampshire Group has promoted David Price to the role of chief operating officer. Price held the role of SVP of operations at Hampshire Group since 2012.

He will report to chairman and CEO Paul Buxbaum, and will oversee operations in all divisions of Hampshire Group.

“We are thrilled to promote David into the role of COO. David has been an integral part of the turnaround effort of Hampshire Group, and he will serve an even more important role in building the business going forward,” said Buxbaum.

Hampshire Group has promoted David Price to the role of chief operating officer. Price held the role of SVP of operations at Hampshire Group since 2012.

He will report to chairman and CEO Paul Buxbaum, and will oversee operations in all divisions of Hampshire Group.

“We are thrilled to promote David into the role of COO. David has been an integral part of the turnaround effort of Hampshire Group, and he will serve an even more important role in building the business going forward,” said Buxbaum.

Mars Chocolate’s global president Grant F. Reid has been named by the company’s board of directors as president, effective Jan. 2, 2015. Reid will take over for current Mars president Paul S. Michaels, who plans to retire at the end of the year.

Because it is a global company with five country-specific sites and plans to expand, Toms recently extended its initial six-month engagement with TAISTech for two additional years. TAISTech will provide ongoing maintenance and support for all of the Toms sites that currently use the Oracle Commerce ATG and Endeca platform.

TAISTech provides flexible ATG support plans through onshore, offshore or blended models. Toms selected the offshore model, which provides lower overall costs, coupled with high-quality, responsive solutions.
 

WTI expects April 2014 to trend the coldest in five years and drier than last year for the U.S. as a whole. Warmer year-on-year temperature trends in the Central states will be sandwiched in between colder trends on the East and West coasts. A more active severe weather season than last year in the South Central states can be expected, especially across parts of Texas and Oklahoma. Storm cleanup supplies and plastic sheeting will see increased demand in harder hit areas.