News

Sam’s invests in future customers
Small business customers are the lifeblood of Sam’s Club and to ensure the continued vitality of the crucial shopper segment the retailer is supporting an entrepreneurial youth organization.

Sam’s donated $250,000 to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) and the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) to grow and support YEA!’s national educational program that works to transform middle and high school students into confident entrepreneurs.
American Eagle offers omnichannel road trip promotion
Pittsburgh - American Eagle Outfitters and Aerie are launching the "Ultimate Road Trip" sweepstakes in stores nationwide and online from March 7 through March 18. Entrants have the opportunity to win a grand prize of a restored Volkswagen Westfalia valued at approximately $25,000 and $10,000 in cash to create their own ultimate road trip experience.

New CFO to lead Sport Chalet, Bob's Stores

Vestis Retail Group, which operates Bob’s Stores, Eastern Mountain Sports and Sport Chalet, has named a Children's Place veteran as its next CFO.
Online crafts marketplace Etsy looks to go public with $100 million IPO

Brooklyn, N.Y. - Etsy Inc., the popular online bazaar where people sell artsy goods and handmade crafts and clothing, has filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed initial public offering (IPO) in which it hopes to raise at least $100 million.
U.S. manufacturing on tap in Bentonville

Walmart Vice President of U.S. Manufacturing Cindi Marsiglio is scheduled to provide an update on the retailer’s $250 billion domestic sourcing commitment at an event later this month.

Marsiglio is scheduled to speak at 7 a.m., March 19, at an event sponsored by Doing Business in Bentonville at the John Q Hammons Center in Rogers, Ark. The organization, known as DBB locally, regularly holds events at which top Walmart executives share updates and insights on key initiatives and working effectively with the company.
Same store sales keep sliding at Roundy's

Regional grocery chain Roundy’s Inc. is heading out of a “transition year,” according to CEO Robert Mariano, with lackluster same store sales growth.

Roundy’s reported a same-store sales decline of 2.3% for the fourth quarter. In 2014 overall, same-store sales dipped 2.9%. For the year, net sales reached $3.86 billion, up from $3.35 billion in 2013.
Cartridge World builds responsive e-commerce site

McHenry, Ill. – Specialty toner retailer/franchisor Cartridge World has created a unified shopping experience across multiple devices, establishing an automated fulfillment workflow, as well as integrating e-commerce into the franchise business model. Working with Web development company Devbridge Group, Cartridge World launched a responsive design-based e-commerce site that offers the same intuitive shopping process across all platforms.
Study: Harsh winter freezes retail sales

San Jose, Calif. – This winter has not only frozen roads and roofs, but also had a chilling effect on retail sales. According to the monthly Retail Performance Pulse from RetailNext, there was a 10.4% year-over-year decrease in sales on a 12.5% decline in traffic at brick-and-mortar stores for the retail month of February (Feb. 1-28).
Petland hires ex-Walmart exec as it aims to expand

Petland has hired a former Walmart executive as vice president of corporate stores as the pet supply retailer looks to expand its national footprint.

Although Tony Samples last worked at Walmart in 2006, Petland touted his Walmart experience in a news release. "Tony brings extensive retail experience to Petland at a time when Petland is expanding its retail footprint," said Petland President and CEO Joe Watson. Samples will lead Petland's retail store division and oversee the company's merchandising and marketing efforts.
Fewer retailers among Fortune’s ‘Best Companies’ list

The retail industry continued to backslide on Fortune’s list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, but the slight may not be as bad as it seems.

The 2015 version of the list included 10 retailers compared to 12 retailers on the 2014 version and 14 retailers on the 2013 version. Notable inclusions on the 2015 list were Wegman’s (7), Container Store (27), QuikTrip (54),Whole Foods Market (55), Recreational Equipment (58), Build-A-Bear (59), CarMax (64), Publix (81), Zappos (86) and Nordstrom (93).