News

Align, a global provider of technology infrastructure solutions, has appointed Mark Rode as VP of sales and will drive solutions and programs focused on data center, application migrations, systems, networks and storage, cloud and managed services initiatives.

Walmart’s release of a sustainable chemistry implementation guide may not sound like the biggest news to come out of Bentonville, but the directives contained in the document are sure to have wide-ranging implications for suppliers’ products.
 

WTI expects March 2014 to trend similar in temperature to last year and below normal for the U.S. as a whole. The month starts out with cold, possibly record-breaking, in the North along with some potentially snowy and/or icy weather as a storm system moves through. Colder trends linger into the second week of the month, but toward St.Patrick’s day, temperatures look to take a turn toward trending warmer than last year.

Gap reported a 12.5% decline in fourth-quarter profit, with its results impacted by heavy discounting during the holidays. The retailer also issued a profit outlook for the full year that is below analysts' expectations, and said it will open 30 additional U.S. stores during fiscal year 2014.

Gap reported net income of $307 million for the three-month period ended Feb. 1, better than the Street expected, down from $351 million in the year-ago period.

San Francisco – Cato Bakery is utilizing a new iPad POS solution from Revel Systems and Index that provides customers with personalized recommendations and service. Customers can pay for their purchases and redeem personalized incentives with Index mobile technology, which is integrated directly with the Revel Systems point of sale.

The partnership between Revel Systems and Index offers retailers with an integrated mobile payments, loyalty, and POS solution.

New York -- In a sign of some progress in its turnaround efforts, J.C. Penney Co. reported a net profit of $35 million for the fourth quarter ended Feb. 1, 2014, compared to a loss of $552 million a year ago. Excluding a tax benefit and other items, Penney had a loss of $206 million for the quarter.

Looking forward, the company expects same-store sales to increase approximately 3% to 5% for the first quarter and to increase mid single digits for the full year 2014.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation (NRF) is officially recognizing the financial institution JPMorgan Chase & Co. for its decision to issue Europay, Mastercard and Visa (EMV)-compliant payment cards that require customers to enter a personal identification number (PIN), as well as store their personal data in an encrypted microchip.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation welcomed a proposal to reform the nation’s tax structure announced Wednesday by House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp, R-Mich., saying it would strengthen the economy and jobs.

Minneapolis – Target Corp. saw dramatic year-over-year declines in its net earnings for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2013, as the negative impact of its massive data breach and damages from its Canadian operations took effect. The chain warned that continuing costs related to the breach may affect its profits in the first quarter of fiscal 2014.

Mooresville, N.C. – Customer interest in core home improvement categories helped lift profits at Lowe’s Companies Inc. during the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2013.

Lowe’s fourth quarter earnings rose 6% to $306 million from $282 million in the year-ago period. Full year net earnings climbed 17% to $2.29 billion from $1.96 billion.