News

Toronto -- Michael Culhane, CFO of Hudson’s Bay Company, has resigned following a leave of absence from the company.  

Culhane went on personal leave on January 22, at which time COO and president Donald Watros was appointed acting CFO. He will continue in that role until a permanent replacement is named.

“This is the ideal time for me to leave HBC as the company is well positioned for the future,” said Culhane. “I wish all of HBC’s associates and business partners continued success.”

Denver -- Junction Solutions announced it will implement Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 and JunctionMCR at Eckler Industries, the leading provider of parts and accessories for classic and enthusiast automobiles, to support the retailer’s multichannel growth strategy.
    

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will hold its annual shareholders meeting on June 6.

The meeting will be at Bud Walton Arena on the University of Arkansas campus at Fayetteville.

By David Weinberger, CBX

New York -- Retail and consumer (R&C) total transaction value in the United States for 2013 surpassed $100 billion for the first time since 2008, according to PwC’s US retail and consumer deals insights 2013 Year in Review and 2014 Outlook report. Deals in the food and beverage sector and private equity (PE) investment in the apparel, footwear and accessories sector continued to drive activity in the R&C industry.

Brisbane, Calif. – Bebe Stores Inc. is reportedly considering selling the business. According to Reuters, an anonymous source with inside knowledge said Bebe has hired Guggenheim Securities to help evaluate a possible sale.

New York – The Jones Group Inc. reported mixed results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2013, with net loss and net sales falling in both periods compared to the same periods a year earlier. Net loss fell to $47.1 million from $80.1 million during the fourth quarter, and to $19.7 million from $55 million during the full year.

However, net sales declined 8.5% to $876.5 million from $958.3 million during the quarter, and fractionally to $3.72 billion from $3.75 billion during the full year.

Oak Park, Ill. - McDonald's Corporation reported a 1.2% increase in global same-store sales during January 2014. That includes a decrease of 3.3% in U.S. same-store sales amid what McDonald’s called broad-based challenges including severe winter weather.  

Pittsburgh – Same-store sales at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. rose 6% during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, unshifted for the 53rd week in fiscal 2012. The same-store sales results compare to guidance provided in November 2013 for a 2% to 3% increase on an unshifted basis.

Waconia, Minn. - Mackenthun's Supermarket hopes to gain insight into shopper behavior through analyzing scans performed with the ShopWell nutrition personalization app. Shopper preferences and behaviors can now be segmented by gender, age, food allergies, or nutritional goals.