News

Starbucks swings to profit in Q4, plans 1,650 new stores
Seattle –- Starbucks Corp. topped off a generally successful fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 by swinging to net income of $587.9 million from net loss of $1.23 billion the fourth quarter of the prior fiscal year. The removal of a one-time arbitration charge of $2.8 billion helped bring Starbucks into the black.
Taxes hit Blue Nile income in Q3
Seattle –- A switch from an income tax benefit to income tax expense helped drive a reduction in net income at online jewelry retailer Blue Nile Inc. during the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Blue Nile reported net income of $1.65 million, down 43% year-over-year from $2.9 million. Net sales increased 7% to $105.8 million compared to $98.9 million. The company remains optimistic for the remainder of the year.

New creative voice at Bill Blass

The Bill Blass brand is in for a breath of fresh air with the arrival of celebrated designer Chris Benz as new creative director.

Reporting directly to Stuart Goldblatt, Bill Blass’ newly appointed president and CEO, Benz will be responsible for the overall creative direction of the company.

Benz brings to Bill Blass years of experience in the fashion industry, including designing for Mark Jacobs and J.Crew, as well as his own collection CHRIS BENZ, launched in 2007.
EBay to offer Visa Qiwi Wallet in Russia

San Jose, Calif. –- EBay Inc. will offer Visa Qiwi Wallet as a payment option on EBay in Russia. Starting Nov. 5, all Russian EBay customers will be able to pay for their purchases with Visa Qiwi Wallet.
Lower gas prices won’t ensure happy holiday

Retailers are in for a “humbug holiday” with a 3.4% overall increase in sales and a deceleration in e-commerce growth, according to a new forecast from retail industry consulting and research firm Customer Growth Partners.
Report: Wal-Mart plans to close 30 Seiyu stores in Japan

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores Inc plans to close about 30 underperforming Seiyu stores in Japan. Wal-Mart first invested in Seiyu in 2002 and took full control of the chain in 2008.
Talbots selects APT analytics software

Hingham, Mass.-- Talbots Inc. will license APT’s software, including its Test & Learn and Market Basket Analyzer platforms, to test and analyze key business initiatives including promotions, merchandising, marketing and store operations. Talbots will use APT’s Test & Learn approach to identify which actions are most successful in improving performance and measure their impact on a test versus control basis.
Pfizer vet named president at Bridgestone

Bridgestone Americas announced that TJ Higgins has been named president of the consumer U.S. and Canada divisions for the company's tire operations, effective Nov. 3. Higgins succeeds Gordon Knapp, who became COO of Bridgestone Americas in March.

Higgins brings more than 20 years of consumer products marketing and strategic business experience to Bridgestone. He most recently served as the North America regional president for Pfizer Consumer Healthcare and also held leadership roles at Merck and Vlasic throughout his career.
Study: More consumers use technology in restaurants
Bi-Lo Holdings install Cardtronics ATMs

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Bi-Lo Holdings LLC, parent company of BI-LO, Harveys and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, has completed an ATM installation project with Cardtronics ATMs. As part of an ATM services relationship that began with Winn-Dixie in 2003, Cardtronics owned and operated approximately 470 cash machines for that grocery store in 2013 when Bi-Lo Holdings agreed to transition additional locations and banner names to Cardtronics.