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Chantilly, Va. – Operators of franchises are actively involved in the local online and social media presence of their franchise businesses, often funding and controlling digital marketing activities at the local level. A new report from BIA/Kelsey, Local Commerce Monitor Wave 17 (LCM), shows that franchises estimated their franchisors covered, on average, 43% of the online presence costs of their individual businesses, for things like website development, landing pages, enhanced listings and online video

By Stephen Springham, senior retail analyst Planet Retail
 
After the horror show of Q1, Walmart had so much to prove domestically in Q2. And it has again come up short. A U.S. comp store decline of 0.3% was below earlier management of a 0.2% decline, guidance that was endorsed as recently as the Annual Shareholder Meeting in June. This marks the second quarter that U.S. comps have been both in negative territory and below guidance. Those accusing Walmart of ‘crying wolf’ in its bullishness (ourselves included) may feel vindicated.

New York -- As turmoil continues to surround J.C. Penney, one investor is upping his support of the embattled retailer even as two other large investors leave. Regulatory filings on Wednesday revealed that billionaire investor George Soros has added two million shares to his current 19.98 million in Penney holdings.

The latest investment makes Soros Fund Management Penney’s second-largest investor, behind disgruntled hedge fund manager Bill Ackman.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Corp. reported that profit for the quarter ended Aug. 3 fell 4% to $231 million, compared with $240 million in the year-ago period. Results were impacted by rising costs, but still met Wall Street expectations.

Sales edged up 2% to $4.29 billion from $4.21 billion in the period, and matched analysts’ expectations. Same-store sales rose 0.9%, missing Wall Street’s estimated 1.1% rise.

Little Rock, Ark. -- Dillard’s saw net income rise to $36.5 million in the quarter ended Aug. 3, compared with $31 million in the same period last year.

Revenue was flat at $1.48 billion and same-store sales edged up 1%, boosted by strength from ladies accessories and lingerie.

“Positive comparable store sales and gross margin expansion combined with continued expense control enabled us to report another quarter of year over year improvement,” said CEO William T. Dillard II.

Los Angeles -- Sporting goods retailer Sport Chalet generated a loss of $2.8 million in the first quarter, compared with a profit of $100,000 in the year-ago period.

Sales slipped 2.8% to $81.5 million from $83.8 million, and same-store sales fell 0.7%.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores lowered its full year profit forecast early Thursday after reporting weaker that expected second quarter U.S. same-store sales at its U.S. division and suggested global economic conditions remain challenging.

Walmart lowered its full year profit forecast early Thursday after reporting weaker that expected second quarter same store sales at its U.S. division and suggested global economic conditions remain challenging.

Total company net sales increased 2.8% to $116.7 billion on a constant currency basis and profits increased 1.3% to $4.1 billion while earnings per share grew 5.1% to $1.24. That was a penny below the consensus forecast of analysts, although earnings per share included a charge related to international operations that reduced earnings by a penny.

Flu shots and nine other immunizations will now be offered year round by Sam’s Club pharmacists at more than 560 U.S. locations as the retailer looks to enhance member value and attract new members.

Beginning this month, Sam’s will begin offering flu shots and immunizations for diseases such as pneumonia, shingles, whooping cough, chickenpox, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), meningitis, HPV (human papillomavirus) and hepatitis A and B.

What a difference 30, 20 or even 10 years make when it comes to consumer behavior. Thirty years ago, “24x7 shopping” meant mail-order catalogs. Smartphones, tablets and social media were barely part of the discussion 10 years ago. While observers attribute the rapid pace of change to technological advances, biology may play an equally important role. Scientists have observed that the human brain is incredibly plastic, even in adulthood, constantly adapting to trauma and environmental shifts.