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The technology-driven innovation spree occurring in the retail industry offers merchants, marketers and operators unprecedented shopper insights capabilities — and a host of new opportunities.

Omaha, Neb. - Omaha Steaks today announced the launch of a newly created customer loyalty program, Omaha Steaks Steaklover Rewards. This new loyalty program is designed to reward customers through a points-based program, where they can earn points by purchasing products, in addition to non-transactional engagements like referrals and social sharing.

AutoZone marked its 31st consecutive quarter of double digit earnings per share growth for the period ended May 10.

The company reported net sales of $2.3 billion for the quarter, an increase of 6.2% from the third quarter last year. Domestic same-store sales, or sales for stores open at least one year, increased 4% for the quarter.

Net income for the quarter increased $19.6 million, or 7.4%, over the same period last year to $285.2 million, while diluted earnings per share increased 16.4% to $8.46 per share from $7.27 per share in the year-ago quarter.

New York - Aeropostale Inc. has entered into definitive agreements with respect to its previously announced strategic partnership and $150 million senior secured credit facilities with Sycamore Partners. As previously announced on March 13, 2014, the senior secured credit facilities with affiliates of Sycamore Partners consist of a five-year $100 million term loan facility and a ten-year $50 million term loan facility that includes a sourcing arrangement with MGF Sourcing, also an affiliate of Sycamore Partners.

Severe weather may have taken a bite out of Shoe Carnival’s same-store sales, but the retailer still plans on opening 23 to 28 new stores in fiscal 2014, including 16 in the second quarter and seven to 12 in the fourth quarter.

The company reported a 3% year-over-year drop in net income to $9.2 million, from $9.5 million in the prior-year quarter. Net sales increased 1.5% to $235.8 million, from $232.3 million in the prior-year quarter. Same-store sales declined 1.7%

New York – Foot Locker Inc. had a successful first quarter of fiscal 2014, with rising sales driving solid net income performance. Net income grew 17% to $162 million, from $138 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2013.

Net sales rose 14% to $1.87 billion, from $1.64 billion. Same-store sales climbed 7.6%.

Foot Locker is off to a great start in 2014. The specialty athletic retailer’s first quarter sales and profits were the highest in its history for the third consecutive year.

Net income for the quarter ended May 3 was $162 million, or $1.10 per share, compared with net income of $138 million, or $0.90 per share, last year. Total net sales increased 14%, to $1.9 billion this year, compared with sales of $1.6 billion for the corresponding prior-year period. Comparable-store sales increased 7.6%.

New York – Aeropostale Inc. reported a net loss of $76.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, up from the $12.2 million net loss it reported a year earlier. It also projected a second-quarter loss forecast bigger than analysts expected.

The struggling retailer, which has reported a loss for six consecutive quarters, had a generally difficult quarter overall, as net sales fell 12% to $395.9 million from $452.3 million and same-store sales decreased 13%.  Aeropostale has reported declining comparable sales for seven straight quarters.