News

NEW YORK — Control Group, a New York City-based technology and design firm, has unveiled its work with the newly launched Kate Spade Saturday brand. The unique concept celebrates the social side of shopping by bringing the online experience into the retail stores. The first experience will be through the flagship store in Tokyo, which opened on March 2. It will roll out to all other retail stores – both in the United States and Japan – throughout 2013.

AUSTIN — Catalina has unveiled BuyerVision Mobile, the mobile ad solution for CPG brands with the ability to deliver personalized media based on in-store purchase history. Already influencing more than 230 million shoppers through the leading in-store media network, Catalina’s new offering delivers personalized mobile advertising to 70 million households.

AUSTIN — Catalina has unveiled BuyerVision Mobile, the mobile ad solution for CPG brands with the ability to deliver personalized media based on in-store purchase history. Already influencing more than 230 million shoppers through the leading in-store media network, Catalina’s new offering delivers personalized mobile advertising to 70 million households.

NEW YORK — Foot Locker's fourth quarter profit rose to $104 million from $81 million a year earlier.

Sales jumped 14% to $1.71 billion, including the benefit of an extra week. Same-store sales rose 7.9%.

For fiscal year 2012, which included 53 weeks, the company reported net income of $397 million, compared to $278 million a year earlier.

Total sales increased 9.9% in 2012 to $6.182 million, compared with sales of $5.623 million last year. Same-store sales were up 9.4% in 2012.

LONG BEACH, Mississippi — Triton Systems has released a new retail ATM product line, ARGO. The new ATM features next generation design elements for improved security, larger screens, easier to read keypads, and touch screen options. For the first time in industry history, models are now available with an e-Receipt option.

HOUSTON — Fashion accessories retailer Charming Charlie announced that Tom Fitzgerald has joined the company as EVP, CAO and CFO.

"We are confident that Tom's vision and specialty retail experience will bring tremendous value to our company as we continue to be the leading fashion accessories destination," said Charlie Chanaratsopon, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of charming charlie. "Tom is not only a leader in finance; he is a balanced and strategic business executive whose background will complement us well."

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — HSN has named two key executives to its corporate leadership team. Bill Brand, formerly EVP programming, marketing and business Development at HSN, was promoted to chief marketing and business development officer for HSNi, and Andy Sheldon, formerly EVP of TV, live events and creative at HSN, was named chief creative officer for HSNi, and General Manager of HSN Productions.

Philadelphia -- Urban Outfitters reported net income of $83 million for the fourth quarter ended January 31, 2013, up from $39.26 million in the year-ago period, on strong same-store sales and higher revenue.

Total company net sales for the quarter increased 17% to $857 million. Comparable retail segment net sales, which include comparable direct-to-consumer channel, increased 11% for the quarter, while comparable store net sales were flat.

Chicago -- Vibes, a mobile marketing and technology company, announced the results of a successful mobile campaign aimed at engaging and increasing Build-A-Bear Workshop’s customer base through their mobile phones.
 

Join Chain Store Age on Thursday, March 14, at 2 p.m. (Eastern) for a free Webinar, sponsored by Microsoft, on how to use digital signage solutions to improve customer engagement, improve brand awareness, target specific audiences, and quickly update messages — all while reducing costs and driving sales. Also, see best-practice examples of how retailers are leveraging digital signage for their competitive advantage.

The speaker, Jeff Collard, president of Omnivex Corp., is a leading authority on the use of digital signage in retail.