News

Charlotte, N.C. -- National IT infrastructure and cloud solutions provider Peak 10 Inc. has been selected to host the data center of Tractor Supply Co., the largest retail farm and ranch store chain in the United States.  

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe’s Cos. has named Stephen Szilagyi to the post of supply chain executive, reporting to Rick Damron, COO.

In his new role, Szilagyi will oversee Lowe’s logistics and distribution network that expedites the replenishment of merchandise and supplies to all Lowe’s stores.

Szilagyi has more than 25 years of supply chain experience, including leadership roles prior to Lowe’s in wholesale distribution and retail/consumer products supply chain consulting services.

Brentwood, Tenn. — Tractor Supply Co. reported that net income for the quarter was $79.5 million, compared with net income of $70.5 million in the fourth quarter of the prior year.

Net sales for the fourth quarter increased to $1.29 billion, or 3.7% over the prior year's 14-week period.

Same-store sales increased 4.7%, compared with a strong 7.6% increase in the prior-year period.

The company opened 25 new stores in fourth quarter 2012, compared with 31 new store openings in the prior year's fourth quarter.

New York -- Supply chain solution-provider DeSL said Thursday that Men’s Warehouse is embarking on a phase 2 project that expands its PLM application usage to implement the DeSL full supply chain solution.

"Now that we have implemented DeSL's PLM solution we have full control of our product development, are sharing on-line tech packs with our vendors along with time and action calendars and collaborative costing, the natural extension was to go to full supply chain management,” said Will Silveria , executive EVP , Men's Wearhouse.

Camp Hill, Pa. -- Rite Aid Corp. reported Thursday that same-store sales for the month of January edged up 0.3%, boosted by a 4.2% rise in front-end sales for the month along with increased prescription counts.

Total sales for the four-week period decreased 0.5% to $1.914 billion.

New York -- A report released Thursday by PwC found that U.S. retail and consumer merger & acquisition activity in 2012 drove both deal volume and value up from the prior year as the number of larger deals over $1 billion almost doubled.

According to PwC’s U.S. retail and consumer M&A insights “2012 Year in Review and 2013 Outlook” report, private equity activity in the retail sector comprised nearly 40% of deal volume and 55% of deal value, and IPO volume increased 38%.

The art of sewing comes alive at The Hab, a one-stop shopping destination in Mumbai, India, for all things sewing. The colorful store offers a fresh and youthful take on one of retailing’s more staid, and slightly old-fashioned, categories, and more than lives up to its motto: “A hipper side of sewing.”

HAMPSHIRE, U.K. — Mobile couponing is expected to greatly increase in popularity this year. According to a new report from Juniper Research, the number of discount coupons redeemed through mobile and tablet devices is expected to reach 10 billion this year, up by more than 50% on last year.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway is offering its customers the ability to earn reward points redeemable at participating Exxon or Mobil gas stations.

"Safeway listens to its shoppers, and we understand the importance of stretching grocery dollars," said Mir Aamir, president of customer loyalty and digital technologies at Safeway. "By teaming up with ExxonMobil, we're able to thank our customers with a loyalty program that makes two frequent and critical purchases lead to real savings."

Amazon, which gained attention for its expanded Kindle line and growing e-commerce footprint, captured the second spot on BrandIndex's list of most buzzed about U.S. brands for 2012.

Lowe's and Target were the only traditional retailers to make the top 10. Lowe's moved up one spot to the number five position, thanks to the launch of MyLowes.com and better-equipped staff. Target captured the number seven spot with the help of its remodeling program and year-round exclusives.

Other retailers in the top 25 include Walgreens (13), Home Depot (18) and Kohl's (25).