News

Cleveland – The Sherwin-Williams Company reported a slight drop in net income during the first quarter of fiscal 2014, to $115.46 million from $116.18 million. Net sales fared better, rising 9% to $2.37 billion from $2.17 billion.

Christopher M. Connor, chairman and CEO of Sherwin-Williams, cited strong performance in the paint stores group, with slight offset on domestic sales from severe weather, as helping drive consolidated net sales in the quarter. Sherwin-Williams expects consolidated net sales to rise 8%-14% in the second quarter.

Rosemary Ricketts and Steve Bohman, retail executives with extensive mass market experience, have joined upscale brand Vera Bradley in key roles.

Ricketts was named vp of merchandising and Bohman was named vp of global production at the leading designer of women's handbags and accessories, luggage and travel items, eyewear, stationery and gifts.

Washington, D.C. -- Lowe's Home Centers has agreed to pay a $500,000 civil penalty for violating federal rules governing lead paint exposure, the Environmental Protection Agency said on Thursday.  

The chain will also implement a comprehensive, corporate-wide compliance program at its over 1,700 stores nationwide to ensure that the contractors it hires to perform work minimize lead dust from home renovation activities, as required by the federal Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule.

Target is expanding its online subscription service with a nearly tenfold increase in available items — from 200 to more than 1,500 — and adding a 5% discount on all subscription orders.

The service, which launched September 2013 with a focus on babycare products, now accounts for more than 15% of online sales for eligible items, according to the company. The new expanded program will go beyond babycare to include cleaning supplies, health and beauty aids, pet treats and training pads.
 

Urban Outfitters has named Trish Donnelly as president of Urban Outfitters brand, North America reporting directly to Ted Marlow, CEO, Urban Outfitters Group, effective July 14.

Leading B2C mobile messaging company Outspoken greatly expanded the capability of marketers to use its service this week with a major upgrade involving Apple devices.

Sears Holdings has tapped Arun Arora as SVP and president, Home Services, in which role he will take charge of the business unit's In-Home Repair Services, Service Contracts, Carry-In Repair, Sears Home Improvement Services, Parts Direct, Commercial Sales and Sears Franchise Businesses.

Shoe Carnival is collaborating with Lifetime’s “Devious Maids” to further promote the company’s first national, integrated advertising campaign. The advertising campaign coincides with the season two premiere of the series, which will debut Sunday, April 20, at 10 p.m. EDT/PDT.