News

SOUTHPORT, Conn. — Sturm, Ruger & Company, a firearms manufacturer, announced that the company has been named Vendor of the Year by Cabela’s.

Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS/pharmacy announced Monday the launch of a first-of-its-kind interactive iPad app, delivering a virtual 3-D digital drugstore experience for Apple iPad users.

With the new app, CVS customers can explore a virtual 3-D CVS/pharmacy and access services from the pharmacy, ExtraCare, photo center and MinuteClinic, as well as browse departments to shop.

Digital coupon site, Coupons.com, has announced the public beta launch of KitchMe, a next-generation meal planning and savings web application. Free to use, the application is available at www.kitchme.com and can be used with desktop and mobile browsers. Coupons.com also announced the acquisition of KitchMe, the San Francisco-based startup that designed the application. Both co-founders of KitchMe, Stella Kleiman and Gene Reddick, have joined the Coupons.com team.

NEW YORK — Barnes & Noble announced that it will soon offer in-app purchaising via its Nook products through a partnership with industry-leading mobile payment provider Fortumo. App and game developers will be able to sell premium digital content in their products seamlessly and safely to millions of Nook customers through the Nook store (www.nook.com). 

PARIS — Beauty brand Coty has announced the renewal of the partnership agreement for the Pristine Seas program between the National Geographic Society and Davidoff Cool Water.

 "This relationship with National Geographic is a cornerstone for Davidoff Cool Water. The link we have created with the ocean has grown stronger, and we feel it is essential to keep working on this partnership," stated Jean Mortier, president of Coty Prestige.

WASHINGTON — The days of online retailers getting an unfair advantage by not having to comply with state tax laws are numbered as the U.S. Senate has just passed the marketplace fairness amendment as part of the fiscal 2014 budget resolution.

In response, the National Retail Federation released the following statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay:

“We sincerely want to thank Senators Enzi and Durbin for continuing the fight for fairness on behalf of America’s small businesses owners.

SUFFERN, N.Y. — Ascena Retail Group announced that Erin Stern has accepted the position of EVP and chief merchandising officer with their Maurices brand effective April 15. Maurices (based in Duluth, Minn,) is an 860-store chain serving a twenty-something female (sizes 0 to 24) in small- and mid-markets.

David Jaffe, president and CEO of the Ascena Retail Group, commented, “Erin is an outstanding merchant with a strong strategic vision and understanding of this customer. Erin is an exceptional hire for this role.”

Goodlettsville, Tenn. -- Dollar General reported Monday net income of $317 million for the quarter ended Feb. 1, compared with $293 million in the year-ago period, beating Wall Street expectations. The company also forecasted 2013 sales growth of 10%-12%, slightly below analysts’ views.

Revenue edged up 0.5% to $4.21 billion in the quarter, missing Wall Street’s expected $4.26 billion. Same-store sales rose 3%.

For the full year, profit grew to $953 million from $767 million, and revenue rose 8.2% to $16.02 billion.