News

ABILENE, Kan. — Duckwall-ALCO Stores fourth-quarter net sales increased 1% to $137.5 million, compared with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. Same-store sales, excluding fuel center sales, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 decreased 0.6% to $133.4 million, compared with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. Net sales from continuing operations for fiscal year 2012 increased 4.4% to $482.8 million, compared with fiscal year 2011. Same-store sales, excluding fuel center sales, for fiscal year 2012 increased 3.0% to $467.7 million.

Walmart and healthcare partner Humana are out with a new prescription drug program called Rx4Value that guarantees saving and relies on the proven strategy of improving affordability by restricting choice to generic drugs.

Walmart should shorten its checkout lines and improve the store experience in Canada prior to the arrival of Target next spring. That was the advice of Diane Briesebois, president and CEO of the Retail Council of Canada who spoke Wednesday at a dinner in Toronto, which preceded Walmart’s annual international meeting for the financial community.

Following her prepared remarks, Briesebois was put on the spot by Walmart International president and CEO Doug McMillon who asked during a question and answer session, “What can we do to improve in this market?”

DALLAS — Neiman Marcus Group announced that Joshua Schulman has been appointed president of Bergdorf Goodman, effective May 7.

Schulman, 40, joins Neiman Marcus from Jimmy Choo where he was CEO. In this role, he oversaw the international expansion of the brand and the growth of jimmychoo.com. Prior to Jimmy Choo, Schulman was president, Kenneth Cole New York, and managing director, international strategic alliances, Gap Inc.

HINGHAM, Mass. — Talbots' fourth-quarter loss widened to $53.2 million, or 77 cents per share, from last year’s loss from continuing operations of $2.8 million, or 4 cents per share. 

Fiscal year 2011 loss from continuing operations was $111.8 million, or $1.62 per share, compared with last year’s income from continuing operations of $7.6 million, or 11 cents per share. 

Hingham, Mass. -- Talbots Inc.’s fourth-quarter loss widened to $53.2 million for the period ended Jan. 28, not as bad as analysts expected, compared to a loss  of $2.8 million in the year ago. Its results were pressured by restructuring and executive retirement costs, as well as increased mark-downs and promotions. The chain also forecast first-quarter revenue that missed analysts' expectations. Revenue for the quarter slipped 1% to $289.4 million from $292.6 million, but beat Wall Street's estimate of $267.9 million. Same-store sales were flat.

NEW YORK — Barnes & Noble has introduced Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight, the world’s first e-ink device with patent-pending lighting technology.

The GlowLight, according to Barnes & Noble, is especially good for bedtime reading as it offers just the right amount of light without disturbing one's partner.With a soft, adjustable glow, GlowLight gives bedtime readers just the right amount of light for reading, without disturbing a sleepy spouse. According the company, the e-reader also displays well in daylight.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — American Greetings is launching a new line of cards featuring designs from noted artist Mary Engelbreit later this year as part of an ongoing collaboration. The greetings will be included in seasonal programs beginning this Halloween and sprinkled across everyday programs by the end of the year.