News

Retailing Today sister publication Drug Store News spent time recently with Sam’s Club’s Jason Reiser, VP health and wellness, operations compliance. To view a video interview of Reiser discussing shopper engagement, the value of personal relationships and the impact of the economy on business in 2012, click here to be redirected to Drugstorenews.com.

NEW YORK — The nation’s apparel retailers reported mixed results for January as shoppers remain cautious about spending in the uncertain economy.

“It was as tough month as retailers battled holiday hangover, lack of incentive to shop and mild winter that killed outerwear clearance," said Ken Perkins, president of RetailMetrics Inc., in a Reuters report.

As the first month of the year, January accounts for only 20% November-January sales, and 7% of annual sales, according to RetailMetrics.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — The company announced the appointment Thursday and said Edward would served as EVP U.S. retail merchandising reporting to Demos Parneros, president of U.S. retail for Staples. 

Mobile marketing has been the “next big thing” long enough that it almost seems like old news. Mobile advertising is projected to reach $55 billion in 2012, and has the distinction of being the fastest medium to reach $1 billion in spending; it took only five years, versus 16 years for the Internet to hit that level of investment.

Lowe's has announced that it will partner with the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) in order to launch a program to educate and train Lowe's employees who specialize in interior kitchen and bath projects.

Because of this membership and training program, Lowe's employees who work in the kitchen cabinets, countertops and fashion plumbing departments and as interior project specialists will have the opportunity to earn NKBA certifications.

Walmart has made great strides with its online business and don’t think Amazon hasn’t noticed judging from the online leader’s fourth-quarter results, which reflect substantial investments in staffing and distribution capacity.

Amazon in 2011 added 17 new fulfillment centers bringing its global network to 69 centers and it also increased its number of employees by 67% to support future growth and opportunities CFO Tom Szkutak said the company is fortunate to have.

Deerfield, Ill. -- BioScrip Inc. said it will sell certain assets of its community specialty pharmacies and centralized specialty and mail service pharmacy businesses to Walgreens for about $225 million.

The deal includes about $170 million in cash at closing and retention by BioScrip of associated accounts receivable and working capital liabilities of about $55 million.

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Tractor Supply Co. continued its hot streak with a fourth quarter sales increase in excess of 20%.

Net sales hit $1.24 billion for the company in the 14 weeks ended Dec. 31., up 20.1% from the 13-week period a year ago. For the full year, sales increased 16.3% to $4.23 billion.

Net income was up 40.4% to $70.5 million  for the quarter, and up 32.6% to $222.7 million for the year.