News

H&M isn’t letting a weak second quarter performance stand in the way of its ambitious expansion plans.   The Swedish retailer’s profit in the quarter, which ended May 31, fell 17% to 5.357 billion Swedish kronor ($649.6 million), according to MarketWatch, as unusually cool weather dimmed sales of spring clothing and a strong U.S. dollar added to its costs. The strong dollar will have a negative impact on purchasing costs for the third quarter and a neutral effect in the fourth, the chain said.  

The National Retail Federation has some big concerns about a plan unveiled Wednesday by House Republican leadership to replace President Obama’s Affordable Care Act.    

Boots, the U.K.-based pharmacy and beauty retailer, and IBM announced that Boots has launched Sales Assist, an IBM MobileFirst for iOS app, across its U.K. stores to make it easier for customers to find the products they need.   Sales Assist is one of the 100-plus enterprise-focused apps that IBM has produced in collaboration with Apple for iPhone and iPad, aimed at a range of specific industries and professions.  

The nation’s largest specialty pet supplies retailer is upping its store growth this year.   PetSmart said it expects to open approximately 80 net new stores in fiscal 2016, up from 50 locations in fiscal 2015.     PetSmart is on its way to meeting its goal, having opened 12 net new stores in the United States and Canada during the quarter ended May 1, 2016. The new locations average over 12,000 sq. ft., and include service offerings such as grooming and pet training.  

With all the attention placed on cybercrime, it is easy to overlook the threat posed by old fashioned shoplifters and dishonest employees.  

Restoration Hardware Holdings Inc. (RH) has appointed Hilary Krane to its board of directors, effective immediately.   Krane is the executive VP, chief administrative officer and general counsel of Nike Inc. She will also serve on the board’s audit committee. Prior to joining Nike in 2010, Krane held various roles at Levi Strauss & Co., including senior VP, general counsel and corporate affairs.  

The Las Vegas City Council has approved a new master plan for the gambling mecca’s Downtown district, focusing on both historic attractions and new development to drive more traffic there. The plan was developed under the direction of RTKL, an architecture and urban design firm whose completed projects include Mirdif City Centre in Dubai and L.A. Live.  

The design of Starbucks’ flagship in the new Disneytown at Shanghai Disney Resort was inspired by the craft of coffee and the magic of Disney — and the latest in ordering technology.   Located in the entertainment district just outside the main entrance to the theme park,  the store is topped with a specially crafted wind vane that evokes the playfulness of Disney with the iconic Starbucks siren.  

Without a store base to support any fulfillment, pure-play home improvement retailer Build.com lives and dies by efficient product shipping.   Further complicating the retailer’s efforts to provide quality shipping while maintaining reasonable internal costs is the nature of its product assortment.  

The latest planned fulfillment center for Amazon.com will have a big impact on operations in the South.   The e-tail giant will open a new 600,000-sq.-ft. facility in Braselton, Georgia. When opened, it will create more than 500 new full-time jobs. Amazon currently has more than 1,500 full-time employees at its existing facilities in the state.   Employees at the Braselton center will pick, pack and ship large items for customers like household décor items, sporting equipment and gardening tools.