News

Jo-Ann names former Walgreen exec CFO
Former Walgreens and Tyson Foods executive Wade Miquelon was named CFO at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores.

Jo-Ann said as CFO Miquelon would oversee the retailer’s finance organization, real estate, information technology and general counsel.
Jewelry chain seeks shiny, new customer experience
Helzberg Diamonds knows its clientele expects quality, both in merchandise and in the service they receive.

So the Kansas City-based, 230-plus-store specialty jewelry retailer is implementing Oracle Retail XStore POS software, as well as other third-party customer engagement and payment processing technology. With retail system integration services provider BTM global handling all implementation, Helzberg will obtain point-to-point encryption, tokenization and EMV certification.

Restoration Hardware slips in Q4; sees new brand as $1 billion business

Production and shipping delays related to its new collection of modern furniture, which it also has launched as a standalone business, are taking a toll on Restoration Hardware Holdings Inc. as the high-end retailer issued a weak outlook for the current quarter.

Restoration Hardware (RH) reported its fourth-quarter earnings slid to $33.3 million, or 79 cents a share, from $42.5 million, or $1.02 a share, a year earlier. On an adjusted basis, the company earned 98 cents a share, which fell short of its own projection released in February.
Sales at Claire's fall in Q4

Claire's Stores blamed currency exchange rates and store cloures for its decrease in revenue in the fourth quarter.

The specialty retailer said that for the period ended Jan. 30, net sales were $402.6 million, a decrease of $9.8 million, or 2.4% compared to the fiscal 2014 fourth quarter. The company said the decrease was attributable to an unfavorable foreign currency translation effect of non-U.S. net sales, the effect of store closures, decreased shipments to franchisees and a 0.2% decrease in same-store sales.
Amazon to add yet another center to sprawling distribution network

A few days after announcing a new fulfillment center in Edgerton, Kansas, Amazon.com is unveiling plans for another new center that will serve customers a little further west.

Amazon plans to open a seventh California fulfillment center in San Bernardino, where the company launched its first Golden State fulfillment center in the state in 2012. The retailer currently employs more than 12,000 full-time hourly associates at its six existing California locations and says it will hire more than 1,000 full-time employees in the new San Bernardino facility.
American Apparel taps retail vet as chairman

As it moves to distance itself from the turbulence that marked its past two years, American Apparel Inc. has named three apparel industry executives to its revamped board of directors.

The retailer, which emerged from bankruptcy protection in February, appointed Paul R. Charron, former CEO of Liz Claiborne, as chairman, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Ikea partners with fashion designers to launch collections

Ikea has formed an unprecedented partnership with fashion designers to launch new limited edition collections in Canada.

Between April and September, Ikea will be launching three new collections created in collaboration with fashion designers from across Europe. The move marks the first time that Ikea has teamed up with fashion designers to create collections that respond directly to current trends and fuse various influences to give customers cutting-edge design at affordable prices.
Dollarama names founder's son as new CEO as sales surge

Canada's leading value chain has promoted its head merchant to be the new CEO as the company logs another quarter of impressive sales growth.

Dollarama Inc. has appointed Neil Rossy as president and CEO, effective May 1, 2016. Company founder and current CEO Larry Rossy will continue to play an active role in key areas of Dollarama's business as executive chairman.
Conn's to open new stores, names new chairman

Conn’s is planning to make investments in technology, credit and personnel in 2016 as the retailer looks to expand its footprint and improve profitability.

For the fourth quarter ended Jan. 31 the retailer said revenues increased 7% to $456.8 million. Same store sales decreased 1.7%. Conn's said its credit segment operating loss increased from $11.3 million to $19.3 million, driven primarily by bad debts.
Why Costco won’t have a problem with California’s $15 minimum wage

In a history-making move that would have a direct impact on the retail industry and food service sector, the state of California has moved closer to raising the statewide minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2022.
CityCenter enters into agreement to sell The Shops at Crystals in Las Vegas

Las Vegas -- CityCenter Holding -- a venture between MGM Resorts International and Infinity World Development Corp. -- announced that it has entered into an agreement with a venture led by Invesco Real Estate and Simon Property Group to acquire The Shops at Crystals in Las Vegas, for a purchase price of approximately $1.1 billion.
Ron Johnson’s Enjoy expanding

The nearly one-year-old online retail startup from Ron Johnson is expanding into new markets.

Enjoy, which sells higher-end consumer electronics that trained experts hand deliver and provide training for at no additional charge, has added Los Angeles to its delivery area. Its next market will be Chicago.

The company already services San Francisco and New York City.