News

Sports Authority supplier slashes forecast
Sport Authority’s decision to file bankruptcy is contributing to one of its suppliers making a major downward revision to a 2016 profit forecast.

Performance Sports Group, a supplier of team sports equipment under the Bauer and Easton brands, slashed its profit forecast for the current fiscal year by 55 cents to a range of 12 cents to 14 cents from a range of 66 cents to 69 cents. Nine cents of the shortfall was attributed to anticipated losses from “a U.S. national sporting goods retailer that has filed under chapter 11.”
Advance Auto Parts adds board expertise
A Tesla board member and Walgreens supply chain executive are the newest members of the board of directors at Advance Auto Parts.

One of the nation’s leading automotive retailers, Advance Auto Parts named Brad W. Buss and Reuben E. Slone to its board. Both men bring interesting perspectives to the operator of nearly 5,200 stores.

Supermarkets dominate this ranking

When it comes to the customer experience, one retail segment stands out above all others.

Supermarket chains took 13 out of the top 20 spots in the sixth annual Temkin Experience Ratings, with regional grocers Publix and H-E-B earning the highest overall scores. Other supermarket chains in the top 20 were Save-a-Lot, Kroger, Wegmans, Aldi, Food Lion, Shop Rite, Giant Eagle, Trader Joe’s, Wawa (classified as a supermarket by Temkin), Winn-Dixie and Hy-Vee.
Another first for Amazon: A live shopping show

Photo: Frankie Grande, Rachel Smith, and Lyndsey Rodrigues host Style Code Live, Amazon's first, daily live show.
Dick’s Sporting Goods touts omnichannel success and new store growth

E-commerce has reached a new high at Dick’s Sporting Goods, but that doesn’t mean the nation’s leading sporting goods retailer is backing away from store expansion.
Physical stores big winner with gift cards

When it comes to redeeming their holiday gift cards, consumers overwhelming prefer brick-and-mortar stores.

According to a survey by the International Council of Shopping Centers, 77% of consumers who received gift cards planned to redeem them in a physical store.
Whole Foods Market expanding solar in a big way

Whole Foods Market has partnered with national solar providers NRG and SolarCity to substantially increase the number of rooftop solar units on the company’s U.S. stores.

The retailer aims to install up to 100 additional solar rooftop units on its stores. If the goal is reached, the project has potential to be among the 25 largest commercial rooftop solar installations in the country.
Neiman Marcus attempts to ban phishing

Neiman Marcus has a lot invested in its brand, and is trying to ensure criminals don’t reap the profits.

In an effort to identify and block fraudulent messages from cybercriminals designed to look like communications from Neiman Marcus, the luxury retailer will deploy the Return Path Email Fraud Protection solution.
Lowes Foods makes exceptional loss prevention effort

Knowing when things are right is important, but knowing when things are wrong may be even more vital.
Aldi adds another U.S. president

Aldi now has three co-presidents overseeing its rapidly expanding U.S. business following the promotion of Brent Laubaugh.

Laughbaugh, a 20 year veteran of the company, currently serves as VP of the Aldi division based in the Pittsburgh suburb of Saxonburgh, was named co-president of Aldi U.S. In that capacity, he joins David Behm and Chuck Youngstrom who will continue in their roles as co-presidents. All three report to Aldi CEO Jason Hart.
Walmart elevates merchants, marketers and operators

Photo: Greg Foran, Walmart U.S. president and CEO
Wholeshare cuts out the middleman

Specialty grocery delivery service Wholeshare takes what might be called a “democratic” approach to offering customers online access healthy food products.

“We let consumers buy natural and organic food as a group at wholesale prices,” said Matt Hatoun, co-founder of San Francisco-based Wholeshare. “We cut out the supermarket or natural foods store. We go to the same wholesalers they use.”