News

Albertsons sets goal for cage-free eggs by 2025
Albertsons is joining other major retailers in working with its suppliers toward a goal of sourcing only cage-free eggs for its store operations.

The company, among the first and largest in the conventional retail grocery sector to make such a commitment, is making the move not only as part of its ongoing commitment to animal welfare but also in response to customer buying habits.
Another record-breaking fiscal year for Publix
Publix on Tuesday posted sales for the fourth quarter of 2015 of $8.2 billion, a 4.5% increase. Comparable-store sales for the fourth quarter of 2015 increased 3.2%.

“I’m pleased to report another year with excellent results,” said CEO Ed Crenshaw. “Our associates deserve the credit for continuing to make us a leader in customer service.”

Publix’ sales for the fiscal year ended Dec. 26, 2015, were $32.4 billion, a 5.9% increase from last year’s $30.6 billion. Comparable-store sales for 2015 increased 4.2%.

Ross Stores beats Q4 estimates; cautious about 2016

Ross Stores reported strong results for its fourth quarter. But similar to many other retailers, the off-price retailer sounded a cautious note with regards to sales and earnings for its new fiscal year.

Ross on Tuesday reported earnings per share for the fourth quarter ended January 30, 2016 of $.66, up 10% from the prior year, on net earnings that rose 6% to a better-than-expected $264 million.
Disney Springs gets big retail infusion — one with a Michael Jordan connection

The expanded Disney Springs (formerly called Downtown Disney) center in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., unveiled 30 new retail tenants that will be moving in when the project is completed.
Phillips Edison Grocery Center REIT makes strategic buys

Phillips Edison Grocery Center REIT II announced the strategic acquisitions of four grocery-anchored shopping centers in Colorado, Florida and California.
Grocer racks up another impressive year

Publix Super Markets hit a milestone in 2015 as it exceeded the $30 billion mark in annual sales and also racked up another impressive quarter.

The grocer reported that net earnings for the quarter ended Dec. 26, 2015, rose 15% to $521.1 million, from $453.3 million in the year ago period. For the full year, earnings rose some 13%, to $2 billion, compared to $1.7 billion last year.
Mobile POS market shows growth

The number of installed mobile POS units is growing rapidly.

Mobile POS devices surpassed 6 million units worldwide by the end of 2015, according to new research from IHL Group. The number of installed units grew by 64% during the year.

The vast majority of these units are being used in retailers below 50 stores in their chain. However, IHL reports it is beginning to see an uptick in enterprise mobile POS retail accounts.
Study: E-commerce fraud risk varies by location

When it comes to fraudulent online transactions, one state in particular may warrant a little extra attention from retailers.

Analysis of millions of 2015 e-commerce transactions by Experian indicates Florida is the overall riskiest state for billing fraud, followed by Delaware; Washington, D.C.; Oregon and California. Billing fraud states are determined by where the consumer whose information was illegally used resides.
Furniture retailer gets comfortable with labor management

Nebraska Furniture Mart needs everything under control to compete with larger chains, and is ensuring some of its most basic functions are running as smoothly as possible.

The Omaha, Nebraska-based retailer, which is a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary with four branded stores and one clearance store, has selected the WorkForce Software EmpCenter solution to manage labor at its retail, warehouse, and corporate home office locations.
Survey: Stores help those who help themselves

As consumers become more tech-savvy, they are becoming more independent in their approach to in-store shopping.

According to a new survey of 682 consumers from store technology provider InReality, shoppers are past the digital "cool factor" and looking for digital implementations in-store that offer the same type of self-directed shopping experiences they get online.
Starwood announces $50 million investment

Charlotte, N.C. -- Starwood Retail Partners announced a $50 million investment in an 11-acre parcel adjacent to Northlake Mall in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company plans to build a 200,000-sq. ft. lifestyle component complementing the existing two-story mall. Construction is set to begin by early 2017.

The project will include retail, dining, entertainment, landscaping, parking and pedestrian friendly areas.
Mixed-use development planned for Daniel Island

Charleston, S.C. -- Faison Enterprises announced it broke ground on its new mixed-use development, located in Daniel Island’s Town Center, Charleston, South Carolina. The project will include 317 luxury apartment units along with nearly 30,000 sq. ft. of restaurant and retail space.