News

Gordmans Stores ended its same-store sales dry spell and successfully launched an e-commerce site in the third quarter, leaving CEO Andy Hall upbeat about the company’s prospects.

Gordmans, operator of 102 off price department stores, said same-store sales increased 0.8% and total sales increased 4.9% to $153.9 million in the third quarter ended Oct. 31. The company also noted that gross margin improved 50 basis points to 44.4% due to reduced markdown activity.

Ross Stores joined rival off-price retailer TJX in avoiding the weak traffic trends that have plagued other retailers in the third quarter, as shoppers continue to be attracted to value-priced merchandise.

Ross Stores reported that earnings per share for the 13 weeks ended Oct. 31 increased 15% to 53 cents on net earnings that rose 12% to $216 million. Sales for the fiscal 2015 third quarter grew 7% to $2.783 billion, with same store sales up 3%.

Walmart on Friday named George Riedl as senior VP, president Walmart health and wellness, reporting to Michelle Gloeckler, Walmart executive VP consumables and health and wellness.

A steep profit decline and deteriorating sales at two of Gap Inc.’s three flagship formats in the third quarter have CEO Art Peck looking ahead to what he expects to be better times.

A retailer noted for consistently strong online customer service has received top ranking once again.

For the second consecutive quarter, L.L Bean is the top-ranked company in Stella Benchmarks from StellaService. During the third quarter of fiscal 2015, L.L .Bean ranked within the top 10 for four of five service areas in Stella Benchmarks, including phone (No. 5), email (No. 3), chat (No. 7) and returns (No. 4). In shipping, L.L. Bean ranked outside the top 25.

Leading mall-based denim retailer The Buckle said its third quarter profits fell after strengthening online sales couldn’t overcome in store weakness.

Profits at the operator of 469 stores, billed as a denim destination, declined to $35.9 million, or 74 cents a share, during the third quarter ended Oct. 31, compared to $40.6 million, or 84 cents a share, during the third quarter the prior year. The profit decline was expected as The Buckle had previously reported that same-store sales had declined 5.2% and total sales had declined 4.1% to $280.2 million.

An analysis of Amazon.com’s holiday pricing for its best-selling items reveals two key strategic trends.

According to research from product intelligence technology provider 360pi, Amazon’s top two price dynamic categories: were best-selling office/school products (55% repriced one day to the next) and best-selling toys/games (45%).

Other categories that saw a high level of price dynamism were electronics and clothing, which are both highly contested gift categories.

The Bon-Ton says it is focusing on reducing expenses after a third quarter in which the retailer tripled its net loss and decreased same-store sales.

For the quarter ended Oct. 31, the Pa.-based retailer had a net loss of $34 million ($1.72 a share), compared to a net loss of $11 million (57 cents a share) in the 2014 quarter. Revenue totaled $623.4 million, down from $642.7 million in third quarter 2014. Same-store sales declined 2.6%.

More customers in more parts of the country now have access to more goods available for online order, with delivery the next or even same day.

Google and Amazon.com are trading blows in their battle to offer online delivery of a variety of goods, for a fee.

(Photos courtesy of Toys 'R' Us)