News

HBC details omnichannel growth agenda
The number of Saks Off 5th stores will surge dramatically as will investments in technology as Hudson’s Bay Company said it will make higher than normal investments in growth initiative this year.
Twenty-seven year Walgreens vet named to Fred’s executive team
Fred's Inc. has appointed Rick Hans as executive VP and CFO. He fills the position left open when Jerry A. Shore, Fred's former finance head, was promoted to CEO in October 2014.

Prior to joining Fred's, Hans enjoyed a 27-year career with Walgreens, where he most recently served as VP of investor relations and finance. Hans previously held the position of director of finance and assistant treasurer, where he promoted a sound capital structure that subsequently provided the basis for major strategic acquisitions.

Exclusive: Deckers Brands sees the future of marketing

When it comes to marketing spending, Deckers Brands is doing more with less.

The Goleta, California-based vertical apparel retailer is performing advanced predictive analytics on the performance of different marketing activities for its North American direct-to-consumer Ugg specialty footwear business. This includes an e-commerce site, as well as 45 stores.
Analysis: Consumers not rushing to Amazon Dash

Although Amazon.com recently more than tripled the number of items available via its Amazon Dash buttons and cited some impressive growth statistics, actual use may be relatively low.

According to daily analysis of a panel of more than 4 million online shoppers from digital commerce research firm Slice Intelligence, fewer than 50% of people who had bought a Dash button before Amazon expanded the assortment on March 31 had ever actually made an order using one.
Staples puts stores to work with new test

Staples is looking to connect with a key customer segment and improve the productivity of its selling space with a new pilot program involving shared workspace provider Workbar.
Supreme Court rejects Wal-Mart class action appeal

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to take up an appeal from Wal-Mart Stores to throw out a class action judgment over its treatment of workers in Pennsylvania, Reuters reported.

In the case, hourly employees of Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club had brought a class action lawsuit, claiming they were not compensated for rest breaks and off-the-clock work as mandated in their policies. The case impacted some 187,000 Wal-Mart employees who worked in Pennsylvania between 1998 and 2006.
Best Buy bolsters appliance portfolio

Whirlpool Corp. will bring its Maytag brand of appliances to 600 Best Buy stores this month rounding out what was already an extensive offering.

Maytag brand products will hit the sales floor at 600 Best Buy stores in mid-April and also be sold online, the retailer said. The move expands Whirlpool’s assort at Best Buy which already includes the leading appliance manufacturer’s Whirlpool, KitchenAid and Amana brands. Best Buy also offer appliances from LG, Samsung, Frigidaire, Bosch and Electrolux.
30-year PepsiCo exec named CEO at Advance Auto Parts

From salty snacks and soft drinks to motor oil and car parts, Advance Auto Parts has tapped a lifelong PepsiCo executive to serve as its next CEO.
Speedy meals, green design mark Chick-fil-A’s newest Manhattan eatery

Just five months after making its Manhattan debut with the opening of its largest restaurant to date, Chick-fil-A has opened a second outpost in the Big Apple.
Christopher & Banks board member withdraws name

For about three hours the morning of April 4 it looked like Christopher & Banks had found itself a new board member, but then the company discovered a conflict that prevented the high level executive from accepting the nomination.