News

Amazon takes big step to fulfill small items
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 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.
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.

Dollarama names founder's son 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.
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.
Lululemon strikes familiar growth pose

To drive growth in 2016 Lululemon will again rely on a rapid pace of store expansion and an e-commerce fueled same-store sales increase after that combination enabled the company to achieve record results and surpass annual sales of $2 billion in 2015.

Lululemon dramatically increased its selling space last year, adding 57 new stores to a base of 316 stores to end the year with 363 units. The surge in new store construction is understandable given that Lululemon’s sales per square foot of roughly $1,500 is among the highest in retail.
Supplier survey bodes well for retail sales

If the major suppliers of soft goods such as clothing and accessories to retail stores are a bellwether of the economy, then the coming months are looking to provide a jolt as 75% of these suppliers expect retail sales to significantly outpace the gross domestic product for the spring and summer shopping season.

That’s one of the major findings of a new survey conducted by Capital Business Credit.
CVS Health Foundation grants to increase health access exceed goals, generate results

As part of a multi-year, $5 million commitment to increase access to health care in communities nationwide, the CVS Health Foundation on Tuesday released new data from programs supported through partnerships with the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics and the National Association of Community Health Centers.

The Foundation also announced $1.5 million in new grants distributed to 46 community health centers and free clinics for 2016.
Court rules Puerto Rico can’t gouge Walmart

A court ruling struck down a provision adopted by Puerto Rico last year that tripled the tax revenue the debt-laden island extracted from Walmart, Reuters reported. [Reuters]
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.
Destination Maternity gives turnaround update; loses CFO

Destination Maternity says its turnaround efforts are working to drive long-term growth despite a decrease in same-store sales during the fourth quarter.

The company said that for the fourth quarter ended Jan. 30, same-store sales decreased 3.5%. The retailer's net loss improved to $3.1 million compared to a net loss of $17 million in the prior year quarter. Net sales were $118.3 million, compared with $121.2 million for the comparable three month in 2015.