News

Atlanta -– Net income at Havertys dropped 17% to $7.82 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 from $9.49 million in the same period the previous fiscal year, with higher selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses dampening profits. Havertys plans to open one new store in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 and four in new stores in the first half of 2015, three in new markets.   Net sales climbed 3% to $198.5 million from $192.72 million. Same-store sales rose 1.9%.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe's Companies Inc. has named 3M, Stainmaster and Truper as the company's 2014 Vendor Partners of the Year. The companies were selected for their commitment to product quality, innovation and customer service.   

San Mateo, Calif. –- Last year, Black Friday was the top date for “card present” (CP) fraud, where a payment card is presented in a store for unauthorized usage. Data science company Feedzai analyzed data representing $750 billion in payment volume and more than 17.5 billion transactions in both card present (CP) and card not present (unauthorized online card purchases, or CNP) environments.  

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Bi-Lo Holdings LLC, parent company of BI-LO, Harveys and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, has completed an ATM installation project with Cardtronics ATMs. As part of an ATM services relationship that began with Winn-Dixie in 2003, Cardtronics owned and operated approximately 470 cash machines for that grocery store in 2013 when Bi-Lo Holdings agreed to transition additional locations and banner names to Cardtronics.   

Minneapolis –- Hair salon chain Regis Corp. and specialty footwear retailer Red Wing Shoes both recently engaged Insight Inc. to refresh their store systems.

 

Regis rolled out the Insight Retail Ready program to refresh its network infrastructure, server, wireless and points of sale in more than 2,000 U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico SmartStyle salons located in Wal-Mart stores. 

By Nick Hidalgo, Redner’s Markets Inc.    The evolution of POS systems and other in-store innovations, such as self-service checkout and mobile payments, are changing how grocers serve their customers. While these solutions introduce convenience, they often result in a greater number of in-store devices and systems, as well as an increasingly complex computing network.  

Retailers are in for a “humbug holiday” with a 3.4% overall increase in sales and a deceleration in e-commerce growth, according to a new forecast from retail industry consulting and research firm Customer Growth Partners.

Get it before it’s gone is the message Amazon is sharing with holiday shoppers as it looks to drive sales of limited duration “Lightning Deals” supported by enhanced same day delivery capabilities.

Amazon’s countdown to Black Friday and then Christmas involves a strategy of featuring roughly 15,000 products the online retailer promotes as Lightning Deals because of reduced pricing during a tight promotional window.

Technological advancements and shifting shopper expectations have prompted Meijer and GE Lighting to embark on a major merchandising and first-of-its-kind education initiative.

As incandescent bulbs continue to disappear, the retailer and its largest light bulb supplier are creating a new shopping experience which will help shoppers navigate the many new options available as they prepare for the longer winter nights.

The Bill Blass brand is in for a breath of fresh air with the arrival of celebrated designer Chris Benz as new creative director.

Reporting directly to Stuart Goldblatt,  Bill Blass’ newly appointed president and CEO,  Benz will be responsible for the overall creative direction of the company.

Benz brings to Bill Blass years of experience in the fashion industry, including designing for Mark Jacobs and J.Crew, as well as his own collection CHRIS BENZ, launched in 2007.