News

Petco puts its best paw forward for war dogs
Petco is putting a spotlight on the plight of military dogs who are left behind with an uncertain fate in a potentially hostile country.

The Petco Foundation has awarded $250,000 to the United States War Dogs Association to help return, reunite and provide medical care for retiring military and contract working dogs serving overseas with their handlers.
Poll: Minimum wage too low
New York -- A strong majority of Americans (72%) - crossing regional, political, generational, gender and income lines – believe the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour is lower than it should be. However, while Americans clearly feel minimum wage should be higher, exactly how high remains a more contentious subject.

Why retailers shouldn't depend on apps for sales

When it comes to the rapidly changing retail landscape and how retailers should respond to engage shoppers, it turns out that it's not all about the app.

A new study by Forrester Consulting commissioned by RetailMeNot Inc. shows that while today's consumers overwhelmingly prefer to access the Internet on their mobile devices, only 30% use retailer applications to purchase products. In fact, 60% of consumers have two or fewer retailer apps on their phones, and 21% have none.
Some good news for retailers in July

New York -- A report suggests that U.S. consumers aren’t letting the summer doldrums or world unrest get in the way of shopping — although not all retailers are benefiting.

Retail sales rose 0.6% in July month, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. Excluding sales of automobiles, sales were up 0.4%. Eleven of 13 major categories showed increases.

The Commerce Department also revised June's 0.3% decline in retail sales to an unchanged reading.
The turnaround plan at Kohl's isn't working

Kohl’s has joined other major retailers this week reporting disappointing earnings and anemic same store sales growth.

The Wisconsin-based retailer posted a profit of $130 million in the second quarter ended Aug. 1, below the $232 million in the prior-year quarter. Earnings per share were 66 cents, compared with $1.13 in the second quarter of 2014. Same store sales grew a measly 0.1%. Overall revenue increased by just 0.6%, to $4.27 billion for the quarter.
Target struts its style with attention-getting 20-page ad campaign

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. is reaching out to fashionistas with a splashly — and digital-savvy — insert in the most important issue of the world’s most influential fashion magazine.
Kroger teaming up with Liberty Mutual

New York -- Kroger is partnering with Liberty Mutual on a new loyalty card program for shoppers, Loyalty360 reported Thursday.

Kroger will reward loyalty program members with fuel points for purchasing insurance, according to the agreement.
New titan in the mobile payment wars

Move over Apple and Google — and make way for Samsung.
Stein Mart targets discount shoppers in N.Y., Mich.

Off-price retailer Stein Mart is accelerating the implementation of its store growth strategy just as thrifty shoppers increasingly flock to discounters.
Toys"R"Us looks to Netflix for roaring sales

Toys"R"Us has teamed up with Netflix on a new animated series that tells the tale of anthropomorphized vehicular dinosaurs.