News

Target does back-to-school very differently
Target is always trying to appeal to a younger, hipper crowd, and its 2015 back-to-school marketing strategy is no exception.

The retailer has launched a new digital tool, Target Made For U College Styler, that allows the digitally inclined college crowd to design and shop for their dorm rooms and apartments.
Limited Too makes a comeback
New York – In a consumer culture obsessed with nostalgic “throwbacks,” a retail brand from the not-too-distant past is coming back. Specialty apparel brand Limited Too, which was consolidated into the Justice banner by then-parent company Tween Brands in 2009, is making a return.

Tractor Supply drives big growth in Q2

The CEO of Tractor Supply Company credited strong marketing and merchandising initiatives with a significant increase in same store sales in the second quarter.
Study: Advertising primed Amazon Prime Day shoppers

Seattle – The sales success of the July 15 Amazon Prime Day sales event did not happen by itself. A new IPSOS survey of 1.005 U.S. consumers commissioned by Cumulus Media/Westwood One has revealed advertising drove significant awareness for Prime Day.
Cabela’s misfires on Q2 profit and revenue; will open seven stores

Sidney, Neb. – Specialty outdoor retailer Cabela’s Inc. missed the target Wall Street set for profit and revenue during the second quarter of fiscal 2015. Cabela’s reported net income of $40.5 million, down 8% from $43.5 million the same quarter the prior year. Growing cost of revenue helped drive down profit. Total revenue grew 10% to $836.28 million, from $761.2 million. Consolidated same-store sales dropped 0.9% due to Canadian currency fluctuations, although same-store sales in the U.S. increased 0.8%.
Southeastern Grocers sells 29 stores to K-VA-T

Regional grocery chain Southeastern Grocers has agreed to sell 29 BI-LO stores to another regional grocery chain: K-VA-T Food Stores.

K-VA-T says it intends to continue to operate all of these stores under the Food City banner and hire the vast majority of their store associates, retaining their years of service.
True colors: What a CFO needs to know about paint

CSA: What is one of the first things a CFO should know when bidding out a paint project? JG: There are many factors that go into a store remodel, and paint is one that is generally seen as a wholly separate line item in the construction specs. And with paint, the first thing people tend to think about is the cost of the paint itself.
Wal-Mart takes control of e-commerce in China

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is taking control of its e-commerce operations in China. The discount giant has acquired the 49% of its Chinese e-commerce arm Yihaodian it did not previously own, taking full ownership of its e-commerce business in China.
Canada's largest grocer closing stores

Canada's biggest food retailer Loblaw announced it plans to close 52 unprofitable stores over the next year at the same time the company reported lackluster second quarter financial results.

Loblaw Companies has more than 2,300 stores, including Loblaws, Provigo, and Extra Foods. It also owns Shoppers Drug Mart.
IDC: Future of tech looks cloudy

Framingham, Mass. – The future of technology looks cloudy, and IT professionals should be pleased. In a new study, International Data Corporation (IDC) predicts the number of new cloud-based solutions will triple in the next four to five years.