News

Dollar Tree delivered its 26th consecutive quarter of positive comparable store sales growth in the second quarter, but profit declined 2.6% thanks to increased freight costs and investments in higher-value products.

Consolidated comparable store sales increased 4.5% on a constant currency basis. Adjusted for the impact of Canadian currency fluctuations, the comparable store sales increase was 4.4%. Consolidated net sales increased 9.5% to $2.03 billion from $1.85 billion in the prior year’s second quarter.

Describing second-quarter earnings as "unacceptable," Sears Holdings chairman and CEO Edward Lampert added that his company's transformation is continuing and online sales are growing.

The company reported second-quarter net loss of $573 million, compared with a loss of $194 million in the same quarter last year. Revenues decreased $858 million to $8.0 billion for the quarter ended Aug. 2, 2014,

Walmart plans to launch its opening price point private label, Price First, nationwide in late third quarter.
 
The Price First line has focused primarily on consumables, as peanut butter, baking mixes and condiments are among the items being offered on the first tier of a good, better, best marketing strategy. Walmart has piloted the Price First line across 400 stores in the Southeast since last fall and will now be expanding distribution across its entire store base.
 

Walmart will be opening two Walmart Care Clinics in Columbus, Ga., and in Carrollton, Ga., on Aug. 29, according to a report in the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer published Wednesday.

Aaron's has tapped EVP and CFO Gilbert L. Danielson as interim CEO, effective following the previously announced retirement of Ronald W. Allen August 31.

The company announced Allen’s intentions to retire just under two weeks after posting disappointing second-quarter results.

Crocs has appointed footwear industry and product merchant leader Michelle Poole as SVP of global merchandising, a newly created role, reporting directly to president Andrew Rees.

Poole, who starts her new role Aug. 25, will be based out of the Product Creation and Global Shared Services Center in Niwot, Colorado.

During the second quarter, Ahold USA experienced a dip in sales, while its online grocery operation, Peapod, achieved double-digit sales growth.

Second quarter net sales were €4,408 million, 1.7% lower than last year at constant exchange rates. Identical sales growth excluding gas was down 1.8%, which included the negative impact of the post-Easter week falling in second quarter 2014. The retailer’s overall market share was slightly down, particularly in New England and at Giant Landover, the company stated.

Four years after it opened its first location in New York City, teen and pre-teen bargain retailer Five Below is set to open its first location in Brooklyn at the borough’s Gateway Center Aug. 29. The 7,500-sq.-ft. store will feature all of the company’s merchandise, all priced at or below $5.

Hhgregg has renewed its partnership with the Indianapolis Colts, extending the interactive football experience it provided last year. People at Colts games will be able to play Hhgregg’s Endless Blitz game on their smartphones, competing against other people in the stadium to win prizes.

ATM company Payment Alliance International announced Thursday that it would be partnering with Los Angeles-based SchoolsFirst Federal Credit union to brand ATMs at Rite Aid locations in the city.

Some 109 ATMs will be emblazoned with the credit union’s color and logo, and members will be able to use them without incurring an ATM fee. PAI, which owns, the ATMs, will operate and maintain them.