News

In his first full quarter as CEO of the nation’s largest supermarket retailer, Rodney McMullen had the pleasure of reporting sales and profits that exceeded estimates and increasing the growth forecast for a company that was already poised to surpass annual sales of sales of $100 billion.

Increasing strength in Pier 1 Imports’ e-commerce business translated into better-than-expected sales that fueled the company’s overall financial results for the first quarter.

Total sales for the quarter were $419.1 million, a 6.1% increase versus $394.9 million in the year-ago quarter. Comparable sales increased 6.3% during the quarter, driven by increases in total brand traffic, conversion and higher average ticket. E-commerce sales exceeded the company’s estimates, reaching 9% of sales for the quarter.

Johnson & Johnson has added UPS chairman and CEO D. Scott Davis to its board as director. Davis will serve on the audit committee and the regulatory, compliance and government affairs committee.

Davis has been with UPS for 29 years and was appointed its CEO in 2008. Under his leadership, the company has expanded its logistics network reach and capabilities throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas. Davis plans to retire Sept. 1, and will remain non-executive chairman of UPS’ board.

Maybelline New York is rolling out the welcome wagon for Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima, who served as global spokesperson once before, from 2003-2009.

Lima rejoins current spokeswomen Christy Turlington, Emily DiDonato, Jourdan Dunn and Marloes Horst.  

AutoZone shares have traded above $500 for most of the year but the company remains an aggressive purchaser of its own stock and recently authorized the expenditure of $750 million to buy even more shares.

The recent authorization brings the total amount the company has spent buying back stock to $14.9 billion since the program began in 1998. AutoZone does not pay a dividend.

L’Oréal Paris has unveiled a free mobile app called Makeup Genius that allows users to try on products in real time by using advanced facial mapping technology.

Users can also scan a L'Oréal Paris product or advertisement to detect a color match, virtually try on individual products or test out curated looks from expert makeup artists, and share with friends and family on Facebook.
 

More than 1-in-4 Rite Aid locations now reflect the latest in healthcare retailing — the company's Wellness store format, the concept that serves as a cornerstone to Rite Aid's overall health-and-wellness solution, John Standley, Rite Aid chairman and CEO, told analysts Thursday morning.

"From a strategic standpoint, it's important to note that our Wellness stores will serve as a primary vehicle for launching innovative merchandising solutions, expanded healthcare offerings and, over the next few years, our relocation and new store program," he said.

The Indianapolis suburb of Plainview will be home to Walmart’s newest dedicated e-commerce fulfillment center when the 1.2 million-sq.-ft. facility opens early next year.

The retailer indicated in early June that Indiana would be home to its third e-commerce fulfillment center but did not identify the community at the time. Walmart’s other online dedicated centers are located in Texas and Pennsylvania. The newest facility will employ approximately 300 people with hiring expected to begin in October.

Omnichannel pricing solution provider Clear Demand and pricing intelligence leader 360pi have formed a partnership to put powerful new capabilities into the hands of retailers.

Skechers USA has filed a lawsuit against Reebok International for selling footwear that, according to Skechers, infringes on its Go Walk product line.

The suit, filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, seeks compensatory and punitive damages as well as injunctive relief for infringing on Skechers’ patent and trade dress rights and for unfair competition. The suit states that Reebok is selling the infringing products under the name Reebok Walk Ahead RS.