News

Just four months after launching a major ad campaign, Staples named Frank Bifulco to the role of EVP of marketing where he will drive the brand’s ongoing repositioning.

A recent Infosys Rethinking Retail Survey found that 86% of consumers who have experienced personalization technology while shopping have admitted that it has influenced their purchasing decisions. Moreover, 69% of consumers responded to the study stating that consistency of customer service across physical and online stores was of importance to them.

Stamps.com has integrated its USPS shipping with Shopify, a leading commerce platform that allows consumers to sell online or at their retail locations.

Checkpoint Systems, a leading global supplier of merchandise availability solutions for the retail industry, has launched the next generation of intelligent electronic article surveillance (EAS) solutions.

The Evolve iRange is made up of six different EAS antennas, a broad range of EAS labels designed for visible and source-tagging application to various types of merchandise, and the Counterpoint iD deactivation unit for faster and consistent deactivation at point-of-sale (POS).

Target will test same-day delivery in three markets as the online shipping war among retailers continues to gain momentum. Target will launch a $10 rush delivery pilot in June in the Minneapolis, Boston and Miami markets, offering guests the ability to order as late as 1:30 p.m. in the afternoon and receive a delivery of qualifying items between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. the same day, the company stated in its recent quarterly call with analysts.

Aeropostale has added Stefan Kaluzny, managing director at Sycamore Partners, and Julian Geiger, former director and CEO of Crumbs Bake Shop and former chairman and CEO of Aeropostale, to its board of directors.

Arthur Rubinfeld is also stepping down as a director of Aeropostale. In addition, the company's board of directors will nominate Kenneth Gilman, currently a director of Zale Corp. and Kate Spade & Co., for election as an independent director.

Leading U.S. toy manufacturer Jakks Pacific has entered into a long-term licensing agreement with Sketchers to manufacture, distribute and market a line of toys and products inspired by the lifestyle and entertainment brand, and the Twinkle Toes children’s footwear brand.

The agreement covers multiple product categories including collectibles, dress-up and role play, Jakks’ miWorld line of miniature play environments, and a line of Skechers Twinkle Toes themed Cabbage Patch Kids, which will launch in June.

The smart shopping brand and magazine All You from Time Inc., doubled its Facebook community during the past year and recently surpassed one million fans.

The car Dollar General sponsored in this year’s Indianapolis 500 may have finished 14th, but the retailer’s race team gained notoriety for another reason.
 
For the first time ever, the pit crew for the Dollar General sponsored Schmidt Peterson Motorsports team contained a female member tire changer. Jessica Mace became the first woman to “go over the wall,” racing parlance used to described those who work on cars when they enter the pit stall, during the 98th running of the Indianapolis 500.
 

AutoZone marked its 31st consecutive quarter of double digit earnings per share growth for the period ended May 10.

The company reported net sales of $2.3 billion for the quarter, an increase of 6.2% from the third quarter last year. Domestic same-store sales, or sales for stores open at least one year, increased 4% for the quarter.

Net income for the quarter increased $19.6 million, or 7.4%, over the same period last year to $285.2 million, while diluted earnings per share increased 16.4% to $8.46 per share from $7.27 per share in the year-ago quarter.