News

Calendar helps Stein Mart sales in March
An early Easter helped Stein Mart post an impressive 7.9% boost in same store sales for the first quarter.

Stein Mart reported sales of $244.4 million for the nine weeks ending April 4, a 10.6% increase over that period the year before. The sales growth was especially strong in March, according to the release.

The company reported $155.8 million in sales for the five weeks ending April 4, a 14.2% increase over that time the year before. Same store sales were up 11.2% for March.
Coupons.com launches Apple Watch app
Mountain View, Calif. – Coupons.com Inc. is launching a savings and digital promotions app for the Apple Watch. Using the Coupons.com Apple Watch app, shoppers can add nearby digital savings at national retailers and restaurants.

Petco uses YouTube to promote pet adoption

Petco is leveraging the combined power of video and celebrities with its latest promotion, "Think Adoption First."
Home Depot offers omnichannel shopping experience

Atlanta – Spring has been a time for fixing up homes and lawns since anyone can remember, but The Home Depot Inc. is giving a modern twist to the process. The Home Depot is offering a variety of omnichannel shopping features, including an “expanded aisles” feature that bridges in-store products to items available on Homedepot.com.
Walgreens to close nearly 200 stores in restructuring
Pier 1 to close 100 stores over three years

Fort Worth, Texas – Pier 1 Imports Inc. on Thursday reported a declining profit for its fourth quarter and also announced that it plans to close 100 stores as part of a three-year real estate optimization plan.

Pier 1 reported net income of $33.1 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, down 22% from $42.6 million the same quarter a year earlier. Expenses related to the retirement of the company’s former CFO, as well as increased selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses, contributed to the decrease in profit.
Japanese eyewear brand JINS opens U.S. flagship

Japan’s largest eyewear brand is opening its first U.S. flagship store in California with a unique, gallery-like setting designed by San Francisco architecture firm Kwan Henmi.

Shoppers at JINS will be able to choose trendy, customized eyeglass styles for each face and personality with affordable prices ranging from $60 to $120, including high-quality aspheric lenses.
Amazon adds tech services company Seta International as development partner

Seattle – Amazon.com styles itself as a provider of everything its customers need, and that extends to software development. Amazon has selected Seta International as an official Amazon Software Solutions Provider.
Best Buy gets geeky in Canada

Best Buy is strengthening its commitment to educating Canadian kids about technology with the launch of a Geek Squad Academy.
Oracle launches new retail cloud services

Redwood Shores, Calif. – Oracle is releasing six new Oracle Retail cloud services that provide retailers with rapid access to enterprise-grade applications for managing critical e-commerce, customer engagement, order management, order fulfillment, loss prevention, and brand compliance operations.

The new cloud services stem from the Micros Retail solutions acquired by Oracle in 2014, and they are part of a growing portfolio of retail solutions hosted by Oracle and available by subscription.