News

It looks like the battle between eBay and investor Carl Icahn is over — for the time being. Icahn is withdrawing his proposal to separate the company’s PayPal business as well as his two nominees to the company’s board of directors.

eBay reportedly reached an agreement with Icahn, ending the proxy contest before the upcoming annual meeting of stockholders.

The Wild Oats brand will begin appearing on Walmart shelves this month as the retailer plans to offer 100 low priced organic dry grocery items.

Pier 1 Imports president and CEO Alex W. Smith described fiscal 2014 as a transformational year for the company, emphasizing the company’s continued focus on its ‘1 Pier 1’ strategy, which has evolved its operating model from a broad portfolio of stores to a true omnichannel retail business.

But the company had a difficult fourth quarter marked what it described as an unusually high number of snowstorms, which impacted approximately two-thirds of its selling days in many of its key markets.

In the wake of acquiring Houston-based RediClinic, Rite Aid reported revenues of $6.6 billion for the fourth quarter ended March 1, resulting from a 2.2% lift primarily attributed to an increase in pharmacy same-store sales.

For the full year, Rite Aid reported $25.5 billion in revenues, up 0.5%.

Stein Mart said that its March sales were unfavorably impacted by the shift of pre-Easter selling from March to April this year, as well as cooler-than-normal temperatures in many parts of the country early in the month.

Stein Mart’s total sales for the five-week period ended April 5 were $136.3 million, compared to total sales of $135.4 million for the prior-year period. Comparable store sales increased 0.9%.

Patrick Byrne has relinquished his role as chairman of Overstock.com and Stormy Simon was named president of the online discount retailer.

Family Dollar plans to close 370 underperforming stores, cut jobs and lower prices on 1,000 basic items following a disappointing second quarter, which was adversely affected by the extra week in last year's quarter, severe weather, holiday promotions and a challenging consumer environment.

The company is also slowing its new store growth beginning in fiscal 2015 to bolster its return on investment. It now anticipates opening 350 to 400 new stores as opposed to approximately 525 stores in 2014.
 

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores is teaming with the Cleveland Cavaliers for an unconventional promotion. The craft retailer will be distributing capes to fans at the second annual Superhero Night at the Cavs vs. Boston Celtics game Saturday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena.

Dole is bolstering its chopped salad line with two new All Natural Chopped Salad Kits. Dole All Natural Chopped Sunflower Crunch Salad Kit and Dole All Natural Chopped Sesame Asian Salad Kit are available at supermarkets across the country.

Major expansions at several U.S. distribution facilities in California and Kentucky increase UPS’ distribution capacity by roughly 460,000 square feet.

The largest expansion came at the UPS facility in the southern California town of Mira Loma near the Los Angeles Ontario Airport. The regional air hub gained 309,000 square feet of space to enhance its ability to allow retail and manufacturing customers to move shipment originating from Asia throughout the U.S. due to its proximity to transcontinental rail connection and major highways.