News

Survey: CFOs confident about economy
Chicago - Nearly half of CFOs expect the U.S. economy to improve during the next six months and only 9% expect it to worsen, according to the Grant Thornton LLP 2014 Fall CFO Survey. The biannual survey reflects the insights of more than 1,000 CFOs and other senior financial executives across the United States.
Pep Boy’s advances as CEO search continues
As gas prices decline and American’s drive more, Pep Boy should be in a position to benefit from a resulting demand for automotive maintenance with its unique parts and service model.

New pricing model enables Amazon customers to negotiate prices in select categories

SEATTLE - Amazon.com has added a new feature, called ‘Make an Offer,’ that allows customers to negotiate lower prices on thousands of items. The new pricing feature allows customers to offer to buy items at even lower prices. If agreed upon, customers can then purchase the items at a savings from the listed price.
Easy credit proves costly at Conn’s

A nightmare scenario unfolded at Conn’s this week when the company disclosed a huge third quarter loss, the departure of its CFO and withdrew guidance for the coming year amid disturbing delinquency trends in its credit card receivables portfolio.
Conn’s names interim CFO, reports net loss

The Woodlands, Texas – Conn’s Inc. has named VP and chief accounting officer Mark Haley as interim CFO in the wake of the departure of former CFO Brian Taylor. The company also reported a net loss of $3.06 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to net income of $24.38 million a year earlier, missing Wall Street expectations.
Tech Guest Viewpoint - Proximity Marketing brings Shoppers to Stores

By Alex Romanov, iSign Media The holiday season is a time of family, food, and frenzied shopping. Consumers are bombarded by messages, promotions, discounts, and offers, and retailers have to be smart about how they reach out to their customers. Email blasts or paper coupons just won’t cut it. In this mobile-obsessed era, proximity marketing is a powerful way to break through the noise and bring shoppers into your store.
A special gift awaits investors in The Buckle

Plenty of retailers talk about returning cash to shareholders, but none does so as aggressively as The Buckle which just announced a whopper of a special dividend.

The Kearney, Neb.-based operator of 463 stores said it would pay a $2.77 special dividend in addition to its regular quarterly dividend of 23 cents on Jan. 27 to shareholders of record on Jan. 15. It is the seventh consecutive year the debt-free specialty retailer of young men’s and women’s apparel has paid a special dividend on top of its quarterly payout.
Fitch predicts modest sales growth in 2015

NEW YORK - Overall U.S. retail sales (excluding auto) are expected to grow 3%-4% in 2015 although a variety of challenges will continue to constrain the performance of several retailers and retail segments, according to a new Fitch Ratings report. A gradual increase in the U.S. employment rate and real wages along with near-term benefits from lower gas prices will support retail sales growth.
Milestone for Papa John’s as digital, mobile channels account for 50% of sales

LOUISVILLE, Ky.- Papa John’s International has reached a milestone: The chain announced that digital and mobile channels account for more than 50% of its total U.S. sales (delivery and carryout), making it the first in the industry to surpass this milestone.
AutoZone motors ahead with inventory investment

The nation’s leading automotive retailer credited investments in inventory and favorable weather with helping it achieve its 33rd consecutive quarter of double digit earnings growth.

The company said sales for its first quarter ended Nov. 22 increased 8 percent to $2.3 billion while same store sales increased 4.5 percent. Profits for the period increased 9.3 percent to $238.3 million while earnings per share advanced 15.6 percent to $7.27 and were aided by the company’s repurchase of 571,000 shares.