News

Whole Foods healthier than thought
The nation’s leading natural and organic grocer proved its doubters wrong with a better than expected fourth quarter earnings report, a rosy outlook for the coming year and dedication to a long-term growth strategy.
Staples launches omnichannel holiday promotions Nov. 16
Framingham, Mass. -- Staples Inc. is launching holiday in-store, online and mobile deals starting Nov. 16 through Black Friday and Cyber Monday. In addition to discounts on a variety of items, Staples is offering an in-store and online price match guarantee, a new mobile app with a redesigned weekly ad page, daily deals on Staples.com, and shopping from in-store kiosks for items not available in the store.

Target names GM exec to new role

Jacqueline Hourigan Rice will join Target Dec. 1 as the retailer’s SVP of risk and compliance after holding a similar role at General Motors.

In her new role Rice will assume some responsibilities previously held by Ann Scovil who retired in March as vp of assurance, risk and compliance. Rice will also have responsibility for corporate security and Target’s suppliers. She will report directly to Target CEO Brian Cornell who joined the company in August.
Whole Foods plans 38-42 new stores as Q4 beats street

Austin, Texas -- Whole Foods Market reported that its net income rose a better-than-expected 5.8% to $128 million in its fiscal fourth quarter, ended Sept. 28, 2014, from $121 million in the year-ago period. The company also said it plans to open 38 to 42 stores, including five to six relocations, in fiscal 2015.
Bacchi named chief information officer at Choice Logistics

Robert Bacchi, Choice Logistics’ SVP of information systems has been named the company’s EVP and chief information officer. Bacchi will continue to report to Michael Katz, CEO of Choice.
Adobe: Online prices to be lowest on Thanksgiving Day

San Jose, Calif. -– Online prices are expected to hit rock bottom on Thanksgiving Day, lower than on any other day during the holiday season. According to the Adobe Online Shopping Report, record sales are expected for Thanksgiving with $1.35 billion and Cyber Monday with $2.6 billion, increases of 27 and 15%, respectively.
Texas gets its 80th Sam’s Club

The Houston suburb of Richmond is home to Sam’s Club’s 80th location in Texas following the opening of a new unit there on Thursday, Nov. 6.

Sam’s Club now operates 20 clubs in the sprawling Houston market and the 80 clubs the retailer operates in Texas account for more than 12% of the 643 Sam’s Clubs in operation nationwide as of September 30.
BDO USA: Retailers bullish on holiday, cautious on inventory; jobs top concern

Chicago -- The marketing chiefs of U.S. retailers are optimistic about the upcoming holiday season, forecasting a solid 4.1% increase in overall holiday store sales, according to a recent BDO USA survey. The projection is in line with the National Retail Federation’s 4.1% expected holiday sales increase, and is a full percentage point higher than actual retail sales gains in the 2013 season.
Columbia gone fishing

Columbia Sportswear launched it’s first-ever flagship Performance Fishing Gear (PFG) concept store at the Avalon Mall in Alpharetta, Ga.

Inspired by the performance, style and comfort needs of professional and recreational anglers, Columbia’s PFG collection is being embraced as a lifestyle brand by consumers of all ages in temperate and tropical climates across the Western Hemisphere, according to the company.
Roundy’s swings to loss in Q3 on impairment, expenses

Milwaukee –- Roundy’s Inc. swung to a net loss of $249.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 from net income of $3.2 million the same quarter a year earlier. A variety of impairment charges, including charges related to closing a distribution center, taxes and disposal of obsolete assets, drove Roundy’s into the red, along with higher operating and administrative expenses.