News

Revlon has appointed former Colomer Group executive Lorenzo Delpani as the company’s president and CEO.

Delpani replaces David Kennedy, who served briefly as Revlon’s interim CEO since the recent departure of CEO Alan Ennis, who left the company to “pursue other interests.” Kennedy will continue to serve as Revlon’s vice chairman.

Rite Aid's same-store sales increased by 2.1% this month compared with October 2012. The pharmacy chain also issued an estimate of the negative effects of Hurricane Sandy on its sales.

The increase included a 0.6% decrease in front-end same-store sales and an increase in pharmacy same-store sales of 3.4%, which were lowered by 0.85% due to introductions of new generic drugs. Same-store script count increased by 1.1%. Total sales for the month were $1.961 billion, a 2.2% increase over October 2012. The chain currently operates 4,599 stores.

Specialty retailer J.Jill is preparing to roll out a redesigned store concept in four markets across the United States.

"The new approach to store design is based on our understanding of what is important to our customers. We want to delight her with our beautiful, versatile collections and inspire her confidence with our guiding service," said CEO and president Paula Bennett. "The new stores offer her a very warm welcome."

The opening of a new Sears Appliance & Hardware store in Dallas, Texas, marks two milestones for the hardware subsidiary operating under Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores. It is the debut of the smaller, neighborhood model that will become a company standard for all new locations and the first brand new Sears Appliance & Hardware store to open in the past 10 years.

Restoration Hardware has appointed Katie Mitic to its board of directors. Mitic, who will also serve on the board’s audit committee, has nearly 20 years of strategic product, marketing and business development experience.

“We are thrilled to have Katie join RH’s board. Her entrepreneurial mindset and digital expertise will be invaluable as we continue to evolve and enhance the ways in which we connect with our customers,” said Gary Friedman, chairman, creator, curator, and co-CEO.

Seattle -- Starbucks Coffee Company on Wednesday reported a better-then-expected 34% rise in its fiscal fourth-quarter and raised its quarterly dividend 24%. The company earned $481.1 million, up from $359 million a year ago.

Total net revenues increased 13% to $3.8 billion, just short of expectations.

Global same-store sales increased 7%, driven by a 5% increase in traffic. Same-store sales were up 8% in the United States and the Americas and 8% in China/Asia Pacific region.

Oakland, Calif. -- GT Nexus announced that The Children's Place, the largest pure-play children’s specialty apparel retailer in North America, has selected its technology platform and services to enable its global supply chain and support business growth. The cloud-based platform will help Children’s Place, which operates 1,116 stores and an online store, automate and streamline ordering, manufacturing and transportation processes.

New York -- Nearly 90% of Americans repeatedly buy products retailers have on promotion, according to a new survey by Syngera, a global technology startup that uses big data to bring personalized digital experiences to the physical retail store.  In the survey, 85% of respondents said they would return to brick-and-mortar stores when alerted to upcoming sales of previously purchased items.

By James McCandless and Kenneth Katz,  X Team International

The recent government shutdown has analysts scrambling to determine how much damage was done to the national economy. From a retail perspective, understanding the scale and scope of the shutdown requires a more thorough understanding of the issues at play; including a closer look at how retailers responded and a breakdown of how the lingering effects of the partial government closure may impact the holiday sales season.

The ripple effect on retail

Technology continues to evolve at a rapid-fire pace, empowering consumers and businesses with more options and expectations for shopping seamlessly wherever, whenever and however they want. And retailers need to keep up.

In order to succeed in this crucial time, the Naperville, Ill.-based, 900-plus-store office products chain OfficeMax, Inc. recognized that it needed to expedite decision-making to bring website improvements to market more quickly.