News

Dallas -- Zale Corp. narrowed its net loss in the fourth quarter to $8 million, from $19.7 million a year ago. Despite the loss, the retailer reported its first profitable fiscal year since the financial crisis in 2008.

Columbus, Ohio -- Express Inc. reported a profitable second quarter of fiscal 2013, with year-over-year increases in net income, net sales and same-store sales. Net income rose 7% to $16.8 million, in line with Wall Street expectations, from $15.9 million. The retailer raised its full-year guidance and also announced plans to launch its outlet business in the second quarter of next year.

Net sales for the quarter increased a better-than-expected 7% to $486.2 million, from $454.9 million.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Zarbee's Naturals has elected Neil Grimmer, co-founder and CEO of Plum Organics, to the company's board of directors.

“Neil is a mastermind when it comes to developing ideas, products and brands, and we are thrilled that he is joining Zarbee's board of directors,” stated Zak Zarbock, founder of Zarbee's Naturals.

Walgreens has entered into a partnership with Orlando Health, a comprehensive nonprofit healthcare organization based in Orlando, Fla., to provide coordinated and expanded healthcare services to its customers. 

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Chico's FAS’s financial results for the second quarter ended Aug. 3 were affected by a lower transaction count and average dollar sales, primarily because of lower traffic and the cycling of strong comparable sales last year.

The company reported net income of $43.6 million for the quarter — a decrease of 18.4% compared to $53.4 million in the year-ago quarter, and earnings per diluted share of $0.27, a decrease of 15.6% compared to $0.32 per diluted share in the year-ago quarter.

Express delivered solid second quarter results, buoyed in part by e-commerce sales which once again experienced a double-digit increase.

Same-store sales increased 6%, up 1% from the year-ago quarter. Factoring into that same-store sales increase were the company’s e-commerce sales, which were$59.9 million, up 27% from last year’s $47.2 million.

Net sales for the quarter increased a better-than-expected 7% to $486.2 million, from $454.9 million. Net income rose 7% to $16.8 million from $15.9 million and was in line with Wall Street expectations. 

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Skava, a leading provider of mobile, tablet and in-store technologies for U.S. online retailers, have appointed Vivek Agrawal, a 17-year veteran of commerce and omnichannel solutions to leading brands, as the company’s global VP of operations.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Snyder's-Lance has acquired all assets of Stateline Service Corporation, a snack food distributor in Massachusetts, as part of its growth initiative. 

HERSHEY, Pa. — The Hershey Company has selected Universal McCann to handle its global media planning and buying activities. 

Hershey’s global media assignment includes all paid media, including TV, print, digital and Hispanic for the U.S. business — the company’s largest — as well as Hershey’s growing international businesses.

Walmart will be making a progressing move and extending health insurance benefits to same-sex domestic partners of its U.S. employees starting next year, according to a Reuters report. 

The report stated that the retailer will also offer vision care to its eligible employees and their dependents.