News

Stein Mart CEO Jay Stein is focused on the company’s growth strategy, which includes plans to continue expanding the company’s e-commerce business, following second-quarter results.

Total sales for the quarter increased 2.5% to $298.2, while comparable store sales increased 1.3%. Gross profit for the quarter was $84.2 million, or 28.3% of sales.

By Deena Coffman, IDT911 Consulting

Retailers working to improve their security posture have a new threat to consider: Backoff malware. Although its appearances have been traced back as early as October 2013, Backoff is still inflicting harm in the retail sector by actively targeting point-of-sale systems, and the United State is its favorite target, according to TrendMicro’s analysis.

Kirkland's SVP and CFO W. Michael Madden has been promoted to president and chief operating officer, effective immediately. Madden will remain the company’s principal financial officer pursuant to S.E.C requirements.

The company also promoted SVP of stores/human resources Michelle R. Graul to EVP of stores and merchandising, and VP of finance Adam C. Holland to chief accounting officer.

Charlotte, N.C. -- The Cato Corporation reported that net income rose 6% to $15.7 million for the second quarter ended Aug. 2, from $14.8 million last year.

Sales increased 6% to $243.8 million, from $229.4 million last year. Same-store sales increased 3%.

"Second quarter same-store sales were in line with our year-to-date trend," said John Cato, CEO. "However, we continue to expect the second half earnings per diluted share will be within our original guidance range.”

Hhgregg has renewed its partnership with the Indianapolis Colts, extending the interactive football experience it provided last year. People at Colts games will be able to play Hhgregg’s Endless Blitz game on their smartphones, competing against other people in the stadium to win prizes.

New York -- A new Nielsen survey found that nearly 20% of consumers have already started their back-to-school shopping, and 75% plan to start within the next few weeks.

More parents are starting their shopping earlier than in the past, as 18% of survey respondents had already started their back to school shopping as compared to 7% at the same time last year. On the flip side, 15% are choosing to wait longer, while 50% do not plan to do any back to school shopping this year.

Crocs has appointed footwear industry and product merchant leader Michelle Poole as SVP of global merchandising, a newly created role, reporting directly to president Andrew Rees.

Poole, who starts her new role Aug. 25, will be based out of the Product Creation and Global Shared Services Center in Niwot, Colorado.

Grapevine, Texas -- GameStop Corp. on Thursday reported a second-quarter profit of $24.6 million, up from $10.5 million in the year ago period.

Revenue rose 25% to a better-than-expected $1.73 billion, helped by new game releases as well as solid sales of gaming hardware.