News

PASADENA, Calif. — Avery Dennison Corporation’s first-quarter 2013 results were in line with its expectations, according to chairman, president and CEO Dean Scarborough.

The company’s total net sales for the quarter were $1.5 billion, an increase of 4% from $1.4 billion for the same quarter a year ago. Net sales adjusted to exclude the estimated impact of currency translation, product line exits, acquisitions and divestitures increased 4%. 

ATLANTA — Leading supply chain commerce solutions provider Manhattan Associates reported total revenue of $102.5 million in the second quarter of 2013, compared to $93.6 million in the second quarter of 2012. 

License revenue was $16.1 million in the second quarter of 2013, compared to $15.3 million in the second quarter of 2012. 

Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Spartan Stores and Nash Finch Company on Monday announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Spartan Stores and Nash Finch will combine in an all-stock merger valued at approximately $1.3 billion, including existing net debt at each company.

Nash Finch, which had revenues of about $4.8 billion last year, will become a subsidiary of Spartan Stores, which had revenues of $2.6 billion.

New York -- Supermarket operator Compare Foods announced that it begun the implementation of the Swift Shopper app created by ezCommerce Solutions. The app, designed for those retailers hesitant to invest in mobile point-of-sale, costs retailers nothing and doesn’t require any hardware, training or integration to implement. Customers download it to their phone/tablet for free (or upgrade for the low cost of $1.99) and it enables them to scan any barcode as they shop.  

It works in every store where cashiers have dual-line handheld scanners.

I was fortunate enough to attend the CashStar Retailer Roundtable in Portland, Maine, last week. Beyond getting to spend a beautiful summer day overlooking the sights of Casco Bay, I got to hear a lot of great speakers from companies including Google and Forrester Research discuss the latest trends in mobile commerce and electronic gift cards.

By Niklas Bjorkman, [email protected]

In retail we all struggle with data regardless if it is related to chain store management, logistic solutions, business intelligence at the head office, or ERP.  

Oak Brook, Ill. -- McDonald’s Corporation reported modest global gains in net income, revenues and same-store sales during the second quarter of fiscal 2013. Both its profit and revenue trailed analysts’ estimates.

Aliso Viejo, Calif. – Johnny Rockets has named Gary Campanaro as CFO. Campanaro previously served as CFO for the El Pollo Loco and Claim Jumper restaurant chains and has also held executive roles at Keith Companies, CB Richard Ellis and CKE Restaurants.

New York -- Starwood Capital Group LLC, the investment firm headed by real estate developer Barry Sternlicht, has joined the bidding for Saks Inc., according to a report by the New York Post. Starwood Capital invests in retail, office and residential real estate.

The bid by Starwood is worth about $2.5 billion, or $17-$18 per share, according to the report. The amount is roughly equal to a previously existing bid from Canadian retail conglomerate Hudson’s Bay, which also owns the Lord & Taylor department store chain.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot is not forgetting college students during the highly competitive back-to-school season, and to meet that segment’s unique needs, it has teamed up with Chegg, a student hub that offers various services to college students, including textbook rentals.