News

BERKELEY, Calif. — Annie's, a leading natural and organic food company, has appointed Ed Aaron to the newly created position of SVP of strategic planning and investor relations.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Leading firearms retailer Gander Mountain will open the state’s first dedicated Gander Mtn. Firearms Super Center in Rogers, Minn., by the end of April. It will be the retailer’s 12th store in the state.

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu has elected Rite Aid chairman, president and CEO John Standley and Cerberus COO and general counsel Mark A. Neporent to its board of directors.

PORTLAND, Ore. — ShopIgniter, a company that enables digital marketers to connect brands with social and mobile consumers, is bolstering its executive team, on the heels of updating its platform.

Electrolux reported net sales decreased 2% to $25.3 million compared with the same period last year. On an organic basis, adjusted for acquisitions, divestments and changes in exchange rates, sales increased 3.8% compared with the same period last year.

LOS ANGELES — Yowza, a leading mobile coupon app for iPhone and Android, has announced that more than 70,000 locations nationwide now accept Yowza coupons.

Sidney, Neb. -- Cabela’s first quarter profit rose 72.9%, topping expectations, on strong sales of firearms and ammunition. Net income rose to $49.8 million, up from $28.8 million in the year-ago quarter.
 
Revenue increased 28.7% to $802.5 million from $623.5 million last year. Analysts expected revenue of $770.5 million.
   

Sunbury, Pa. -- Weis Markets announced it would invest $135 million in its 2013 capital expenditure program, an 8% increase compared to the year prior.
   
“To position our company for continued growth, we have made record investments in our store base,” and vice chairman Jonathan H. Weis, at the company’s annual shareholder meeting. “Look for more of the same in 2013 when we increase our Cap Ex investment to $135 million – an 8% increase compared to 2012 – and a 33% increase compared to 2011.”

Seattle -- Starbucks Coffee Company reported that its second-quarter profit rose 26% to $390.4 million, up from $309.9 million last year, amid sales increases in the Americas and Asia regions.
     
Total net revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, rose 11% to $3.56 billion, not quite the $3.58 billion Wall Street expected.  Global same-store store sales grew 6%, driven by a 4% increase in traffic and a 2% increase in average ticket, marking the 13th consecutive quarter of global comp growth greater than 5%.
 

New York -- Chain Store Age is pleased to announce that Dan Berthiaume has joined the staff as senior editor, technology.  

Berthiaume, who started covering retail technology in 1998, brings a wealth of experience to his new position. He served as corporate content manager of Retail Systems AlertGroup from 1998 to 2006, writing and editing the company's retail tech publications and overseeing its website, and then moved on to a successful freelance career, reporting on technology for a variety of print and online publications.