News

Mars Chocolate has announced a slew of new products, which range from Mars Bites to Dove Whole Fruit Dipped in Dark Chocolate.

Mars Bites give consumers a taste of their favorite candy bars in bite-size pieces. Mars is adding Twix, Musketeers and Milky Way bites to the portfolio. The suggested retail price is $1.49 for a 2.83-oz. sharing size. A 6-oz. stand up pouch is available for a SRP of $2.99.

Neptune, N.J -- Marathon Data Systems, which provides a cloud-based route management platform for companies with a mobile workforce, is launching its new delivery pick-up and drop-off feature. The new feature tracks load to ensure that all vehicles’ load capacity limits — like weight, volume and value — remain within required limits during the entire route, while planning the correct order of pickups and deliveries to best optimize routes.  

Target has further strengthened its marketing organization with the hiring of Kristi Argyilan as SVP, media and guest engagement, effective June 2.  

Argyilan will be responsible for leading and integrating the company’s paid, earned, owned and shared media initiatives.

Argyilan comes to the Target from IPG Mediabrands where she was most recently the president, Magna Global, North America. She has also held senior positions with advertising and integrated marketing agencies including Arnold, Hill Holiday, and Goodby, Silverstein & Partners.

New York – New York & Company Inc. swung to a net loss of $300,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 from net income of $1.6 million in the first quarter of the previous fiscal year. Net sales were $219.6 million, down 4% from $227.5 million, and same-store sales declined 2.2%.

Strong demand in Hibbett Sports’ core footwear and brand-focused apparel business helped drive sales in the first quarter. The sporting goods retailer opened a record number of new stores and fully converted operations to its new wholesale and logistics facility, but it’s not done growing its footprint in fiscal 2015.

Dublin, Calif. – By controlling inventory and expenses, Ross Stores Inc. was able to report a 4% increase in net income during the first quarter of fiscal 2014 despite bad weather and other negative factors. Net income totaled $243.9 million, up from $234.6 million in the same period the prior year.

First quarter 2014 sales increased 6% to $2.68 billion, up from $2.54 billion in first quarter 2013. Same-store sales rose 1%. Ross Stores expects same-store sales to grow 1%-2% during the second quarter of fiscal 2014.

Despite bad weather and a challenging retail environment, Ross was able to post net income increases in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 by controlling inventory and expenses.

Net income increased 4% to $243.9 million from $234.6 million in the prior-year quarter.

Total net sales in the quarter increased 6% to $2.68 billion, up from $2.54 billion in last year’s first quarter. Same-store sales rose 1%.

Although Fresh Market’s net sales exceeded Wall Street expectations, the company reported a decrease in profit for the first quarter of fiscal 2014, which it attributed to a slow start to the year brought on by severe weather in the majority of its markets.

Net sales increased 18% to $431 million from $366.63 million in the prior-year quarter, while net income fell 25% to $16.57 million from $22.12 million in the prior-year quarter. Same-store sales climbed 2.5%.