News

Philadelphia -- Urban Outfitters reported net income of $83 million for the fourth quarter ended January 31, 2013, up from $39.26 million in the year-ago period, on strong same-store sales and higher revenue.

Total company net sales for the quarter increased 17% to $857 million. Comparable retail segment net sales, which include comparable direct-to-consumer channel, increased 11% for the quarter, while comparable store net sales were flat.

Chicago -- Vibes, a mobile marketing and technology company, announced the results of a successful mobile campaign aimed at engaging and increasing Build-A-Bear Workshop’s customer base through their mobile phones.
 

Join Chain Store Age on Thursday, March 14, at 2 p.m. (Eastern) for a free Webinar, sponsored by Microsoft, on how to use digital signage solutions to improve customer engagement, improve brand awareness, target specific audiences, and quickly update messages — all while reducing costs and driving sales. Also, see best-practice examples of how retailers are leveraging digital signage for their competitive advantage.

The speaker, Jeff Collard, president of Omnivex Corp., is a leading authority on the use of digital signage in retail.

By Denise Lee Yohn, Deniseleeyohn.com

Apple has once again rewritten the rules of business.  Its request to trademark the “Distinctive Design & Layout” of its stores has been granted by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. And so, as unconventional as it may seem, the Apple store’s distinctive minimalist design and Genius Bar service are now as protected as the rounded corners and user interface of the company’s mobile devices.  

New York -- Barnes & Noble Inc. signed an employment agreement with CEO William Lynch to remain in his post for another two years, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Lynch will receive the same compensation and benefits as before, but get an additional cash bonus of $1.8 million for his role in attracting investments from Microsoft Corp. and Pearson PLC in forming Nook Media LLC, according to a Reuters report.

Houston -- Charming Charlie announced that Tom Fitzgerald has joined the company as EVP, chief administrative officer and CFO.

Tom most recently was the chief administrative officer of Sears Canada, where he was responsible for store operations, IT, merchandise planning and allocation, logistics, sourcing, and store innovation.

Prior to his role at Sears Canada, Tom held several leadership positions at Liz Claiborne, and Bath & Body Works.  

A new smartphone app Walmart unveiled to suppliers on Thursday has the potential to drive improved in-stock levels and increase associate efficiency.

A vocal minority continues to keeps Walmart at bay in New York where reports this week indicated the company has pulled back on expansion efforts there.

Walmart’s efforts in New York have been a series of fits and starts so to whatever degree the company has pulled back, don’t expect it to last. Walmart will be back and there waiting for it will be those ideologically opposed to anything Walmart does.

BURNABY, B.C. — Best Buy has named Ron Wilson as its new president and COO of its Canada operations, effective immediately. In this role, Wilson will lead the business in Canada under the Future Shop and Best Buy brands, including online.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Genesco, a specialty retailer of sports apparel and accessories reported fourth quarter earnings of $38.7 million, or $1.63 per diluted share, compared with earnings from continuing operations of $41.5 million, or $1.72 per diluted share, for the same period last year.