News

Safeway posted sales of $8.3 billion in the first quarter of 2014, representing an increase of 1%. The slight uptick in sales was primarily attributed to an identical-store sales (excluding fuel) increase of 1.8%, partly offset by lower fuel sales in 2014.

The identical-store sales (excluding fuel) increase of 1.8% consists of a 1% increase in price per item and a 0.8% increase in volume. Safeway's share of sales in all outlet channels increased slightly, and sales to its most loyal households improved during the quarter.

Philadelphia -- Destination Maternity Corp. reported that net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 dipped to $3.2 million, compared to $5.9 million in the same period last year.

Revenue fell 6.5% to $126.1 million from $134.9 million, and same-store sales decreased 5.1%. CEO Ed Krell blamed the disappointing results on inclement weather.

Amazon continues to power ahead with record first quarter sales, solid bottom line improvement and intriguing new initiatives to drive future performance.

Sales increased 23% to $19.7 billion during the quarter ended March 31, compared to $16 billion the prior year. The sales figure was comprised of product sales which grew 18.3% to $15.7 billion and service sales which grew 44% to slightly more than $4 billion. The company’s fulfillment costs increased 29% to $2.3 billion.

Boston – Online clothing donation service Fashion Project is partnering with Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman to provide a personalized charitable clothing donation service for customers who participate in the InCircle loyalty program. All members, regardless of their annual spending, can utilize the White Glove Clothing Donation service to donate used luxury clothing, shoes, and accessories to a charity of their choice.

Supervalu has elected Frank (Terry) Savage and Mathew Pendo to its board of directors.

Savage and Pendo were both appointed to the board as designees of Symphony Investors, a Cerberus Capital Management-led investor consortium, under the terms of the tender offer agreement entered into with Symphony Investors and Cerberus in connection with Supervalu’s sale of five banners to an affiliate of Symphony Investors. Symphony Investors owns approximately 20.9% of Supervalu’s outstanding common stock.

King of Prussia, Pa. - eBay Enterprise is releasing a new offering for clients using its Ship-From-Store solution. The new solution leverages EBay Enterprise’s solutions with freight companies to provide its Ship-From-Store clients with discounted shipping rates, free or discounted branded packing supplies and rebates for high-volume orders that they would not be able to obtain on their own.

Lowe's has promoted Michael P. McDermott to chief merchandising officer, replacing Michael A. Jones, who will assume the role of chief customer officer, effective April 30. The company also named Joseph M. (Mike) Mabry as strategy and experience design executive, replacing Robert J. Gfeller, who left the company last month.

Both Mabry and McDermott will report to Jones.

Pleasanton, Calif. – Safeway reported a net loss of $76.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to net earnings of $118.9 million in the same period a year earlier. The company is working toward closing its $9.4 billion merger with Albertson’s by the fourth quarter of the current fiscal year.