News

Jelly Belly Candy Co. will celebrate its American heritage with the introduction of two new patriotic bags of Jelly Belly jelly beans.

The All American mix, which consists of Very Cherry (red), Coconut (white) and Blueberry (blue), is now available in a 3.5-oz. bag that features Mr. Jelly Belly waving the American flag. The 3.5-oz bag of Very Cherry — the top-selling jelly bean flavor, according to the company — now features an updated design with a white gingham pattern and a graphic of ripe cherries that bring to mind summer picnics.

Edmonton, Canada – Lux Beauty Boutique has launched the SelfPay Shopper App from Digital Retail Apps. Since rolling out the mobile self-checkout app, Lux has seen results including 7% of all in-store transactions flowing through the SelfPay mobile app during launch weekend and higher than average transaction values when compared to purchases completed at the cash register.

Former Walmart CEO Lee Scott and Audit Committee chairman Christopher Williams leave some big shoes to fill when they step down from the retailer’s board in June.

Godzilla returns to the big screen in a few weeks and if the film’s classic representation of the oversize amphibian resonates with audiences retailers could be looking at solid sell through of Godzilla goods.

Brentwood, Tenn. -- Tractor Supply Co. reported an 11% rise in profit for the quarter ended March 29, to $48.8 million from $44 million last year.

Revenue rose 9% to $1.18 billion, and same-store sales increased 2.2% versus a 0.5% increase in the prior year period.

For the full year, the company said it expects capital expenditures to range between $240 million and $250 million, including spending to support 102 to 106 new store openings and construction of the new Store Support Center to open in 2014.

Sidney, Neb. -- With last year’s strong first quarter fueled by a firearms and ammunition sales surge, outdoor retailer Cabela’s Inc. saw this year’s quarter end on a less stellar note.

Revenue in the first quarter fell 9.6% to $725.8 million; retail store revenue decreased 9.4% to $440.9 million. Same-store sales plunged 21.7%, compared to the same period last year.

Net income was $25.7 million, compared to $49.8 million in the year-ago quarter.

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.

Washington, D.C. – U.S. consumers spent more than $21 billion on video game content, hardware and accessories in 2013. According to a new report from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the trade association representing the U.S. video game industry, called “2014 Essential Facts about the Computer and Video Game Industry,” 181.3 million Americans play video games.

Other findings from the report include:

• 51% of U.S. households own a game console, and those that do own an average of two;