News

Protection plan provider SquareTrade launched a major program with Sam’s Club last week and this week the company named a former private equity executive to lead its North American business.

Raj Kapoor, a former Bain Capital executive, joined SquareTrade as SVP of North America to lead business development, field sales operations and business process teams.

Leading Midwestern retailer Shopko has reopened its garden centers and has reiterated its commitment to environmental sustainability as the world marks this year’s Earth Day.

Bebe Stores is updating its net loss per share guidance for the third quarter ended April 5 based on its preliminary financial results.

Comparable store sales for the quarter decreased approximately 5.7%. Net sales were approximately $93 million, a decrease of 17.2% from $113 million reported for the third quarter a year ago. The company said the sales decrease was due partially to one fewer retail week in January in the current fiscal year coupled with the closure of 19 unproductive stores since the prior year third fiscal quarter.

Washington, D.C. - The National Retail Federation (NRF) was recognized on Earth Day, April 22, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with its 2014 SmartWay Affiliate Challenge award. The EPA recognized NRF for supporting policies and practices that reduce truck emissions and enhance freight efficiency.

The SmartWay Affiliate Challenge is a national challenge developed by the EPA to acknowledge organizations that do an exceptional job supporting the partnership’s freight sustainability goals.

Barneys New York has launched an iPad app that offers consumers improved shopping functionality as well as relevant and exclusive content.

New functions on the app include a Personal Shopping scheduling tool, which Barneys touts as the first of its kind for a luxury retailer. Created in partnership with mobile development and design firm Fueled, the app is now available for complimentary download through the Apple iTunes store.

Oak Brook, Ill. – McDonald’s Corp. reported net income of $1.2 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, a 5.5% decline from $1.27 billion in the same quarter a year earlier. Total revenues grew 1% to $6.7 billion, from $6.2 billion.

RetailMeNot has some interesting plans in store for mall goers following an agreement with General Growth Properties allowing it to serve as the mall operators preferred digital coupon provider.

Plans call for RetailMeNot to test new marketing formats and beacon technology in select malls that will allow RetailMeNot mobile app users to be served hyper-targeted offers. In addition, the company said it will work with General Growth Properties on various undefined initiatives to enhance the shopping experience at its 120 malls, increase traffic and drive sales for tenants.

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- These days, virtually everyone is a cross-channel shopper: 95% of consumers frequently or occasionally shop a retailer's website and store, according to a recent survey by CFI Group that was sponsored by eBay Enterprise.

The study, “Omni-Channel Insights,” reveals that consumers expect exceptional service, while having the convenience of seamless in-store and online shopping.