News

Leading packaging provider Silgan Holdings named long-time KPMG executive Joseph Jordan to its board of directors.

Silgan isn’t a name familiar to the average consumer, even though its products come in contact with millions of people daily. As a leading supplier of rigid packaging for shelf stable foods and other consumer goods, Silgan operates 87 manufacturing plants worldwide and generates annual sales of $3.7 billion.

New York – New York & Company grew its net income during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 11% to $6.9 million, from $6.2 million. Net sales fell 7% to $271 million from $291.8 million and same-store sales climbed 1.2%.

New York & Company attributed its improved net income to expense controls and increased merchandise margin. The company also cited the 53rd week in fiscal 2012 as affecting its negative net sales growth.

Mobile engagement solutions provider Scanbuy introduced a new version of its flagship platform the company contends is fundamentally altering the way marketers approach mobile campaigns.

Scanbuy introduced an all new version of its ScanLife Mobile Engagement Platform to enable enhanced interactions between brands and consumers through QR codes, Microsoft Tag, NFC, short URLs and other mobile triggers in their everyday surroundings, such as stores and restaurants, products and print advertising.

Alpharetta, Ga. - Almost half (45%) of brands see measuring ROI as a challenge in using Twitter as a marketing tool, followed by building an audience (42%) and engagement (37%). In addition, a new survey of brand marketers from Social Media Marketing University (SMMU) shows that 40% of brands agree that Twitter is an effective marketing tool and 25% strongly agree, but 31% are undecided, 1% agree and 3% strongly agree.

Despite having comparable store sales decreases in the fourth quarter and fiscal year, Books-A-Million saw core book business improve, driven by what president and CEO Terrance G. Finley  called a strong lineup of new titles.

Revenues for the 13-week period ended Feb. 1 decreased 3.7% to $157.9 million, compared with revenues of $163.9 million in the 14-week year-earlier period. Comparable store sales for the quarter which include comparable 13-week periods this year and last year declined 1.8%, compared with the same period last year.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group is launching a new business, Simon Venture Group, that will invest in retail innovation, focusing on technology opportunities that enhance the shopping experience.

"We believe we have only scratched the surface on applying technology to the retail environment in innovative, interesting ways," said Mikael Thygesen, chief marketing officer of Simon Property Group.

Tiffany & Co. reported a net loss of $104 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 thanks to a $473 million charge resulting from arbitration with The Swatch Group Dec. 2013.

The company reported net sales for the quarter of $1.3 billion, up 5% from $1.23 billion last year. Same-store sales for the quarter increased 6%.

The “AHH Effect” advertising campaign Coca-Cola launched last year with a social and digital first philosophy is getting a dose of old fashioned television this spring.