News

Columbus, Ohio -- Big Lots reported Wednesday that net income for the fourth quarter rose to $120.3 million, from $114.7 million in the year-ago period. Sales in the U.S. increased 4.4% to $1.7 billion from $1.6 billion, and domestic same-store sales dipped 3.5%.

For the full year, income from continuing operations dropped to $177.2 million, from $207.2 million in the prior fiscal year. This year’s results included $3.4 million in charges related to new inventory system implementation.

CHICAGO — Schawk, a provider of brand development and deployment services, enabling companies of all sizes to connect their brands with consumers, announced that it has appointed Jackie DeLise to the position of vice president of business development.  

By Mike Poldino, Motorola Solutions

Unless you have recently upgraded your point-of-sale (POS) systems, chances are the bioptic POS in your grocery store today can only scan 1D bar codes printed on the paper labels placed on items or on paper coupons. While that met the needs of yesterday’s POS, times have changed. And in order to provide your customer with the best possible experience at the POS, your POS needs to change too.

Beyond 1D — the new types of bar codes appearing in your POS lanes

Denton, Texas -- Sally Beauty Holdings announced that its board has approved a new share repurchase program authorizing the company to repurchase up to $700 million of its common stock. The announcement is the first repurchase authorized by the company in 2013, but the third in the last 12 months.

DALLAS — Neiman Marcus is inviting customers to create Pinterest collections featuring images from its Art of Fashion campaign for the chance to win a $1,000 gift card. 

The contest runs March 6 to March 27. One winner will be chosen by a panel of Neiman Marcus judges.

HANOVER, Germany — SAP announced that it has enhanced its OnDemand software solution to empower businesses to know their customers like never before, guide them through each step of the buyer's journey and groom customers to become loyal brand advocates. 

New York -- Vornado Realty Trust is selling 10 million shares of J.C. Penney Co. in an unregistered secondary transaction, according to reports by CNBC and other media outlets.

Deutsche Bank is shopping around the sale of the Vornado shares, according to the report.

Vornado is Penney’s third-largest shareholder controlling some 8.5% of the company. Vornado chairman Steven Roth sits on the company's board.

Dallas -- Alliance Data Systems Corp., a leading provider of loyalty and marketing solutions derived from transaction-rich data, announced its Retail Services business has signed a long-term agreement to continue providing the co-brand credit card program for multichannel retailer Gander Mountain.