News

Seattle -- Mobile payments took another step forward with the announcement that Starbucks Coffee Co. has entered into a partnership with Square, a mobile-payment start-up. Starbucks will invest $25 million in Square -- part of the latest round of financing -- and Starbucks chairman, president and CEO Howard Schultz will join Square’s board of directors. Square was founded in 2009 by Jack Dorsey, creator of Twitter.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Trianz, a global consulting and turnkey execution services firm with clients in the retail space, has expanded its leadership team. Trianz has appointed Joanne Mack, VP consulting, to its leadership team and also expanded its U.S. presence by recently opening an office in New York City.

By Jundong Song, [email protected]

In mid-June, Safeway, the number three U.S. food retailer after Wal-Mart and Kroger, capped two years of testing in selected markets and rolled out its enhanced reward program, “Just for U,” chain wide.

It’s a key move in loyalty card programs that all retailers should be watching.

The retail industry in general may not be so keen on the new Affordable Care Act, but the nation's largest retailer has come out in support of a Democratic proposal to control spending.

Walmart stores is endorsing a new plan, co-authored by former Obama and Clinton administration officials that would slow healthcare spending and keep it in line with wage growth.

Read more from the Reuters report here.

Little Rock, Ark. -- Dillard’s reported net income for the second quarter, ended July 28, of $31.0 million, up from $17.6 million in the year-ago period.

Total merchandise sales rose 2% in the quarter to $1.456 billion, compared with $1.426 billion last year. Same-store sales rose 3%.

Dillard’s CEO, William T. Dillard, II, stated, “Continuing on the momentum of a successful first quarter, we are proud to report a 97% increase in second quarter earnings per share.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Third-quarter sales for Stater Bros. rose more than $10 million during the period ended June 24, the retailer said Tuesday.

Third-quarter sales increased 1.14% to $949.8 million, compared with $939 million in third quarter 2011. Same-store sales also rose 1.14% during the third quarter. For the 39-week period ended June 24, sales rose 3.51% to $2.8 billion, compared with $96.7 million in the year-ago period. Same-stores sales for the 39-week period also rose 3.51%.

CINCINNATI — After delivering a 22% increase over the prior year in diluted per share for it second quarter (from 55 cents to 67 cents), Macy's Inc. has raised its full-year earnings guidance for 2012.

The company now expects earnings per diluted share to range from $3.30 to $3.35, compared with previous guidance for earnings per diluted share of $3.25 to $3.30. Guidance for same-store sales in fiscal 2012 remains unchanged at an increase of approximately 3.7%.

PHILADELPHIA — Pep Boys has been named as the exclusive distributor of Barett Jackson car care products within its new automobile restoration system.

The three-part automobile restoration system – which includes abrasives, paint and car care – is now available in at Pep Boys locations across the country and offers car collectors and enthusiasts an easy, unique way to complete the restoration of car projects from start to finish.