News

PALO ALTO, Calif. — Retail shopping app, Shopkick has named Alexis Rask as its new VP and general manager brand partnerships. As the head of Shopkick's newest business unit, Rask is tasked with leading and further developing shopkick's relationship with major brands in the CPG, consumer electronics, entertainment, toy/game, financial services and automotive verticals.

By Brian Ross, [email protected]

In today’s competitive environment, enterprise loyalty is king. Companies must embark on their strategic journey influenced by customer insights. These insights are gained through transactional data and allow for the shifting of mindset, culture and strategy across the entire enterprise – everywhere from merchandising and store layout to pricing. Sharing this information across the organization — beyond simply the marketing department – is essential to customer-centric merchandising.

ATLANTA — Foot Locker has rolled out retail technology provider RedPrairie's Enterprise Work force Management (EWFM) solution at approximately 2,700 retail stores throughout North America. Foot Locker, which operates retail brands Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Footaction, CCS, and Champs Sports, partnered with RedPrairie to help enable store associates to offer exceptional, highly interactive customer service.

Memphis, Tenn. -- Discount-store operator Fred's Inc. said Wednesday that its same-store sales increased 1.2% during the four weeks ended July 28, helped by markdowns that increased customer traffic. The company also raised its earnings guidance for the second quarter, citing a tax settlement with the state of Tennessee.

Total sales for the month rose 5% to $136.7 million.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — HSN Inc. reported that total sales for the company grew 6% to $767.2 million for the second quarter. Sales at the company's HSN segment increased 4% to $501.9 million, including 8% growth in digital sales. Cornerstone's net sales increased 11% to $265.3 million, including 17% growth in digital sales.

Adjusted EPS increased 10% to 67 cents compared with 61 cents in the prior year. GAAP income from continuing operations per diluted share increased 13% to 61 cents compared with 54 cents in the prior year.

The Chronicle of Philanthropy is out with its ranking of the leading charitable donors and Target ranked eighth in 2011.

Target donated $146 million in cash and $63 million worth of products last year, according the Chronicle. It is a significant sum that and equates to roughly 4.7% of the retailer’s pretax profits.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — With new clothes and supplies topping the list of what most parents are shopping for during back-to-school season, it makes sense that OfficeMax and Old Navy would join forces to maximize their offerings, delivering savings for customers and sales for them.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Big 5 Sporting Goods is seeing the positive effects of its merchandising and marketing strategies, with its first positive quarterly comps increase since the third quarter of 2010. The company reported a same-store sales gain of 1% for its 2012 second quarter ended July 1.