News

NEW YORK - Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia announced that Kelli Turner will step down as the company's CFO and will be leaving to join a private company in the near future. A search for MSLO's new CFO is currently underway, the company reported. In the interim, MSLO controller Allison Jacques will serve as the company's principal financial and accounting officer.

CUPERTINO, California - Apple Thursday introduced its Mac App Store, which it claims boasts more than 1,000 free and paid apps. According to the company, the Mac App Store brings the App Store experience to the Mac, enabling users to buy apps using their iTunes account, download and install them in just one step. 

“With more than 1,000 apps, the Mac App Store is off to a great start,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We think users are going to love this innovative new way to discover and buy their favorite apps.”

RICHMOND HILL, ON and LAS VEGAS - Lexmark Canada has launched the latest addition to its award-winning lineup of Web-connected, all-in-one (AIO) inkjet printers – Lexmark Genesis.

The Lexmark Genesis targets professionals, small business and home office customers who are looking for an AIO printer that has innovative technology, is highly productive and is also bold and stylish, the company stated in a press release.

Redwood Shores, Calif. -- Ascena, parent company of Dress Barn, Maurices and Justice, said Friday that it has selected Oracle E-Business Suite Financials to streamline financial operations across the company’s growing retail operations.

FORT WORTH, Texas - Pier 1 Imports' same-store sales rose 10.3% in December, helped in part by more customers and higher average receipts. The company lifted its fourth quarter guidance.

Pier I used fewer promotions and clearance prices during the month than it did last year, said president and CEO Alex Smith in a statement.

New York City -- On the heels of a strong November, some department store retailers reported surprisingly weak December revenue. Results were impacted by a blizzard in the Northeast, which took a bite out of sales after Christmas.

The results raised some worries that the holiday season might be less stellar than some had hoped. Still, much of Wall Street still predicts that November and December spending will show the largest annual increase since 2006.

Expectations outpaced the willingness of consumers to spend during December, as large numbers of retailers reported results that were less than expected. Weather certainly affected the ability of shoppers to get to stores, as heavy rains pelted California and blizzards hit the Northeast, but that type of stuff happens in December. A bigger factor was that retailers were victims of their own success. Recall November was something of a promotionpalooza and shoppers found offers that arrived early and often to be irresistible.

Fort Worth -- Pier 1 Imports' same-store sales rose 10.3% in December, helped in part by more customers and higher average receipts. The company lifted its fourth quarter guidance.

Pier I used fewer promotions and clearance prices during the month than it did last year, said president and CEO Alex Smith in a statement.