All North America articles – Page 29

  • News

    Toys R Us introduces Christmas season initiative

    19 September 2012

    Toys R Us has introduced an initiative for the Christmas season to ensure shoppers do not miss out on in-demand toys.The Hot Toy Reservation programme is a complimentary service that enables customers to reserve any toys from the 50 items on the Toys R Us annual ‘hot toy’ list.The system ...

  • News

    JC Penney wins legal dispute with rival Macy’s

    14 September 2012

    JC Penney has won a legal dispute with rival retailer Macy’s that prevented the former from selling Martha Stewart-branded products in its stores.A New York state judge ruled that JC Penney can proceed with its plans to sell Martha Stewart goods, denying Macy’s request for an injunction, The Washington Post ...

  • News

    PPR close to US Redcats sale

    12 September 2012

    PPR is close to selling its profitable US Redcats division and offloading its plus-sized and sportsman’s units, the New York Post reported. Sources said OneStopPlus has been put up for sale and is expected to fetch $400m to $500m (£250m to £313m).Private equity firms including TPG, Leonard Green, Berkshire Partners ...

  • Debenhams is now considering smaller stores in the UAE
    Analysis

    Analysis: Exploring international retail expansion

    11 September 2012

    Retailers are increasingly exploring international expansion, but securing the right property portfolio abroad brings unique challenges. Gina Lovett reports on developments in key global markets.

  • Victoria’s Secret’s New Bond Street store
    Analysis

    Analysis: Why American retailers are entering the UK

    6 September 2012

    US retailers are increasingly crossing the pond to set up shop in this country. Alex Lawson examines the opportunities and pitfalls they face.

  • News

    Peapod launches click-and-collect service

    5 September 2012

    Online grocer Peapod has launched a click-and-collect service in partnership with Ahold’s Stop & Shop chain.Shoppers can order groceries online through Peapod and then go to stores for collection. They must live within 10 miles of the store to use the service and payment is made online. Customers can shop ...

  • Michael Poyner
    Opinion

    Comment: A true brand is more than a fascia

    31 August 2012

    Many aspire to be a truly successful brand but very few succeed.

  • News

    Net income plunges at Best Buy

    31 August 2012

    Consumer electronics specialist Best Buy’s net income plunged 91% to $12m (£7.6m) for the three months ended August 4.That compares with $150m (£94.8m) in the same period a year earlier. Second-quarter adjusted operating profit fell 52% to $124m (£78.3m), hit by restructuring including store closures and job cuts.Total revenue fell ...

  • News

    Bookseller Barnes & Noble narrow net losses

    31 August 2012

    Bookseller Barnes & Noble recorded a 2.5% increase in consolidated revenues to $1.5bn (£948.4m) for its first quarter ended July 28. Net loss narrowed to $41m (£25.9m) as a result of cost savings. Sales at the retailer’s stores rose 2% during the period, or 4.6% on a like-for-like basis, benefiting ...

  • China is one of the main destinations UK retailers are targetting for new ventures
    News

    Retailers set sights overseas for sales boost

    28 August 2012

    Two thirds of British retailers expect their overseas sales to increase over the next five years and name Germany as the market most likely to provide growth.

  • News

    Target reports second-quarter sales increase

    24 August 2012

    Target’s second-quarter sales rose 3.5% to $16.5bn (£10.51bn). Like-for-like sales were up 3.1% on top of a 3.9% gain a year ago. Net earnings remained flat at $704m (£448.6m).During the quarter, Target added eight new stores, including its first three CityTarget stores. The retailer’s REDcard loyalty scheme penetration reached 12.8% ...

  • Despite Walmart’s strong results, footfall fell in Brazil, China and Mexico
    Analysis

    International analysis: Walmart slows expansion in some overseas territories

    24 August 2012

    Last week Walmart reported a strong set of results for its second quarter ended July 31.

  • News

    Major retailers begin test-selling through eBay

    17 August 2012

    Major retailers Target, Best Buy, Walgreens and Macy’s have begun test-selling through eBay in San Francisco. Shoppers can order products with the new ‘eBay Now’ app, available for Apple devices.Local stores’ inventory data is uploaded to the online marketplace Milo – acquired by eBay in late 2010 – with the ...

  • News

    Apple authorises US store employees to offer iPhone discounts

    17 August 2012

    Apple has authorised its US store employees to offer discounts on iPhones in an unprecedented move by the retailer.The initiative will allow Apple to match promotions offered by wireless carriers and third-party retailers, according to The Wall Street Journal.Employees may now offer discounts of up to $49 (£31) on the ...

  • Electricals chain Best Buy has been hit hard by competition from Amazon
    Analysis

    International analysis: Best Buy and Target venture signals full merger potential

    17 August 2012

    In what could be seen as a step towards to a potential merger, mass merchant Target has partnered with Best Buy for its consumer electronics expertise.

  • News

    Sales fall at department store group JCPenney

    15 August 2012

    Department store group JCPenney’s sales fell 22.6% to $3.02bn (£1.92bn) for the second quarter ended July 28. Like-for-like sales were down 21.7%. Online sales were $220m (£140m) in the period, a fall of 32.6%. The retailer said the results included the effects of its exit from its outlet business and ...

  • News

    Gap posts second-quarter revenue increase

    10 August 2012

    Clothing retailer Gap has posted second-quarter results for the period ended July 28.Revenues increased by 6% to $3.58bn (£2.3bn) from $3.39bn (£2.18bn) in the same period in 2011. The retailer’s second-quarter comparable sales were up 4% compared with a 2% decrease in the second quarter last year.Chairman and chief executive ...

  • News

    Richard Schulze in bid to purchase Best Buy

    10 August 2012

    Best Buy founder Richard Schulze is vying to buy the electronics giant in a $9bn (£5.8bn) deal.Schulze, who was ousted as chairman in June, already owns 20% of the retailer and is looking to team up with private equity firms to buy the remainder.Schulze’s financial adviser Credit Suisse said it ...

  • News

    Lowe’s aims to acquire Canadian competitor

    10 August 2012

    Home improvement retailer Lowe’s aims to acquire Canadian competitor Rona for C$1.8bn (£1.15bn).Rona has already publicly rejected the offer stating that “it is not in the best interest of the company and its stakeholders” and that it would prefer to remain focused on executing its business plan.Rona is implementing its ...

  • News

    Amazon introduces instant video app for iPad

    8 August 2012

    Amazon has introduced an instant video app for iPad. It will enable customers to stream or download movies and TV episodes from their Amazon library directly to the device.Amazon previously offered this service for its Kindle Fire tablet, but the latest initiative broadens the service to a wider audience and ...