All North America articles – Page 29
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News
Peapod launches click-and-collect service
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 ...
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OpinionComment: A true brand is more than a fascia
Many aspire to be a truly successful brand but very few succeed.
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News
Net income plunges at Best Buy
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 ...
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News
Bookseller Barnes & Noble narrow net losses
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 ...
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NewsRetailers set sights overseas for sales boost
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.
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News
Target reports second-quarter sales increase
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% ...
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AnalysisInternational analysis: Walmart slows expansion in some overseas territories
Last week Walmart reported a strong set of results for its second quarter ended July 31.
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News
Major retailers begin test-selling through eBay
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 ...
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News
Apple authorises US store employees to offer iPhone discounts
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 ...
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AnalysisInternational analysis: Best Buy and Target venture signals full merger potential
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.
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News
Sales fall at department store group JCPenney
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 ...
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News
Gap posts second-quarter revenue increase
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 ...
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News
Richard Schulze in bid to purchase Best Buy
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 ...
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News
Lowe’s aims to acquire Canadian competitor
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 ...
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News
Amazon introduces instant video app for iPad
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 ...
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News
Apple posts net sales growth
Apple posted net sales of $35bn (£22.29bn) for its third quarter ended June 30, up from $28.6bn (£18.21bn) in 2011.Net profit rose from $7.3bn (£4.64bn) last year to $8.8bn (£5.6bn).International sales accounted for 62% of the quarter’s revenue. Apple sold 26 million iPhones, representing 28% unit growth, while 17 million ...
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News
JCPenney to stock discount apparel brand
Department store group JCPenney will stock Canadian grocer Loblaw’s discount apparel brand, Joe Fresh, in 700 stores starting in April 2013. The areas, designed by the Joe Fresh team, will range from about 1,000 sq ft to 2,500 sq ft, and debut with women’s apparel. Joe Fresh products will also ...
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News
Amazon records increase in sales
Amazon recorded a 29% increase in sales to $12.83bn (£8.17bn) in its second quarter ended June 30. That was slightly below Wall Street expectations and compared with a record 51% growth for the corresponding quarter last year.Operating profit declined to $107m (£68.1m) from $201m (£128m). Revenue at the company’s North ...
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AnalysisAnalysis: What's the best route to international markets?
As trading conditions in the UK remain tough, retailers are looking overseas for growth. We look at the potential and pitfalls of the various routes to international markets.
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News
Amazon reveals exclusive agreement with Warner Bros
Amazon has revealed an exclusive agreement with Warner Bros Domestic Television Distribution to add popular TV shows to its Prime Instant Video catalogue.These titles – including shows like Fringe and The West Wing – will be available to Amazon Prime members this summer, adding to its Prime offering of more ...