‘The Daily Wrap’: Polo Ralph Lauren, Domino’s, WilcoHess
“The Daily Wrap” offers a roundup of the day’s biggest retail industry headlines. Following are some news items you may be interested in checking out.
Polo Ralph Lauren Boosts Net Income
Vertical apparel retailer Polo Ralph Lauren increased net income by 5.7% in fiscal Q3 2010. Polo also grew comparable store sales by 6% and reported gains in revenue, operating income and gross margin rate. Source: Polo Ralph Lauren
Domino’s Launches U.K. Facebook Campaign
Pizza retailer Domino’s is launching a new promotional campaign in the U.K. using the Facebook social networking site. Customers who register online as “superfans” receive special discounts and offers. Source: Brand Republic
WilcoHess Automates Gas n’ Sip
WilcoHess, a travel plaza/convenience store operator in the southeastern U.S., is partnering with vending solution provider Vendgogh LLC to install vending machines directly on gasoline islands at select WilcoHess locations. The installations, due to launch next month, will vend cold drinks. Source: CSP
Supervalu Releases New Private Label Diaper Assortment
Supermarket retailer Supervalu is releasing a new private label line of diapers called Baby Basics. Supervalu is promoting Baby Basics as offering superior quality and lower price than major name brand diapers and says it will soon release a line of Baby Basics training pants. Source: Supervalu
K-VA-T Steps Up Workforce Management
Supermarket retailer K-VA-T is automating time and attendance, analytics, absence management, and scheduling with HR technology from Kronos. K-VA-T hopes to drive store productivity while lowering labor costs and improving customer service. Source: Kronos Incorporated
Chick-fil-A Sees '09 Growth Continuing in '10
Fast food retailer Chick-fil-A, which experienced strong sales growth and store expansion in 2009, is forecasting those trends to continue in 2010. Source: Retailer Daily
Top Brands Offer Value
Consumers are most interested in brands that offer value for the dollar, and not just low price, according to the Brand Keys 2010 Customer Loyalty Engagement Index. Source: Retailer Daily
Home Depot Shuts Stores, Cuts Jobs
Home improvement retailer The Home Depot is engaging in some cost-cutting measures. Home Depot will close three stores and terminate 1,000 employees. Source: Retailer Daily
Verizon Unveils Digital Coupon Service
Telecom provider Verizon is offering a free digital supermarket coupon service for its wireless and FiOS TV customers. Customers can obtain Verizon SpendSmart digital coupons via wireless phone, TV or computer. Source: Retailer Daily
Outlying Penn Traffic Stores More Likely to Close
While Tops Friendly Markets, the new owner of bankrupt supermarket chain Penn Traffic, has not specified what or how many stores it will close, it has indicated that stores further away from Penn Traffic’s core central New York market are more likely to shut down. Source: Retailer Daily
