‘The Daily Wrap:’ Staples, B&N, Costco
Staples Launches B2B Site
Staples Advantage, the business-to-business division of office supply retailer Staples, Inc., has launched a new web site, StaplesAdvantage.com, to address what the company calls customers’ growing demands for supplier consolidation and reduced procurement costs. Current and prospective customers can view the full scale of Staples Advantage’s products and services. Source: Staples Advantage
B&N Plans iPad App
Book retailer Barnes & Noble plans to soon release an iPad-specific version of its free proprietary eReader software. Apple has not said whether it will provide the app on the Apple iStore. Source: AppleInsider
Costco Workers Ratify Contract
Approximately 3,500 members of the Teamsters union working for discount warehouse retailer Costco at locations in New Jersey, New York, Maryland and Virginia have ratified a new, three-year agreement that includes wage increases and annual guaranteed bonuses. The wage and bonus increases will reportedly maintain the members’ status as the highest-paid retail workers in the country. Source: Unions.org
CSN Stores 2010 Sales Up 60%
Home furnishings retailer CSN Stores is reporting total sales for January and February 2010 that are up 60% sales for the same period in 2009, positioning the company for more rapid growth. CSN Stores operates more than 200 US stores with a product assortment of more than 20 categories. Source: CSN Stores
Big Lots Promotes Execs
Closeout retailer Big Lots has promoted several executives. Lisa M. Bachmann, Joe R. Cooper, Charles W. Haubiel II, Steven R. Smart, and Robert R. Seagal all received promotions to the EVP or SVP level. Source: Big Lots, Inc.
Kenmore Debuts Interactive Studio
The Kenmore hardware/home appliance brand is opening an interactive “Kenmore Live Studio” store in Chicago, IL. The store, the brand’s first, will feature extensive video and social media capabilities. Source: Sears Holdings Corporation
Ann Taylor Reports Strong Q4
Specialty women’s apparel retailer reported stronger-than-expected financial results for Q4 2009, including a 16.8% gross margin increase. Ann Taylor is forecasting profitable results and future growth during 2010. Source: Ann Taylor Stores Corporation
Williams-Sonoma Seeks Store Closures in Large Markets
Specialty retailer Williams-Sonoma intends to shutter an undisclosed number of stores in large, multi-store markets. Source: Retailer Daily
Minority Growth Represents Retail Opportunity
The increasing percentage of the U.S. demographic profile represented by ethnic minorities presents an opportunity to retailers, according to The Nielsen Company. In particular, retailers who sell CPG products and/or engage in mobile retailing can benefit from shifting U.S. demographics. Source: Retailer Daily
Google Throws Retail Inventory into the Local Mix
Google has introduced a new application that lets mobile users search local retailers’ inventory to see if a particular item is in stock. Source: Retailer Daily
St. Patrick’s Day Set to be Greener in 2010
American consumers are feeling more festive about St. Patrick’s Day this year than they did last year, according to the results of a recent National Retail Federation (NRF) survey conducted by BIGResearch. Source: Retailer Daily