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San Antonio — The Progressive Retailers Organization was at the Westin La Cantera Hill Coun
Washington — The Nationwide Marketing Group (NMG) has been named a 2013 Energy Star Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The buying and marketing group for independent dealers was recognized for its outstanding contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by educating consumers about energy-efficient products, EPA said. A formal awards ceremony in will be held here on March 26.
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Washington — Sales at CE and appliance stores edged up 0.5 percent in February, to nearly $8.3 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.
But sales for the channel slipped 0.2 percent from January, the agency’s monthly retail sales tally shows.
In comparison, February sales for furniture and home stores rose 1.6 percent year over year, and e-tailers and other direct sellers saw sales climb 15.7 percent last month.
Total retail sales excluding food and automotive increased 7.8 percent in February.
Hoffman Estates, Ill. — Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, the new Sears Holdings spinoff, ended its first fiscal year on a high note.
Rising gross margins pushed profits up 22.2 percent to $9.7 billion for the three months, ended Feb. 2, while the inclusion of an extra selling week helped boost net sales 6.8 percent to $631.2 million. Excluding the extra week, comp-store sales slipped 0.5 percent.
Issaquah, Wash. — Double-digit growth in membership fees and a one-time tax benefit helped push Costco’s second-quarter earnings up 38.8 percent to $547 million.
Net sales for the three months, ended Feb. 17, rose 8 percent to $24.3 billion and comparable sales at U.S. stores increased 5 percent, excluding the positive impact of higher gasoline prices.
Membership-fee income rose 15 percent to $528 million, and the company enjoyed a $62 million tax benefit related to a 401(k) plan contribution.
Anaheim, Calif. — Home Entertainment Source (HES) has added 14 new members over the last four months.
The additions raise the membership of the BrandSource buying group division to more than 500 A/V specialty dealers and custom integrators nationwide.
Englewood Cliffs, N.J. — LG Electronics USA, Learfield Sports and Best Buy have joined forces on a new promotion aimed at connecting with millions of collegiate hoops fans and campus communities leading up to the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships.
Horseshoe Bay, Texas – Custom installer and system integrator Sound Design will mark its 20th anniversary with the April 1 opening of a new 4,500-square-foot showroom here.
“What better way to celebrate our 20th year as Texas’ premier custom-installation firm than to open a beautiful new showroom with all the latest home technologies?” asked owner Chris Bean.
Issaquah, Wash. — Costco reported an 8 percent increase in February sales due in part to a strong showing in CE.
Net sales hit $7.6 billion for the four weeks, ended March 3, and U.S. comps excluding gasoline rose 6 percent.
Continuing a 10-month trend, the No. 1 wholesale club described electronics as one of its “better performing” hardlines categories, contributing to a slightly better than mid-single-digit comp gain for the hardlines sector.
New York — Barnes & Noble isn’t giving up on its Nook tablets and announced partnerships with more content suppliers to make more TV shows and movies available for streaming or download to the 7-inch Nook HD and 9-inch Nook HD+ tablets.
Revenues in the company’s Nook business segment fell in the company’s fiscal third quarter by 25.9 percent to $316 million, which consists of device, content and accessory sales. Nook unit sales were lower, but digital content sales rose 6.8 percent.
Port Washington, N.Y. — IT reseller and multichannel retailer Systemax reported losses for the fourth-quarter and full year on restructuring charges and weakness in its U.S. consumer business.
Losses totaled $27.1 million in the fourth quarter, ended Dec. 31, 2012, compared with net profit of $14.7 million during the year-ago period, and the company lost $8.3 million for all of 2012, compared with a $54.4 million profit in 2011.
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