Chain Store Age Executive Fax articles from August 2002

Chain Store Age Executive Fax archives from August 2002

KB Toys. (New Stores, New Markets).(Delaware clearance center opens)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2002... KB Toys opened a clearance center this week at the Brandywine Town Center in Wilmington, Del. The 15.000-sq.-ft. location is the largest store in the specialty chain's 80-year history.

3-Day Blinds. (New Stores, New Markets).(Illinois leases)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2002... 3-Day Blinds signed leases to open at Twin Ponds in Crystal Lake, Ill., and at Oswego (Ill.) Commons.

The Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop. (New Stores, New Markets).(Texas store opens)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2002... The Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop open today at Parkdale Mall in Beaumont. Texas.

Piggly Wiggly. (New Stores, New Markets).(Cambridge, Wisconsin)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2002... Piggly Wiggly will open in a former Lon's Country Foods site in Cambridge, Wis., on Aug. 12.

Borders. (New Stores, New Markets).(Logan, Utah; Charlotte, North Carolina)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2002... This November, Borders will open stores at the Cache Valley Plaza in Logan. Utah, and at Piper Glen Shopping Center in Charlotte, N.C.

Sears. (New Stores, New Markets).(Brief Article)
August 2, 2002... Sears will open a store in Coon Rapids. Minn., on Aug. 17.

Country Curtains. (New Stores, New Markets).(Naperville, Illinois)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2002... Country Curtains leased space at Rivers Edge Plaza in Naperville, Ill.

Kohl's will take over J.C. Penney. (New Stores, New Markets).(Illinois store space)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2002... Kohl's will take over J.C. Penney's former anchor tenant space at Lincolnwood (Ill.) Town Center.

Club Monaco. (New Stores, New Markets).(Manhattan, New York, New York)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2002... Club Monaco will lease space at a former Cosmetics Plus location on 57th Street in Manhattan.

Barnes & Noble. (New Stores, New Markets).(Raleigh opening)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2002... Barnes & Noble will open in the Traingle Town Center in Ralegih. N.C., next week.

Jos. A. Bank. (New Stores, New Markets).(Virginia opening)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2002... Jos. A. Bank opened at Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax, Va.

CVS, Walgreens battle Medicaid, Massachusetts to cut payments.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 2, 2002... A proposed reduction in the Medicaid prescription drug program in the state of Massachusetts has spurred two retail drug chains to rethink their participation in the system. CVS pulled out of the program this week stating that the 11% reduction...

Saks sells part of credit-card business.(to Household International)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2002... In a deal valued at $1.4 billion, Saks Inc. will sell the majority of its existing private-label credit-card accounts, as well as the outstanding balances associated with those accounts, to Household International. The majority of the purchase...

Fleming's 2Q aided by distribution biz.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 2, 2002... Fleming's wholesaling business continues to prosper. Revenues for the food-distribution segment increased 16% to $3.41 billion in the second quarter ended July 13. Sales to Fleming's top 25 customers (excluding Kmart) rose 7.4%. Sales at...

George Mrkonic. (People in the News).(appointed at Guitar Center)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2002... Guitar Center elected George Mrkonic to its board. He is the former vice chairman of Borders Group, where he directed the book chain's international growth.

Woodworkers Warehouse. (People in the News).(Rick Welker appointed)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2002... Woodworkers Warehouse named Rick Welker as its VP, CFO, replacing Ron Franklin Welker most recently was senior VP, secretary and CFO of Rue 21, a junior sportwear chain.

A&P named Don Sommerville president of its name-brand division. (People in the News).(Brief Article)
August 2, 2002... A&P named Don Sommerville president of its name-brand division in the Northeast. He previously served as chief marketing officer: Also, Bob Panasuk was named president of A&P's Waldbaum's division.

Steve Woodward. (People in the News).(resigns from Bombay Co.)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2002... Steve Woodward resigned as senior VP of merchandising of Bombay Co. to become president of specialty retailer Illuminations. Carmie Mehrlander, chief executive and president of Bombay, will assume Woodward's duties until a successor is found.

Retail sales grow compared with 2001.(chain store sales index)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 2, 2002... The bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi/USB Warburg weekly U.S. retail chain store sales index rose 3.8% over the year-ago period, but dropped slightly over the prior week. The index hit 414.5, down 0.4% from last week's figure. The one-year anniversary...

Plus-sized kids apparel market growing.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 2, 2002... The current epidemic of child obesity in the United States is causing many retailers to expand their inventories of plus-size clothing for childre. The U.S. Surgeon General says the percentage of overweight American adolescents (aged 12 to 19)...

H.E. Butt. (Three Grocers Outline Growth Plans).(H.E. Butt Grocery Co.; Houston, Texas; Mexico)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2002... H.E. Butt will open a 68,000-sq.-ft. supermarket in the Houston area that will cater to African American and Hispanic shoppers, according to an article in the Houston Business Journal. The store, expected to open in spring 2003, will include a...

Movie Gallery adds to store base, again.(Brief Article)
August 2, 2002... Movie Gallery continues to grow through acquisition this year. The specialty retailer is spending an undisclosed sum to purchase 15 stores in Kentucky and Indiana from UBT Management LLC, a Movie Gallery licensee. In May, Movie Gallery bought a...

OfficeMax. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(Puerto Rico stores)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2002... OfficeMax plans to open up to six more superstores in Puerto Rico over the next two years. The office-supply chain currently operates eight stores in the U.S. commonwealth.

Mayor's Jewelers. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(sells stake to Henry Birks & Sons)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2002... Mayor's Jewelers agreed to sell a 72% stake in itself to Canadian retailer Henry Birks & Sons for $15 million. The deal gives Henry Birks the right to appoint the majority of Mayor's directors, and also to increase its stake in Mayor's to 82%....

Carrefour. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(Carrefour S.A. to sell 9.9% stake in PETsMART Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2002... French retailer Carrefour is looking to sell a 9.9% stake in PETsMART, its U.S. pet-care division. It has priced the offering at $194.3 million. It is estimated that the stake has a book value of $130 million.

Albertson. (Three Grocers Outline Growth Plans).(Oklahoma stores)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2002... Albertson's will invest more than $100 million into Oklahoma over the next four years. It already broke ground on a new store in Tulsa. Albertson's said the money would be used to support new store openings and the remodels of existing stores.

Super Valu. (Three Grocers Outline Growth Plans).(Super Valu Stores Inc.; D'Agostino Supermarkets Inc.; King's Super Markets Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2002... Super Valu is expected to expand its supply agreement with D'Agostino to include the recently acquired Kings Super Markets locations. Upon completion of the Kings purchase from Marks & Spencer; Super Valu will be the primary wholesaler for the...

The Home Depot. (New Stores, New Markets).(store opens in Mexico)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2002... The Home Depot opened its ninth store south of the border, this time in Mexicali, Baja Calif. Three additional stores-in Tijuana, Culican and San Luis Potosi-will be constructed in Mexico and opened later this year.

Scheels All Sports. (New Stores, New Markets).(Iowa opening)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2002... Scheels All Sports will open in April at Southern Hills Mall in Sioux City, Iowa.

Specialty retailer Kate's Paperie signed a lease to take over the former Planet Hollywood. (New Stores, New Markets).
August 9, 2002... Specialty retailer Kate's Paperie signed a lease to take over the former Planet Hollywood location on West 57th Street in Manhattan.

Charlotte Russe and Mia & Maxx. (New Stores, New Markets).(Florida leasings)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2002... Charlotte Russe and Mia & Maxx leased space in Sarasota (Fla.) Square Mall.

Nine West and Express. (New Stores, New Markets).
August 9, 2002... Look for Nina West and Express at Hollywood & Highland, a new development in Hollywood, Calif.

Aeropostale and The Children's Place. (New Stores, New Markets).(Texas openings)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2002... Aeropostale and The Children's Place will open at Sikes Senter Mall in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Electronics Boutique. (New Stores, New Markets).(San Francisco opening)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2002... Electronics Boutique opened its 1,000th store in San Francisco in the Union Square area.

Panera Bread opened within the Saks Fifth Avenue. (New Stores, New Markets).
August 9, 2002... Panera Bread opened within the Saks Fifth Avenue store at The Summit in Birmingham, Ala.

Tandy Leather Co. (New Stores, New Markets).
August 9, 2002... Tandy Leather Co. opened in Dallas.

Stony Creek Marketplace in Noblesville, Ind., added T.J. Maxx, Linens 'n Things, Shoe Carnival, Pier 1 Imports and Barnes & Noble as new tenants. (New Stores, New Markets).
August 9, 2002... Stony Creek Marketplace in Noblesville, Ind., added T.J. Maxx, Linens 'n Things, Shoe Carnival, Pier 1 Imports and Barnes & Noble as new tenants. They will open in August 2003. Elsewhere, Barnes & Noble will open in Queens, N.Y., near St....

Dillard's. (New Stores, New Markets).(Virginia opening)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2002... Dillard's opened in Virginia Beach. Va., at Lynnhaven Mall.

Economy concerns curb sales, comps rise a mere 2.6% in July.(retail sales)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 9, 2002... After strong sales in June, consumers tied up their wallets in July. Retail comparable-store sales rose just 2.6% industrywide in July, according to the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi's tally of 81 retailers. That compares with a 5.1% gain in comps...

Abercombie & Fitch. (People in the News).(John Fiske appointed)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2002... Abercombie & Fitch named John Fiske VP of human resources.

Winn-Dixie elected John Dasburg to its board of directors. (People in the News).(Brief Article)
August 9, 2002... Winn-Dixie elected John Dasburg to its board of directors. He is the chirman, CEO and president of Burger King. Winn-Dixie also appointed Dennis Wanley VP of produce and floral merchandising...

Kmart. (People in the News).(Lyman Locket promoted)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2002... Kmart promoted Lyman Locket to VP of logistics; human resources and chief diversity officer.

The Home Depot. (People in the News).(Brief Article)
August 9, 2002... Larry Mercer will retire later this year as executive VP of The Home Depot.

Designs reducing Levi's Dockers.(Brief Article)
August 9, 2002... Designs Inc. will shutter between 34 and 40 outlet stores as part of its efforts to concentrate on its 472 Casual Male stores, which it bought in May, The outlet stores affected include Levi's Outlet by Designs and Dockers Outlet by Designs. It...

Penn Traffic finds accounting error.(Brief Article)
August 9, 2002... Penn Traffic discovered an accounting error at its bakery-manufacturing subsidiary, Penny Curtiss, that primarily involved the overstatement of inventory. As a result., it will restate its financial results for the first quarter of this year...

Gap names president, launches ad blitz.(Brief Article)
August 9, 2002... Paired with a new advertising campaign, Gap promoted two veteran executives as part of its efforts to turn around its struggling operations. Gap named Gary Muto as president of Gap' domestic operations. He is the former president of die Banana...

New store concepts at three retailers.(Brief Article)
August 9, 2002... Wal-Mart is testing in-store "dollar store" boutiques at select locations by grouping existing merchandise that sells for $1 or less. It has no plans at the moment to sign leases for separate dollar sore locations. Nor does Wal-Mart plan to...

Study outlines back-to-school plans.(Brief Article)(Polling Data)
August 9, 2002... Fifty-three percent of teens aged 12 to 17 say their first choice for back-to-school apparel and footwear items will be mail specialty stores, according to a study conducted by Teen Caravan on behalf of the International Council of Shopping...

Circuit City's proposed spin-off of its CarMax Group subsidiary was approved by the Securities & Exchange Commission. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(Brief Article)
August 9, 2002... Circuit City's proposed spin-off of its CarMax Group subsidiary was approved by the Securities & Exchange Commission. A shareholder vote on the spin-off is scheduled for Sept. 10

CVS. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(Brief Article)
August 9, 2002... CVS will continue to dispense prescription drugs to Medicaid patients in Massachusetts for die time being. The decision came after acting Gov. Jane Swift issued an executive order that placed the lowered reimbursement rates on hold until Oct....

Fleming will supply Shipley Stores. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(Brief Article)
August 9, 2002... Fleming will supply Shipley Stores' 34 convenience stores in Pennsylvania.

Guitar Center. (New Stores, New Markets).(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... Guitar Center will open stores in Atlantic City, N. J., and Pasadena, Calif., in the coming months.

United Supermarkets. (New Stores, New Markets).(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... United Supermarkets is opening stores in Colleyville and McKinney, Texas, near Dallas.

Gart Sports. (New Stores, New Markets).(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... Gart Sports just added locations in Englewood, Colo., and Folsom, Calif.

Games Workshop. (New Stores, New Markets).(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... Games Workshop opened in San Francisco at Sony Metreon.

Sam's Club. (New Stores, New Markets).(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... Sam's Club opened in Riverdale, Utah. A Wal-Mart superoenter will open next door in one month.

The Home Depot. (New Stores, New Markets).(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... The Home Depot will reportedly open the first of three prototype lawn and garden stores named Home Depot Landscape Supply on Aug. 29. In Duluth, Ga. The other two stores will open in the Atlanta market on Sept. 12. The company hopes to add a...

The United Colors of Benetton. (New Stores, New Markets).(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... The United Colors of Benetton will open at The Summit in Birmingham, its only store in Alabama.

Pottery Barn Kids. (New Stores, New Markets).(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... Pottery Barn Kids leased space at Market Square Shopping Center in Chicago.

Stein Mart. (New Stores, New Markets).(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... Stein Mart added a store last week at Williamsburg (Va.) Shopping Center.

Marshalls. (New Stores, New Markets).(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... Marshalls opened at Broadcasting Square in Spring Township, Pa.

Sears. (New Stores, New Markets).(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... Sears opens this weekend in Rochester, N. Y., at Greece Ridge Mall.

Footaction and The Children's Place. (New Stores, New Markets).(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... Footaction and The Children's Place leased space at Chatham Village Square in Chicago.

Ames closing up shop for good, Wal-Mart too powerful a rival.(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... Say goodbye to the last regional discount retailer in the Northeast. Ames Department Stores said this week it will liquidate and close all of its 327 locations. The decision conies a few years after first Caldor and then Bradlees met a similar...

Ahold expanding Toys 'R' Us partnership.(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... It appears that toys and produce go together like peanut butter and jelly. Ahold USA says it will expand its relationship with Toys "R" Us and install toy boutiques in more of its supermarkets. The company has been testing the in-store toy...

Supermarket shopping habits changing.(shopping at warehouse clubs)(Brief Article)(Polling Data)
August 16, 2002... Shopping at warehouse clubs has become a double-edged sword for the American consumer. While shoppers are making more trips to the local BJ's or Sam's Club, many are realizing that. they end up spending more than they bargained for, due in part...

Nick Grayston. (People in the News).(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... Foot Locker appointed Nick Grayston president and CEO of Lady Poot Locker, replacing Dan Demicell, who resigned.

Alan Minker. (People in the News).(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... Frank's Nursery & Crafts named Alan Minker senior VP, CFO.

Murray Dashe. (People in the News).(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... Longs Drug Stores elected Murray Dashe, the airman, chief executive and president of Cost Plus World Market, to its board.

The Musicland Group. (People in the News).(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... Debra Brummer was appointed VP of Musicland.com. In addition, The Musicland Group named Ron Brunette VP of visual merchandising.

Jim Gentile. (People in the News).(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... Albertson's named Jim Gentile president. Northern California division.

Kent Kleeberger. (People in the News).(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... Too named Kent Kleeberger executive VP, COO and CFO, and Sally Bayer president of merchandising.

Kathryn Popoff. (People in the News).(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... Borders named Kathryn Popoff director of multimedia. and marketing, and Diane Mangan category director, children's.

Stephen Neal. (People in the News).(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... Giant Food named Stephen Neal senior VP of store operations.

Cablevision will close 26 Wiz shops. (People in the News).(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... It appears the only company that can "beat the Wiz" is its corporate parent. As expected, Cablevision Systems will shutter a number of its Wiz consumer-electronics stores in the New York City metro area. The move is part of the cable-television...

Gristede's to rival Kings in New Jersey.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 16, 2002... One month after failing to acquire Kings Super Markets, Gristede's plans to widen its battle with D'Agostino, the retailer that snatched Kings up from under its grasp. Gristede's plans to open its first store in New Jersey within 60 days and...

Supermarkets continue RX growth.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 16, 2002... Supermarkets now account for 18% of the retail-pharmacy marketplace. That percentage is sure. to increase over the following years since 60% of new supermarkets and 13% of remodeled ones are incorporating a pharmacy-services area. Those figures...

Back-to-school web sales to increase.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 16, 2002... America's students plan to make a large proportion of their back-to-school purchases over the Internet. A new study by BizRate.com shows that 78% of students will do at least some buying on line. That compares with 59% of parents of students....

Publix Super Markets. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... Publix Super Markets acquired an equity investment in Crispers, a 13-store quick-serve restaurant chain that features health-oriented salads, sandwiches and soups. Publix did not say if it would incorporate the Crispers operation into its...

99 Cents Only Stores. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... 99 Cents Only Stores reportedly plans to roll out a gourmet-food section at its store in Sacramento, Calif., according to an article in The Las Angeles Times.

The Home Depot. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 16, 2002... The Home Depot plans to open 80 outlets in Mexico within live years at a cost of $960 million. It hopes to end the year with 12 stores, up from nine currently

Designs Inc. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... Designs Inc. changed its corporate name to Casual Male Retail Group Inc.

Tiffany & Co. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(looks to increase shares in Little Switzerland)(Brief Article)
August 16, 2002... Tiffany & Co. is looking to increase its holdings in Little Switzerland to 57% from 45%. It is looking to acquire the common shares held by Seymour Holtzman and others.

New stores, new markets.(includes multiple records)(Brief Article)
August 23, 2002... Swim 'n Sport Shops opened a new format devoted to swimwear in Miami at The Shops at Sun set Place. The store is titled Swim 'n Sport Separates. Bed Bath & Beyond is taking over the space formerly occupied by Sav-On and Clifton's Cafeteria...