Chain Store Age Executive Fax articles from January 2003

Chain Store Age Executive Fax archives from January 2003

Wal-Mart. (New Stores, New Markets).(Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to open supercenter in Texas)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2003... Wal-Mart is looking to open a supercenter in Lumberton, Texas. It already operates a discount store there.

Sears Canada. (New Stores, New Markets).(to open home improvement and furniture store)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2003... Sears Canada will open a furniture and home improvement store in South Edmonton Common in early 2003.

Kohl. (New Stores, New Markets).(Kohl Corp. to open stores across California)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2003... This spring, Kohl's will begin opening the first of 28 planned stores in Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange counties in Southern California.

A former Raley's store. (New Stores, New Markets).(changes banner to Food4Less)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2003... A former Raley's store in Henderson, Nev., has changed over to the Food4Less banner.

Gateway Center. (New Stores, New Markets).(Cato Corp. adds stores in various shooping centers)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2003... Cato recently added stores in Gateway Center in Clovis, N.M.; Amarillo (Texas) Plaza; Beltway South Shopping Center in Houston; Abbeville (La.) Shopping Center; and Forest Ridge Shopping Center in Asheville, N.C.

Barnes & Noble. (New Stores, New Markets).(Brief Article)
January 3, 2003... Among Barnes & Noble's new stores this year is a location in Worcester, Mass., at Lincoln Plaza, set to open in April. The chain will also open in Baltimore in the Woodholme Festival Shopping Center in June and in the Deerbrook Mall in Houston...

Dollar General. (New Stores, New Markets).(subleases space in Eckerd)
January 3, 2003... Eckerd subleased space to Dollar General in Trenton, Ridgefield Park and Lawrenceville, N.J.; and in Jackson, Miss.

Let the number-crunching begin, holiday 2002 fails to satisfy many.(Brief Article)
January 3, 2003... Holidays are the retail industry's leading cause of statistics, and there's no shortage of numbers from the 2002 season. There is a shortage of satisfaction, however. Standard & Poor's is cautiously optimistic that retail sales will wage a...

FAO plays for keeps, 70 stores to close.(Brief Article)
January 3, 2003... Facing a potential liquidity crisis, FAO bit the bullet and bought some time. The King of Prussia, Pa.-based toy chain will close as many as 70 underperforming stores by the end of March. FAO, formerly known as The Right Start, also bought time...

Kmart Corp. third-quarter loss widens.(Brief Article)
January 3, 2003... A filing delay did little to lift struggling Kmart Corp. The chain's third-quarter report showed a loss of $383 million for the period ended Oct. 30, compared to a restated loss of $249 million for third quarter in 2001. Same-store sales...

bebe stores. (People in the News).(executive resignation)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2003... Jamel Bennoui resigned as VP of manufacturing for Brisbane, Calif.-based bebe stores. The chain has yet to announce his successor.

Gateway. (People in the News).(executive appointment)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2003... Gateway, based in Poway, Calif. named Joe Formichelli as executive VP of operations.

Ingles Markets. (People in the News).(president Vic fisher retires)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2003... Ingles Markets president Vic Fisher retired. He will remain interim president until a replacement is named.

Sport Chalet. (People in the News).(management team given buyout option)
January 3, 2003... In the event of the death of Sport Chalet founder Norbert Olberz, the retailer's executive management team has been given the option of buying the chain. Today, Olberz holds a 66% stake.

Progressive Concepts Communications. (People in the News).(executive appointment)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2003... Progressive Concepts Communications, parent company of retailer Hawk Electronics, hired George Hechtman as chief operating officer. Previously, he was VP and northern regional head of Good Guys.

Hanover Direct. (People in the News).(executive appointment)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2003... Catalog and Internet retailer Hanover Direct, Edgewater, N.J., appointed Robert Masson to its board of directors. He replaces David Hakman in the five-member board.

G Street Fabrics. (People in the News).(executive appointments)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2003... Washington, D.C.-area chain G Street Fabrics appointed Rebecca Geshelin as its CFO and Greg Young as CIO.

Advance Auto Parts. (People in the News).(executive appointment)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2003... Roanoke, Va.-based Advance Auto Parts appointed Gilbert Ray to the company's board of directors.

Barnesandnoble.com. (People in the News).(Brief Article)
January 3, 2003... According to a filing made with the Security & Exchange Commission, Barnesandnoble.com CEO Marie Toulantis bought 400,000 of the company's Class A common shares last Friday from company chairman Leonard Riggio. The shares were bought at $1.10...

Wal-Mart Stores wins one and loses one.(wins case in Puerto Rico, but found guilty of forcing employees to work overtime without pay)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2003... The nation's largest retailer prevailed in court in Puerto Rico, where it will go ahead with the purchase of 32 supermarkets. But a jury in Portland, Ore., found Wal-Mart Stores forced employees to work overtime without pay. U.S. District Judge...

Nice prototype, but where's the 'wow'?(Federated Department Stores' prototype received mixed reviews )(Brief Article)
January 3, 2003... Federated Department Stores' prototype that rolled out last year to 42 stores received mixed reviews from retail consultant Merrill Lehrer, of Retail Samurai Sales. The new design includes benefits such as central checkouts near the exits,...

NationsRent. (This Weeks Retail News Nuggets).(plans reorganization)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2003... NationsRent filed a consensual plan of reorganization, drawn up by lenders and creditors. The construction-equipment-rental chain of 247 stores in 26 states will bring its plan to a hearing Jan. 27.

Pacific Sunwear of California. (This Weeks Retail News Nuggets).(issues three-for-two stock split)
January 3, 2003... Pacific Sunwear of California gave shareholders a thee-for-two stock split.

Ethan Allen. (This Weeks Retail News Nuggets).(opens first store in China)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2003... Ethan Allen continued its overseas expansion with the opening of its first store in China, a 14,500-sq.-ft. location in Tianjin.

The Home Depot. (This Weeks Retail News Nuggets).(opens 1500th store in Abilene Texas)
January 3, 2003... The Home Depot hit the 1,500-store milestone with an opening in Abilene, Texas.

BizRate.com. (This Weeks Retail News Nuggets).(e-commerce during the holidays)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2003... Consumer spending on line hit $7.92 billion for the holiday season, a 23% increase over the longer holiday period last year, according to Los Angeles-based research firm BizRate.com. When comparing the same calendar period (Nov. 19-Dec. 25),...

CBL & Associates. (This Weeks Retail News Nuggets).(buys malls)(Brief Article)
January 3, 2003... CBL & Associates bought Westmoreland Mall, a 981,500-sq.-ft. regional mall, and Westmoreland Crossing, an associated 277,300-sq.-ft. shopping center. The two acquisitions are located near Pittsburgh, Pa.

New stores, new markets.(briefs regarding store openings)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... West Marine will open new stores later this month in Seabrook, Texas; Englewood, Fla.; and Carolina Beach, N.C. It will also open remodeled stores in Marathon and Palm Beach, Fla. Aldi plans to open up to four supermarkets in Oklahoma City...

A tale of two holiday seasons; comps increase 1% in December.(retailers sell some $212 billion in merchandise in 2002 season )(Illustration)
January 10, 2003... It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. That's how the recent holiday season has been described, depending on whom you ask. Retail comparable-store sales rose just 1% last December, according to the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi. That...

Bi-Lo. (People in the News).(CEO Dean Cohagan will assume duties as CEO of Bruno's, sister company)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Jim Demme resigned as CEO of Bruno's, a division of Ahold USA. Dean Cohagan, CEO of sister company Bi-Lo, will assume his duties.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (People in the News).(Edward Mueller will take over as CEO for Dale Hilpert, who resigned)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Dale Hilpert resigned as CEO of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Taking over his position will be Edward Mueller, who has served as a director since 1999.

GroceryWorks. (People in the News).(Mitchell Rhodes named president, while Gary Rocheleau rejoins Safeway)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Mitchell Rhodes was named president of Grocery Works, the on-line grocery provider for Safeway. He replaces Gary Rocheleau, who has rejoined Safeway.

GNC. (People in the News).(JJ Sorrenti is named senior VP of retail stores)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... GNC promoted J.J. Sorrenti to senior VP of retail stores.

Factory 2-U Stores. (People in the News).(names Melvin Redman as executive VP of store operations and distribution)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Factory 2-U Stores hired Melvin Redman, a former Wal-Mart executive, as its new executive VP of store operations and distribution.

Pep Boys. (People in the News).(to see Mitchell Leibovitz retire as chairman and CEO )(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Mitchell Leibovitz plans to retire as chairman and CEO of Pep Boys later this year.

Musicland will shutter 110 locations.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... After telling analysts late last year that Musicland would shutter some of its locations, Best Buy chief executive Brad Anderson is making good on his word. The retailer plans to shutter 90 Sam Goody stores and roughly 20 of its Suncoast...

No slowdown for post-holiday spending.(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Consumers have no intention of slowing down spending and will continue to buy big-ticket items where they can find good value for their cash. That's the opinion of Carl Steidtmann, chief economist of Deloitte Research. "Consumers haven't tucked...

Wal-Mart testing financial services.(Wal-Mart testing check-cashing and check-ordering services in select stores)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Sticking to its word, Wal-Mart began testing in-store checking services at select locations. The discount retailer stated late last year that it would still move into the financial-services business despite its failure to acquire Franklin Bank...

Sunshine Food Markets. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(sells five South Dakota outlets to Nash Finch)
January 10, 2003... Nash Finch spent an undisclosed sum to acquire five Sunshine Food Markets stores in South Dakota.

Ahold USA. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(integrating back offices of four of its six supermarket chains )(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Ahold USA will further integrate the back offices of four of its six supermarket chains, including Bruno's, Bi-Lo, Tops and Giant Food. The integration will occur in 2003 and partly in 2004.

Spartan Stores. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(sells seven shopping centers in Michigan)
January 10, 2003... Spartan Stores sold seven Michigan shopping centers to a New York-based real estate firm for $46 million in cash. The properties did not contain any retail grocery stores operated by Spartan Stores.... Elder-Beerman will shutter its department...

Elder-Beerman. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(to close store in Forest Fair Mall in Cincinnati by May 2003)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Elder-Beerman will shutter its department store in Cincinnati's Forest Fair Mall by May 2003, when the lease expires.

Donahue Schriber co-founder dies. (People in the News).(Daniel Donahue, co-founder of real estate firm, dies)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Retail real-estate executive Daniel Donahue died Dec. 31. He was 60. Donahue was a co-founder of private real estate firm Donahue Schriber. Founded 33 years ago, the company's portfolio includes 68 shopping centers with more than 14 million sq....

Six Gottschalks set for closure. (People in the News).(the six outlets are located in Washington and Oregon)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... Gottschalks will shutter six stores, all former Lamonts locations, in Washington and Oregon by the end of March. Four of the stores are in the Seattle area. The others are in Wenatchee, Wash., and Corvallis, Ore.

Auchan. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(to close last two U.S. stores, both in Houston)(Brief Article)
January 10, 2003... French hypermarket chain Auchan will close its last two stores in the United States, both of which are located in Houston.

New stores new markets.(multiple records)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Macy's will open a store at Simi Valley (Calif.) Town Center some time in 2005. Construction on the 110,00-sq.-ft., two-level store is expected to begin next year. Elsewhere, Macy's will open at Westfield Shoppingtown Wheaton (Md.), a suburb of...

Round two for Kmart closings, more stores, but lower expenses.(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... For the second time in nine months, Kmart is embarking on a store-closing spree to help it emerge from bankruptcy protection by April 30. Interestingly, Kmart will put the locks on more locations this time than during its first round of store...

Macy's/Rich's merging in metro Atlanta.(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Federated Department Stores has big plans, and aspirations, for its stores in the Atlanta metro area. The retailer will begin integrating its Rich's and Macy's stores there starting next month. A total of 28 stores will begin rebranding...

Ahoy! West Marine acquires BoatU.S.(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... West Marine is spending $72 million in cash to acquire the retail stores, catalog sales and wholesale operations of Boat Owners Association of the United States, which operates under the BoatU.S. banner. The deal is expected to add roughly $140...

Bath & Body Works. (People in the News).(Ken Stevens to take over for Beth Pritchard as president and CEO)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Beth Pritchard, president and CEO of Bath & Body Works, is stepping down from her roles. Ken Stevens, executive VP and COO of the chain, will assume responsibility for the business.

May Department Stores' Design and Construction Co. (People in the News).(Don Foster to take over for Thomas Rauch as chairman)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Thomas Rauch, chairman of May Department Stores' Design and Construction Co., will retire on April 30. He will be succeeded by Don Foster, who was named vice chairman of that division.

Dillon Stores. (People in the News).(John Bays becomes president)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Kroger named John Bays president of its Dillon Stores subsidiary.

Footstar. (People in the News).(Stephen Wilson to take over as senior VP for Thomas Baumlin)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Thomas Baumlin will step down from his duties as senior VP of finance of Footstar, effective Jan. 31. Stephen Wilson, Footstar's executive VP/CFO, will take over Baumlin's duties.

Family Dollar. (People in the News).(founder and chairman Leon Levine retires)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Family Dollar founder and chairman Leon Levine has retired. He will hold the title of chairman emeritus. Howard Levine, the retailer's CEO, was elected chairman. Taking over as president will be R. David Alexander, executive VP/COO.

TV network ratings soar for Wal-Mart.(Wal-Mart Television Network gets high marks)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... It may not be "Joe Millionaire," but the Wal-Mart Television Network has received favorable reviews from its own audience: its customers. A media survey conducted by Nielsen Media Research last September discovered a 104% increase in Wal-Mart...

Difficulties ahead for c-store industry.(convenience stores )(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Convenience-store operators should do more to improve the interior of their stores to boost sales. Store remodelings, service additions, a focus on fresh foods and upscale coffee offerings are just some of the suggestions they should undertake...

Toy story: FAO files for bankruptcy.(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Maybe it wasn't such a good idea for The Right Start to acquire FAO Schwarz just two months after it completed its acquisition of Zany Brainy, which had just emerged from bankruptcy at the time. Specialty toy retailer FAO, Inc. filed for...

J.C. Penney cuts back catalog division.(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... The axe has fallen at J.C. Penney's catalog operations, where it will cut 2,000 jobs. The retailer also will eliminate its catalog center and telemarketing center in Atlanta and another telemarketing office in Lenexa, Kan. The company will take...

Delhaize America. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(to close stores)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Delhaize America will shutter 41 Food Lion stores and one Kash n' Karry location this month.

Jones Apparel Group. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(to renovate shoe stores, close Mexican plants)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Jones Apparel Group will renovate 20 of its 47 Enzo Angiolini retail shoe stores to its Bandolino format. It also will close its Sun Apparel manufacturing facilities in Torreon, Mexico, as well as its warehousing and administrative facilities...

Value City. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(restructuring)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Value City is changing its corporate structure to a holding company with one service organization and three retail operating entities: Value City Department Stores, Filene's Basement and Shonac/DSW Shoe Warehouse.

Gabriel Bros., Inc. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(to open 24 Rugged Wearhouse stores in 2003)(Brief Article)
January 17, 2003... Gabriel Bros., Inc. will open 24 Rugged Wearhouse stores and three to four name-brand stores in 2003. The retailer hopes to end the year with roughly 102 stores in operation.

New stores new markets.(retail store openings)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... Pier 1 Imports will set up shop in Edmond, Okla., later this year. 99 Cents Only Stores opened this week in Sacramento and Venice, Calif. The Home Depot opens in the Southridge Centre in Charleston, S.C., on Feb. 13. A Wal-Mart...

What's next for Kmart/Fleming? Wholesaler looks for new deal.(Kmart store closings costs Fleming approximately $400 million in sales)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... The first round of Kmart store closings cost Fleming, the discount chain's sole wholesaler, roughly $400 million in sales, about 2.5% of its total revenues. With a second wave of closings now taking place--an even greater number this time--it...

New CEO: Kmart sees the light of 'Day'.(Julian Day replaces James Adamson as CEO of Kmart)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... Confident that he has put Kmart on the road to recovery, James Adamson has stepped down as chief executive of the discount chain. Next up: Julian Day, who has been serving as president and COO of Kmart since last March when Adamson recruited...

Sales increase in latest weekly tally.(retail comparable-store sales)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... A brush of cold weather last week helped usher consumers into retail stores and drive a moderate sales gain across the country. Retail comparable-store sales increased 0.3% for the week ending Jan. 18, according to the Bank of...

Gap, Inc. (People in the News).(Byron Pollitt appointed executive VP, CFO)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... Byron Pollitt was appointed executive VP, CFO of Gap, Inc., replacing Heidi Kunz, who had resigned. Pollitt most recently served as executive VP, CFO of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, where he had served with Paul Pressler, Gap's CEO.

May Department Stores. (People in the News).(elected Joyce Roche to its board of directors)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... May Department Stores elected its CEO and president Joyce Roche to its board of directors.

Toys "R" Us. (People in the News).(Greg Staley resigned as president)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... Greg Staley has resigned as president of Toys "R" Us. He had been with the specialty retailer since 1989. A search is under way for his successor.

Jo-Ann Stores. (People in the News).(promoted Chad Buscho to vice president of store operations and support)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... Jo-Ann Stores promoted Chad Buscho to VP of store operations and support. The chain also appointed former Wal-Mart executive Becky Jones as its new VP, general merchandise manager.

Winn-Dixie. (People in the News).(elected Edward Mehrer to its board of directors)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... Winn-Dixie elected Edward Mehrer to its board of directors. He will serve on the audit and compensation committees.

Gadzooks. (People in the News).(Nancy Golub appointed divisional merchandise manager of accessories)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... Gadzooks named Nancy Golub divisional merchandise manager of accessories.

Tiffany & Co. (People in the News).(William Chaney to resign as chairman)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... William Chaney will step down as chairman of Tiffany & Co. on Jan. 31. He will continue to serve as a director. Michael Kowalski, Tiffany's CEO, will assume the post of chairman. Lastly vice chairman James Quinn was named president.

O'Malia Food buys two Mr. D's stores.(Mr. D's Fresh Food Markets)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... O'Malia Food Markets, a unit of Marsh Supermarkets, is buying two Mr. D's Fresh Food Markets in Indianapolis. The stores will convert to the O'Malia banner, according to Marsh. Marsh purchased O'Malia Food Markets in 2001.

Analyst predicts more bankruptcies.(economist Frank Badillo)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... The year 2003 is destined to be weak, it's just a matter of how weak. That's one economist's forecast. Speaking during a teleconference this week, Frank Badillo, an economist with consulting firm Retail Forward, said that consumers are moving...

Wal-Mart opens triple-decker store.(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... Wal-Mart's urban push got a boost this week when it opened its first-ever three-level store in Los Angeles in a former Macy's location at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. The store is located in an area with a large base of African-American and...

Grocery-store sales on the decline.(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... Supermarkets posted the largest decline in sales last December since March of 1998, dropping 1.5%. The news comes from a report issued by The Food Institute. As a result of December's decline, "deflated" grocery-store sales decreased for the...

Kroger hopes to be a Tennessee titan.(to spend $120 million to open new stores and expand and/or remodel its locations in central Tennessee)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... Kroger will spend $120 million to open new stores and expand and/or remodel its existing locations in central Tennessee. The retailer has allocated about 40% of those funds to build or acquire supermarkets, with the remaining 60% set aside for...

The Home Depot. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(will increase its capital expenditures in 2003)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... The Home Depot will increase its capital expenditures by 21% to $4 billion in 2003.

Crate & Barrel. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(to build a distribution center in Cranbury, N.J.)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... Crate & Barrel will build a distribution center in Cranbury, N.J.

GapMaternity. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(being sold by Gap in 12 babyGap stores)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... Gap is now selling its GapMaternity line of clothing, which was previously sold exclusively on line, in 12 babyGap stores in eight states.

Barnes & Noble. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(finalized acquisition of Sterling Publishing)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... Barnes & Noble finalized its acquisition of Sterling Publishing.

Walgreens. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(will lay off 180 employees)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... Walgreens will lay off 180 employees, roughly 30% of its work force, at its Orlando, Fla., distribution center by the end of March.

Hecht. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(to expand and renovate location in Charlotte, N.C.)(Brief Article)
January 24, 2003... Hecht's will expand and renovate its location at SouthPark Mall in Charlotte, N.C.