Chain Store Age Executive Fax articles from October 2002

Chain Store Age Executive Fax archives from October 2002

New stores, new markets.(includes information on various new store openings )(Brief Article)
October 25, 2002... Bloomingdale's will open its second store in New York City by next fall. The. six-floor department store will occupy 124,000 sq. ft. of space in the former Canal Jeans building on Broadway between Spring Street and Broome Street.... A...

Warehouse clubs expected to decelerate their growth by 2006.(Brief Article)
October 25, 2002... After growing at an average annual rate of 10.5% over the past five years, warehouse chains are expected to grow at an average rate of just 7.6% a year through 2006. The reason for the decline is based on two key challenges: market saturation...

An unpleasant retail report card.(retail trade feeling effects of economic downturn)(Brief Article)
October 25, 2002... The one-two punch of a poor economy and consumer worry is punishing retailers, according to Standard & Poor's There is less urgency for customers to spend, thanks to lowered disposable incomes, which are a product of the stock-market...

Fleming reports loss in 3Q, sales rise.(Brief Article)
October 25, 2002... Fleming reported a loss of $20.9 million in the third quarter, compared with earnings of $16.5 million in the prior-year period. This year's results include a $7 million charge related to staff reductions and a $9.8 million charge to close...

The Home Depot. (People in the News).(appoints John Costello chief marketing officer)(Brief Article)
October 25, 2002... The Home Depot named John Costello as its chief marketing officer. He joins the home center giant from Yahoo, where he served as global marketing officer.

Penn Traffic. (People in the News).(appoints Mike Broomfield senior vice president of retail stores)(Brief Article)
October 25, 2002... Mike Broomfield was named senior VP of retail stores of Penn Traffic. He is a former COO of Giant Foods.

Gadzooks. (People in the News).(hires Mark Baker as director of audit services)(Brief Article)
October 25, 2002... Gadzooks formed an internal audit function and hired Mark Baker as director of audit services. He's a certified internal auditor and has also served with Pier 1 Imports and Bombay.

Gordon Bros. Group. (People in the News).(appoints Mark Schwartz president)(Brief Article)
October 25, 2002... Mark Schwartz was named president of real estate firm Gordon Bros. Group.

Food Lion roars with round store.(to build stores featuring round-format layout design)(Brief Article)
October 25, 2002... Supermarket retailer Food Lion says it will build up to 20 new stores that feature a round-format layout design and remodel 20 additional stores that will incorporate aspects of the design. The grocer opened its first round store over a year...

Weekly sales rise in latest week.(according to survey from Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi and UBS Warburg)(Brief Article)
October 25, 2002... Retail comparable-store sales rose 0.6% for the week ended Oct. 19, compared with the previous week. The news comes from a survey conducted by the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi and UBS Warburg. Apparel sales seemed to pick up in the latest week,...

Bebe receives injunction vs. May's 'be'.(trademark infringement case between bebe stores, May Department Stores)(Brief Article)
October 25, 2002... Shakespeare would be rolling in his grave if he knew what was going on between. May Department Stores and women's apparel chain bebe stores. A federal judge ruled this week that May's latest private-label brand, which it calls "be," was too...

Kmart posts September loss, aids moms.(to distribute health information kit to Latina mothers)(Brief Article)
October 25, 2002... Kmart reported a loss of $176 million for the month of September. Same-store sales were down 6.9% for that month. In addition, chairman and chief executive James Adamson says the retailer will file a proposed reorganization plan with the...

Publix accepting coupons over web.(Brief Article)
October 25, 2002... After a six-week trial period, Publix said this week it will accept manufacturer's coupons for all delivery orders placed on its e-commerce site, according to an article on the Web site of The Miami Herald. The grocer began testing the...

Spartan Stores. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(separates retail, distribution management teams)(Brief Article)
October 25, 2002... Spartan Stores separated its retail and distribution management teams and has eliminated the advertising budget of its distribution marketing program.

Ticketmaster. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(will open units in Fred Meyer stores in Washington, Idaho )(Brief Article)
October 25, 2002... Fred Meyer will install Ticketmaster locations within 45 of its stores in Washington and Idaho. The grocer already operates ticket centers within 24 stores in Washington, Utah and Oregon.

Borders. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(develops video game retail service )(Brief Article)
October 25, 2002... Borders is testing the waters of video-game retailing at a handful of stores and also plans to open locations in select airports, specifically in Orlando, Fla.; Newark, N.J.; and Los Angeles.

Target will sell Tupperware products in all of its 1,148 name-brand stores. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(Brief Article)
October 25, 2002... Target will sell Tupperware products in all of its 1,148 name-brand stores. The decision expands a current relationship that began last October in which Tupperware goods were introduced in 62 Target supercenters in 12 states.

Stirling Properties. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(named management and leasing company for Grand Marche Shopping Center)(Brief Article)
October 25, 2002... Stirling Properties was named the management and leasing company for the Grand Marche Shopping Center, in Lafayette, La.

New stores, new markets.(Eleven retail chains, new store openings)
October 18, 2002... 99 Cents a Only Stores has opened in Long Beach and Merced, Calif. Barnes & Noble plans to open at Merced Marketplace next August. Hampton Mall will introduce Dollar Expo and Decor Furniture as tenants in rind-November. Icecream...

Target embraces cafe mentality expands Starbucks on the inside.
October 18, 2002... Target is turning to designer-brand coffee for a jolt of growth. Target and Starbucks have inked a deal to set up more coffee shops inside the stylish discount centers. Beginning in 2004, most new Target stores will feature a Starbucks. The...

Clark quickly finds funds in chapter 11.(Clark Retail Enterprises)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Clark Retail Enterprises received $15 million of interim debtor-in-possession financing to support its operations after filing for bankruptcy protection last week. The Oak Brook, Ill.-based operator and franchisor of gas stations and c-stores...

Deck the shelves with promotions in '02.(Holiday spending forecasts)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... "We will be seeing a very promotional retail environment for the holiday season," says Tracy Mullin, National Retail Federation president and CEO. In essence, all retailers will be discounters." The NRF 2002 Holiday Consumer Intentions and...

Wal-Mart's blockbuster alternative.(Movie-rental service introduction)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Wal-Mart will battle NetFlix in the on-line movie-rental business. The discount store chain is launching a service this month titled Wal-Mart DVD Rentals at walmart.com. Under terms of its user agreement, consumers will pay a monthly...

What's wrong with teens today?(teen spending habits survey)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Teens are not spending as much as they used to, especially teen boys. A survey on teen spending habits and retail brand perception by U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray analyst Jeff Klinefelter also revealed that the brands with the highest teen...

Amazon & Borders eye pick-up service.(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Officials at Amazon.com and Borders are targeting Nov. 1 opening day a clicks-to-bricks strategy allowing customers to buy merchandise at Amazon.com and pick it up at a Borders store. Speaking at the KioskCom convention in Phoenix. Rob...

Costco Wholesale. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(will open 35 new stores)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Costco Wholesale plans to open 35 new stores in 2003, including four relocations. Costco says it will open 19 of the non-relocations in existing markets and the remaining dozen stores in new markets.

Wal-Mart de Mexico. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(ceases membership in Mexico's National Association of Supermarkets and Department Stores)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Wal-Mart de Mexico pulled out of Mexico's National Association of Supermarkets and Department Stores after the group banned competitive price comparisons in members' marketing campaigns.

Sears. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(New Jersey files lawsuit against company)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... The state of New Jersey has filed a lawsuit against Sears claiming that the chain's auto-repair shops in the state systematically overcharged customers. Sears has 19 auto centers in New Jersey.

Shaw's Supermarkets. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Shaw's Supermarkets, East Bridgewater, Mass., will receive returned-check-management and loss-prevention services from Minneapolis-based Solutran.

Malone's Cost-Plus Supermarkets. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(using biometric system from BioPay)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Dallas-based Malone's Coat-Plus Supermarkets rolled out a biometric system to allow for secure check cashing. Malone's is using the Paycheck Secure application from Herndon, Va.-based BioPay.

Pathmark Stores. (People in the News).(Jim Donald departs to become president, North America of Starbucks)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Jim Donald will leave his post as Pathmark Stores chairman, president and CEO to become president, North America, of Starbucks. Eileen Scott will replace Donald as Pathmark CEO. Frank Vitrano will take over as Pathmark president and chief...

Party City. (People in the News).(Michael Tennebaum appointed vice chairman of board of directors)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Party City appointed Michael Tennenbaum as vice chairman of its board of directors.

Best Buy. (People in the News).(Herschel Herndon appointed vice president of talent relations, chief diversity officer)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Best Buy appointed Herschel Herndon VP of talent relations and chief diversity officer.

The Gap. (People in the News).(Mickey Drexler gives up spot on board of directors)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... The Mickey Drexler era at The Gap is officially over. The lauded former president and CEO of the apparel giant has relinqnished his spot on the board of directors. Drexler's term on the board wasn't set to expire until May 2003.

Patriot Transportation. (People in the News).(CEO John Anderson elected to Winn-Dixie board)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Winn-Dixie elected John Anderson. CEO of Patriot Transportation of Jacksonville, Fla., to the grocery chain's board of directors.

Strategic help on tap for dELiA's.(retains services of Peter J. Solomon Co.)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... dELiA'S, purveyor of fashionable apparel for teen girls, has turned to outside help for strategic planning. The company retained Peter J. Solomon Co. to "explore and evaluate strategic alternatives for the company;" dELiA's said.

Comp sales display up & down pattern.(retail comparable-store sales)(Brief Article)
October 18, 2002... Retail comparable-store sales declined 0.9% for the week ended Oct. 12. compared with the previous week, according to the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi. The slide reverses the 0.8% increase reported the week ended Oct. 5.

Cato. (New Stores, New Markets).(two new Texas stores)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Cato is opening two stores in Texas on Oct. 23. The chain will open at Bear Creek Shopping Center in Houston and at Rigsby Shopping Center in San Antonio.

United States at Beverly Center. (New Stores, New Markets).(Karen Millen opens two stores)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Women's apparel retailer Karen Millen debuted in the United States at Beverly Center in Los Angeles and at Copley Place in Boston.

Younkers. (New Stores, New Markets).(new store in Lansing, MI)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Younkers will open in a former Jacobson's location in Lansing, Mich., in spring 2003.

East Towne Mall in Madison. (New Stores, New Markets).(new Joseph A. Bank stores)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Jos. A. Bank added locations at East Towne Mall in Madison, Wis., and at Walden Galleria Mall in Buffalo, N.Y.

Barnes & Noble. (New Stores, New Markets).(two new stores opening)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Barnes & Noble will open in two weeks at Parkdale Mall in Beaumont, Texas, and at Jordan Landing Shopping Center in West Jordan, Utah.

Burlington Coat Factory. (New Stores, New Markets).(store opening in Philadelphia)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Burlington Coat Factory signed a lease to open in a former J.C. Penney location on Market Street in Philadelphia.

The Sharper Image. (New Stores, New Markets).(two new stores open)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... The Sharper Image recently opened at Dallas Galleria and at Town Center Plaza in Leawood, Kan.

Forever 21. (New Stores, New Markets).(stores open in Milpitas, CA)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Young women's apparel chain Forever 21 and specialty retailer Farberware leased space at Great Mall in Milpitas, Calif.

KB Toys Outlet. (New Stores, New Markets).(new store in Philadelphia, PA)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... KB Toys Outlet just opened in Franklin Mills in Philadelphia.

Electronics Boutique. (New Stores, New Markets).(store in Evanston, IL)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Electronics Boutique leased space in Evanston, Ill., at Church Street Plaza.

Petland. (New Stores, New Markets).(new store in Batavia, Illinois)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Petland will set up shop at Wind Point Center in Batavia, Ill.

Bible Factory Outlet. (New Stores, New Markets).(opens store in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Bible Factory Outlet opened in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., at Tanger Outlet Center, its seventh store in that state.

September sales rise just 1.5%, economy blamed for weakness.(retail industry sales )
October 11, 2002... What was expected to be a fruitful sales gain in September for retailers quickly turned rotten as the economy and warm weather all took their toll on consumer spending. Retail comparable-store sales rose a mere 1.5% in September, according to...

Sears. (People in the News).(executive changes )(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Sears shifted Paul Liska from his position as CFO to take over its credit-card division as executive VP, president of credit and financial products. He replaces kevin, Keleghan in that position. Taking over as CFO of Sears will be Glenn...

Walgreens. (People in the News).(plans executive changes in 2003 )(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Some changes planned at Walgreens next year: chief executive David Bernauer will replace Daniel Jorndt a chairman; Jeffrey Rein will take over as president; and George Riedl will assume the post of senior VP of marketing

Mayor's Jewelers. (People in the News).(two appointments )(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Mayor's Jewelers named Thomas Andruskevich chief executive and president, and Joseph Keifer senior VP and COO.

Talbots debuts its catalog for men. (People in the News).(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Talbots began shipping out its men's clothing catalog this week. The catalog will be followed by a more comprehensive product line next spring, when it begins opening Talbots Mens stores. The initial catalog is being mailed to 750,000...

Edens & Avant buys Virginia center. (People in the News).(purchases Cascades Marketplace )(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Edens & Avant acquired Cascades Marketplace, a 313,625-sq.-ft. shopping center in Loudon County, Va. The center features Giant Food, Marshalls, Staples, The Sports Authority and Linens'n Things.

Circuit City stores get a Sharper Image.(companies form partnership)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... An interesting partnership has blossomed between two of the top consumer-electronics retailers. Circuit City will dedicate floor space within its 607 superstores to feature roughly 20 proprietary Sharper Image Design products and other...

One Price Clothing. (New Concepts: One Price, Bible Factory).(tests new format in four areas )(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... One Price Clothing is testing a new format it calls Tri-Box in four areas. The formatincorporates expanded assortments of children's and plus-sized apparel and combines separate Best Price Kids and BestPrice! Plus stores along with its...

Bible Factory Outlet. (New Concepts: One Price, Bible Factory).(launches Discount Bibles and More concept)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Bible Factory Outlet opened a new freestanding concept called Discount Bibles & More new flagship--is connected to the chain's new corporate office, a 52,000-sq.-ft. facility it acquired in August. Its first non-mall location, Bible Factory...

Home Depot, Wal-Mart drawn to China.(retailers establish offices in China to increase Asian merchandise purchases)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Two of the nation's biggest retailers are opening office in China s a means to buy more Asian merchandise. The Home Depot opened purchasing offices in Shanghai and Shenzhen, both of which are staffed with Chinese associates. The retailer...

BC Sports Collectibles. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(Electronics Boutique sells business to Sports Collectibles Acquisition )(Brief Article)
October 11, 2002... Electronics Boutique sold its BC Sports Collectibles business to Sports Collectibles Acquisition, which is owned by the family of Electronics Boutique charirman James Kim.

Waverly. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(reaches deal to sell Waverly brand )
October 11, 2002... Linens'n Thing's will begin selling goods from Waverly, a home-d,cor lifestyle brand, in its stores later this month.

Safeway. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).(sells three Zagara's stores )
October 11, 2002... Safeway sold three of its Zagara's stores in and around Philadelphia to a team of former Genurdi's employees. The fourth and final Zagara's store is expected to close.

Sam's Club goes back to basics, Wal-Mart details growth plans.
October 4, 2002... Five weeks into his tenure as chief executive and president of Sam's Club, Kevin Turner is making changes that will shift the warehouse chaine's focus back to small businesses ahead of individual consumers. Speaking at an analyst conference...

West Coast port strike affects cargo.
October 4, 2002... The National Retail Federation and the International Mass Retail Association are asking President Bush and his administration to take "whatever steps necessary" to end the standoff between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and...

Sears, Avis Car Rentals join forces.
October 4, 2002... Sears partnered with Avis in a deal that will make it the exclusive car-rental prowler for the department store chain. In addition, all Sears Car Rental locations will be converted to Avis Rent A Car operations. Roughly 45 Avis locations are...

New stores, new markets.
October 4, 2002... Smith & Hawken opens in two weeks in Westfield, N.J., its 47th retail store. Coat Plus World Market debuted in Kansas City, Mo., today. Cato will open in Broken Arrow, Okla., on Oct. 16, in Kenosha Corners Shopping Center. ...

Mars Music files for bankruptcy.
October 4, 2002... Mars Music has reached a decrescendo. The specialty chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week, citing "over-expansion" and "too much leverage" among the reasons. Mars plans to close at least four of its 41 stores in 14...

Three music retailers settle lawsuit.
October 4, 2002... Trans World Entertainment, Tower Records and Musicland Group settled a CD price-fixing lawsuit this week that was filed by the states of New York and Florida two years ago. The three music chains, along with the country's five largest record...

Kramont Realty Trust. (Real Estate News: Kramont, Mills).
October 4, 2002... Kramont Realty Trust is spending $12.5 million in cash and share of beneficial interest to acquire three retail properties and 16 acres of land for development in New Jersey. The purchase includes a 31,500-sq.-ft. ShopRite supermarket and a...

The Mills Corp. (Real Estate News: Kramont, Mills).
October 4, 2002... The Mills Corp. completed its acquisition of Forest Fair Mall in Cincinnati and plans to give it a complete renovation. The 12-year-old, 1.5 million-sq-ft. mall will be renamed Cincinnati Mills and will be refitted with Mills' trademark look,...

Goody's Family Clothing. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).
October 4, 2002... A private equity group is offering to buy Goody's Family Clothing for $6.50 to $7.50 per share in cash, representing a premium of between 37% and 58% over current market prices. If the deal goes through, Goody's says it will be allowed to...

Saks, Inc. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).
October 4, 2002... Saks, Inc. will consolidate its Younkers home office operations in Des Moines, Iowa, into its Carson Pirie Scott headquarters in Milwaukee. The majority of the 50 Younkers stores will continue to operate under their banner. Roughly 300 jobs...

Ukrop's Super Markets. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).
October 4, 2002... Super Valu signed a five-year wholesaling deal with Ukrop's Super Markets.

Bon-Ton. (This Week's Retail News Nuggets).
October 4, 2002... Bon-Ton will close its distribution center near its corporate office in York, Pa., in April 2003

Former chairman of Pier 1 dies at 82.
October 4, 2002... Luther Henderson, the former chairman and president of Pier 1 Imports, died this past weekend from injuries he incurred two weeks earlier in a traffic accident. He was 82. Henderson was the leader of a group of investors that bought Pier 1 in...

Walt Disney Co. (People in the News).
October 4, 2002... Walt Disney Co. named James Rasulo to head up its parks and resorts division. He replaces Paul Pressler, who left last week to take over Mickey Drexler's job at Gap. Rasulo recently served as chairman and chief executive of Disney's Euro...

Bon-Ton. (People in the News).
October 4, 2002... Bon-Ton elected Philip Browne to its bard of directors, effective Sept. 18.

The Dress Barn. (People in the News).
October 4, 2002... The Dress Barn named Vivian Behrens senior VP of marketing. She has been a director of the women's apparel chain since June 2001..

The Wet Seal appointed William Langsdorf as its CFO. (People in the News).
October 4, 2002... The Wet Seal appointed William Langsdorf as its CFO. He is the former CFO of House2Home.

Sales continue downward trend.
October 4, 2002... Retail comparable-store sales declined 0.8% in the week ended Sept. 28, compared with the previous week, according to the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi. The softness led many retailers to lower their September sales results.