DSN Retailing Today articles from December 2005

DSN Retailing Today archives from December 2005

Meijer president Zigerelli quits; management refutes Tesco rumors.
December 19, 2005... GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. -- In the aftermath of Larry Zigerelli's surprise resignation from Meijer, the supercenter operator is reiterating that it is not involved in any deal with British retailer Tesco. News of Zigerelli's departure began...

Sears fills up year-end agenda with staffing, earnings, Canada bid.
December 19, 2005... HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILL. -- Earnings, management changes, new merchandising initiatives, the consolidation of corporate functions, a bid for Canadian operations and a scathing letter to critics--that's just one week of activity for Sears...

HEB plus! is at it again--turning heads with new gm line.
December 19, 2005... ROUND ROCK, TEXAS -- Texas-based food retailer HEB, intent on grabbing more than just consumers' grocery dollars, opened its sixth and largest Plus! store last month in Round Rock, Texas, unveiling new general merchandise categories paired...

Fortunoff offers taste of Italy.(MARKET WATCH)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2005... WESTBURY, N.Y. -- Fortunoff, the New York department store chain, tried something new for the holidays: Italian night. Held on conesquetive Thursdays in December in its White Plains, Westbury and Manhattan stores, the promotion included...

Wired tests temp store in New York City.(MARKET WATCH)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2005... NEW YORK -- Wired magazine "popped up" in SoHo this month with the latest addition to New York's temporary store scene. The location features gadgets and games handpicked by the publication's editors, offering the latest in technology and...

Fashion merchants turn to celebs and say, 'you're hired'.
December 19, 2005... NEW YORK -- What does billionaire businessman Donald Trump have in common with pop star Justin Timberlake? Both celebrities have recently teamed up exclusively with major department store retailers to launch their own branded apparel lines....

Casual corner group to close stores by early '06.
December 19, 2005... ENFIELD. CONN. -- Sound the death knell for another retailer: Casual Corner Group announced last month that it will close all of its 525 stores in 42 states and in Puerto Rico. Casual Comer Group, which includes Casual Corner, Casual...

At 40% larger, new Costco prototype redefines big.(Brief Article)
December 19, 2005... HILLSBORO, ORE. -- Costco made one of its final store openings of 2005 one for the record books. The massive 205,000-square-foot store, its largest in the country, opened in the Oregon city of Hillsboro, near Portland, on Nov. 18, and will be...

PLMA conference showcases non-food, private label brands.(Private Label Manufacturers Association)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2005... CHICAGO -- Value, diversity and expansion into new product categories sums up this year's Private Label Manufacturers Association's annual conference and trade show held in Chicago last month. While food suppliers were on display in abundance...

Dollar general market to grow 70 in 2006.
December 19, 2005... GOODLETTSVILLE, TENN. -- At 40 stores, Dollar General's larger-format Market concept with expanded grocery offerings still represents less than 1% of the retailer's more than 7,800 U.S. stores. Yet, a broader expansion of this new growth...

Dick's shops Sears ranks and lands a softlines vet.
December 19, 2005... PITTSBURGH -- The hiring of a new head merchant with extensive softlines experience at Dick's Sporting Goods signals an increased emphasis on footwear and apparel categories at a chain traditionally focused on hardlines. Dick's is a...

Holiday's second half puts bigger emphasis on gift cards.(Industry Overview)
December 19, 2005... DSNRT NATIONWIDE REPORT -- Surging demand for gift cards in the final few days before Christmas was expected to propel gift card sales to record levels this year and in doing so continue to alter the dynamics of retail operations during and...

NY & CO. launches flagship In Manhattan.(MARKET WATCH)(New York & Co)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2005... NEW YORK -- New York & Co. hosted a party to celebrate its new flagship and third location on Lexington Ave. on Dec. 6. The two level, 8,000-square-foot retail space, which officially opened on Black Friday, displayed festive metallic holiday...

HBC rejects share offer from Maple Leaf.(MARKET WATCH)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2005... TORONTO -- Hudson's Bay Co.'s board has characterized a share offer from Maple Leaf Heritage Investments as inadequate, citing overlooked value from the company's restructuring efforts. Robert Johnston, Maple Leaf vp of strategy, told DSN...

LNT to vote on proposal to sell company.(MARKET WATCH)(Linens 'N Things' )(Brief Article)
December 19, 2005... CLIFTON, N.J. -- Linens 'N Things' board of directors has called a shareholders meeting to vote on a proposal to sell the company to a group including NRDC Real Estate Advisors I, Silver Point Capital Fund Investment and affiliates of Apollo...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
December 19, 2005... In the Nov. 21 issue of DSN Retailing Today the Jast name of the ceo of Steve & Barry's stores was misspelled. The correct spelling of the executives full name is Barry Prevor.

Winn-Dixie ready to emerge from CH. 11.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2005... JACKSONVILLE, FLA. -- Supermarket chain Winn-Dixie announced on Dec. 8 that it plans to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection by June of next year. The supermarket chain also said same-store sales rose 2.9% in the first quarter ended...

Kroger sees largest same-store sales jump.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2005... CINCINNATI -- Kroger reported same-store sales up 3.7% without fuel, marking the company's ninth consecutive quarter of positive identical supermarket sales, excluding fuel. Same-store sales including fuel were up 6.6%. David Dillon, Kroger...

Top gainers: for 2 weeks ended 12/7/05.(FINANCIALS)(retail stores' stock prices)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
December 19, 2005... TOP GAINERS For 2 weeks ended 12/7/05 Gander Mountain 25.95% Dress Barn 21.16 Blockbuster 20.22 Apple Computer 10.19 Bon-Ton Stores ...

Top losers: for 2 weeks ended 12/7/05.(FINANCIALS)(retail stores' stock prices)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
December 19, 2005... TOP LOSERS For 2 weeks ended 12/7/05 Tweeter Home Entertainment (19.32%) Hancock Fabrics (18.53) Cost Plus (10.60) Pacific Sunwear (9.91) Jo-Ann Stores (8.60)

Major indices.(FINANCIALS)(stock price indexes)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2005... MAJOR INDICES Close Close Net _ 11/23/05 12/7/05 Change Change S&P 500 (GSPC) 1261.23 1257.37 (3.86) (0.31%) Dow Jones Industrial Average...

Insider trades.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2005... STOCKS BOUGHT WAL-MART: Douglas Daft, director, bought 2,000 shares on Dec. 1 at $48.59, now owns 10,798 shares. GANDER MOUNTAIN: Gerald Erickson, director, bought 10,000 shares on Nov. 29 at $5.93, now owns 29,334 shares. ...

Wal-Mart express brings basic needs to hurricane zone.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)
December 19, 2005... WAVELAND, MISS. -- It is the things that are taken for granted that suddenly matter most when people talk about getting back to normal after their lives have been disrupted by a natural disaster. Reliable electricity, phone service, safety,...

Kohler stand-alone targets Luxe Home Renovator.(new retail outlet)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2005... Kohler opened its first retail outlet in the Luxe Home showcase within the Chicago Merchandise Mart last month in a shared space with subsidiary Ann Sacks. The location is the first of what the company hopes will be several more units, as it...

Online poll: Black Friday pricing: based on responses collected from Nov. 11 through Dec. 8.
December 19, 2005... Perhaps the single most important shopping day of the year has come and gone for many retailers. And to be sure, Black Friday is serious business if you're looking to boost sales and move excess inventory--or both. The issue of setting prices...

Impressed by Costco? Join the club.(Costco Wholesale Corp.)(Editorial)
December 19, 2005... After a year in which big-box retailing was dragged through the mud by the consumer press with headline after headline proclaiming poor wages, poor benefits and poor working conditions, it's no wonder a company like Costco Wholesale was...

Retail greatness defined by more than low price.(holiday shopping )(Editorial)
December 19, 2005... Retailers' efforts to reach consumers hits a frenzied pitch around this time of year. In an incredibly overstored marketplace full of retailers selling a lot of the same products it's nearly impossible to stand out. Holiday 2005 in...

Why I'm fighting for Wal-Mart.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Column)
December 19, 2005... We are living in the Golden Age of retail choice in America. Year after year, retail competition and innovation is creating tremendous benefits for real people, folks with kids and mortgages and retirement plans. The irony, as you well...

All bulked up: as consumers keep the club craze going, market-share prospects go through the roof.(Costco Wholesale Corp.)
December 19, 2005... For Costco, 2005 may go down as the year it became the No. 2 general merchandise retailer in the nation. The 471-store chain ended its fiscal year on Aug. 29 with a whopping $51.86 billion in sales, a total that perennial No. 2 retailer...

A model business: long-term vision benefits customers, employees.(WHAT MAKES Costco WHOLESALE TICK: PART I)
December 19, 2005... There is a metaphor in business that likens publicly traded companies to a three-legged stool. Just as the legs of a stool must be the same length to provide a solid foundation, successful companies must strike a balance between the interests...

Ramping up real estate: taking zoning issues, property costs head on.(WHAT MAKES Costco WHOLESALE TICK: PART I)
December 19, 2005... Given the size of Costco's box and the traffic its clubs generate, growth has been something that it has had to approach with caution. And now more than ever, the retailer brings considerable diligence to the store-growth process. Costco...

Envy of its peers: Costco: retailer of the year.(WHAT MAKES Costco WHOLESALE TICK: PART I)
December 19, 2005... For years, Costco has clung closely to its warehouse roots--at times shunning any comparison to its "retailer" cousins. Even as the mass consumer has embraced the club channel, the company has reluctantly warmed to the retailer label. These...

Culture of inclusion: where top executives lead by example and honesty and frugality are valued virtues.(WHAT MAKES Costco WHOLESALE TICK: PART II)
December 19, 2005... Since it opened its first store more than 20 years ago, Costco has fostered a culture of inclusion in which employees are paid well, treated ,,veil and expected to work hard. It's long been considered a model employer in the retail world for...

The Sinegal factor: thriving with a hands-on approach.(WHAT MAKES Costco WHOLESALE TICK: PART II)
December 19, 2005... In discussions about Costco's management, the term "hands on" usually comes up. Often exemplified by the company's president and ceo, Jim Sinegal, who continues to attend just about every store opening and visits every club twice a year, it...

Betting on benefits: generosity strategy pays off.(WHAT MAKES Costco WHOLESALE TICK: PART II)
December 19, 2005... Wall Street analysts tend to be bullish about Costco, but a sticking point with some is its tendency to give employees salaries and benefits far more generous than its competitors. They note that many Costco cashiers who've been with the...

Don't mess with success: a $50 billion formula built on word-of-mouth marketing and trust.(WHAT MAKES Costco WHOLESALE TICK: PART III)(Company Profile)
December 19, 2005... When Costco co-founders Jeffrey Brotman and Jim Sinegal teamed up to open the first Costco Warehouse Club in Seattle in 1983, they had definite ideas on what they wanted to do. They envisioned a hybrid that combined elements of the...

The ultimate 'item merchant'.(WHAT MAKES Costco WHOLESALE TICK: PART III)
December 19, 2005... Costco is a deceptive merchandiser. Not deceptive in tile devious sense, but in the sense that it sells members stuff they never expected to buy--and that's quite an accomplishment today given consumer consciousness about all the ways that...

Hunting for treasures.(WHAT MAKES Costco WHOLESALE TICK: PART III)
December 19, 2005... When Costco members make a trip to a warehouse, they can be sure to find the 12-roll pack of paper towels or the 48-pound bag of clog food they have on their list. That's because about 75% of Costco's inventory is staple products that can be...

Softener's solution to "hard times".(Category Update: Liquid Fabric Softeners)(Advertisement)
December 19, 2005... When Downy[R] led the introduction of concentrated liquid fabric softeners in 1991, it represented the only product innovation to substantially grow category volume during the decade. After its introduction, the liquid fabric softener...

Innovation has its own reward.(WHAT MAKES Costco WHOLESALE TICK: PART III)
December 19, 2005... Continual improvement is more than an empty slogan at Costco; it really is the foundation of its product development and merchandising efforts. If that means sometimes swimming upstream for the company and its vendors, then the journey could...

Getting a foot in the door.(WHAT MAKES Costco WHOLESALE TICK: PART III)
December 19, 2005... Getting product into Costco is a bit like running the gauntlet. Getting in the door may require trying out new store openings, developing programs for road shows and working out new packaging ideas--and that's even before a new vendor is...

Side business is big business.(WHAT MAKES Costco WHOLESALE TICK: PART III)(Company Profile)
December 19, 2005... Since opening its first store in 1983, Costco has stayed true to its roots as a warehouse club retailer of food and general merchandise. But over the years, Costco has added a half-dozen ancillary businesses that generated about $7 billion...

Worldwide warehouse.(WHAT MAKES Costco WHOLESALE TICK: PART III)
December 19, 2005... Costco has the strongest international presence of any warehouse club chain operating in the United States and continues to look for opportunities to expand overseas. While it hasn't moved into a new nation in some time. Costco has been...

Where merchandising and value are one.(WHAT MAKES Costco WHOLESALE TICK: PART III)
December 19, 2005... Spend a day perusing the aisles of a Costco Wholesale membership club and you'll undoubtedly notice several things: The presentation is no-frills, the selection by category is extremely limited and the price-per-unit of just about everything...

The new face of fresh supplier: synergies keep quality high, costs low.(WHAT MAKES Costco WHOLESALE TICK: PART III)
December 19, 2005... While bulk comes to mind when people think of Costco's food assortment, the company's effort to update and improve its offerings is critical to its success. While supermarkets keep shooting out "new and improved" products that frequently...

Forging a pharmacy presence: in-store strategies gain momentum.(Costco Wholesale Corp.)
December 19, 2005... Wielding its potent rock-bottom price strategy and a growing list of health-related services for its 43 million members, Costco has emerged as one of the nation's top pharmacy outlets. In fiscal 2005, the 345-unit warehouse club operator...

Health screenings build loyalty.(WHAT MAKES Costco WHOLESALE TICK: PART III)
December 19, 2005... Costco's booming pharmacy business may owe most of its success to the fact that its drug prices are low, yet one highly effective tool in its arsenal for growing this segment involves an expanding program of free and low-cost health...

Making the club a thing of beauty.(WHAT MAKES Costco WHOLESALE TICK: PART III)(Costco Companies Inc.)
December 19, 2005... Costco's no-frills, self-service warehouse facilities that offer members a limited selection of nationally branded and selected private-label products may not be glamorous, but that hasn't prevented the retailer from staking its claim with...

Vitamins drive OTC sales.(WHAT MAKES Costco WHOLESALE TICK: PART III)(over-the-counter sales)
December 19, 2005... Costco's focus on growing its pharmacy-related businesses the past few years has netted the chain some $1.2 billion in over-the-counter sales for its fiscal 2005 ended Aug. 28. And though Costco does a healthy business in seasonal medicines...

Wine business is biggest in U.S.(WHAT MAKES Costco WHOLESALE TICK: PART III)
December 19, 2005... Costco has grown on the grape since its start on the West Coast, building its business by becoming a key source for wine, beer and liquor for small businesses and consumers. Indeed, only a few years after its inception, Costco was the largest...

Reading the avid book buyer.(WHAT MAKES Costco WHOLESALE TICK: PART III)
December 19, 2005... Selling a variety of entertainment media undoubtedly is one of Costco's specialties. with book titles in particular skewed slightly more upscale suited to the tastes of the discriminating, affluent consumer or business member. Even with...

The lure of in-store freebies.(WHAT MAKES Costco WHOLESALE TICK: PART III)
December 19, 2005... The warehouse club shopping experience can be pretty mundane given the difficulty associated with creating a compelling merchandise presentation in an environment where strict expense controls dictate the use of pallet displays, warehouse...

A private label success story.(WHAT MAKES Costco WHOLESALE TICK: PART III)
December 19, 2005... Private label has been a tough go for many retailers in the United States, but Costco has turned Kirkland Signature into one of the most successful own-brands in the country. Target may come out with a new private label every week and IKEA...

Proof of club popularity is in the 64-ounce pudding.(NATIONWIDE DSNRT REPORT)
December 19, 2005... For the typical club customer, the numbers are pretty basic. They shop about once a month, their market basket is among the best in retail and they're drawn in by the large quantities and low prices. But the intrigue of bulk buying is only...

Editorial.(Brief Article)(Editorial)
December 19, 2005... The last thing a retailer wants to hear customers mutter as they leave a store is the phrase, "I'm never shopping there again." This vow of abstinence is typically the result of a retailer's own actions, and looking back at how Black...

Testing in-store check-ups before you check out.(HEALTH CARE UPDATE)
December 19, 2005... It won't be everyone's idea of health care, but for millions of Americans who lack insurance and regularly shop at Wal-Mart, the opening of health care clinics inside stores promises to be a major improvement over the health care they...

Golden Garth.(WHAT'S IN STORE)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2005... There was a time when it was a big deal when a recording artist's album achieved "gold" status. Doing so meant the album sold 500,000 copies. That's still a significant accomplishment for most artists which is why Wal-Mart's experience with...

Personalization lends flare to gift cards.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2005... Wal-Mart's aggressive approach this holiday season involved more than low prices, increased advertising and upgraded assortments. Gift cards were a high priority too as Wal-Mart looked to satisfy the increasing number of shoppers who resort...

New standards ensure crustaceans not so fishy.(shrimps to be tested)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2005... Suppliers of shrimp to Wal-Mart will have to ensure their shell fish are raised and harvested in a way that is environmentally sustainable thanks to new Best Aquaculture Practices adopted by the retailer. "With this new certification,...

'06 can only get better.(speculations on Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Editorial)
December 19, 2005... A couple of methods can be used to develop a forecast regarding Wal-Mart's outlook for 2006. There's the scientific approach: Make assumptions about economic factors such as fuel prices, interest rates, consumer sentiment, same-store sales,...

Supplier development serves customers worldwide.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Column)
December 19, 2005... The customer is always No. 1. It's how we end every Wal-Mart cheer and it's the driving force behind our business. This commitment to customers begins with collaboration and the collective work of suppliers who provide invaluable energy,...

Shaping up: Wal-Mart begins the New Year with a restructured executive team pursuing new strategies in merchandising, marketing and operations.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)
December 19, 2005... The New Year is almost here, and when it arrives millions of Americans will resolve to get in shape by eating right and exercising. Wal-Mart plans to get in shape, too. But its regimen seeks to balance a heightened sense of corporate...

Themed events prove popular in-store actions clear path through clutter.(product demonstrations in Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)
December 19, 2005... While product demonstrations are great for generating trial and awareness, a new in-store marketing approach that focuses on multifaceted retailtainment events offers marketers a more comprehensive solution to brand building. Despite all...

Suppliers' new item process simplified.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s online service)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2005... An online product introduction process for suppliers new to Wal-Mart is intended to remove barriers that previously existed and expose Wal-Mart buyers to a potentially larger number of new items. The new procedure requires suppliers to...

JDA opens training facility in Bentonville.(JDA Software Group Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2005... When it comes to how products are displayed on Wal-Mart shelves, how inventories are managed and how stores are replenished, there is a good chance JDA Software Group had something to do with it. The company's space planning, product...

Scholarship named for retiring Connolly.(Bob Connolly retires from Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2005... Soon to be retired Wal-Mart evp Bob Connolly will leave his mark on a new generation of retailers thanks to a newly created scholarship fund bearing his name at the Sam M. Walton College of Business. Connolly gave generously of his time...

New fund to aid women, minority suppliers.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc. donates $25 million)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2005... Women- and minority-owned suppliers that lack the capital to realize their expansion plans will have access to a new source of funds in 2006 thanks to a recently created private equity fund launched by Wal-Mart with a $25 million donation....

Crafting the message when change is at hand: Randy Leake, director of sales, RoseArt, on the effect That change can have on a supplier's communications.(Interview)
December 19, 2005... Founded in 1923, RoseArt Industries is a leading supplier of branded and licensed products across a broad range of categories that include arts and crafts, stationery and toys. RoseArt is based in Livingston, N.J., and was acquired in June...

NWA directory.(Directory)
December 19, 2005... ADVERTISING AGENCIES, DIRECTORIES, SPECIALTIES, ETC. ATTENTION TO DETAIL MARKETING & CONSULTING 12707 Pleasure Heights Rd, Lowell. AR 72745 [tel] 479-750-8685 [contact] Joe Massey, owner [e-mail] joe@atdmarketing.com [website]...

People & events.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
December 19, 2005... JANUARY January 15-18 National Retail Federation Annual Convention and EXPO, New York Visit www.nrf.com for more information. January 22-24 Retail Industry Leaders Association's Leadership Forum, Naples, Fla. Contact Jenny Keehan at...