DSN Retailing Today articles from February 2002

DSN Retailing Today archives from February 2002

Blockbuster leaps into hardware sales.(company adds Playstation 2 video game consoles to store merchandise)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 25, 2002... DALLAS -- Blockbuster Inc. made a major move into the consumer electronics hardware market earlier this month by adding the Sony Playstation 2 game console to the merchandise mix in 3,000 of its U.S. stores. It is the company's first...

Big-box foes push for more legislation.(legislation proposed in San Francisco to require conditional-use permits from large retailers)(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO -- Large retailers looking to expand their reach are facing a new wave of anti-big-box legislation geared to keep them out of small towns, large cities and, in some cases, entire states. The newest battleground is San Francisco,...

Wal-Mart forges friendship with Supermercados Amigo.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc. acquisition of Supermercados Amigo Inc.)(Statistical Data Included)
February 25, 2002... SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO -- The strategic implications of Wal-Mart's recent acquisition of a leading Puerto Rican supermarket chain go beyond the addition of a mere 35 new stores with annual sales of $500 million. The new stores and the...

Wal-Mart forges friends friendship with Supermercados Amigo: ASDA reaps rewards for international division.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc. enjoys profits, ASDA Group PLC profits)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 25, 2002... LEEDS, ENGLAND -- Wal-Mart's international division produced record-setting sales and profits last year thanks largely to the continued strength of ASDA stores in the United Kingdom and the effectiveness of numerous merchandising changes put...

Kmart restructures operations: New 'Super Centers' division hints of commitment to food.(Kmart Corp. management)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 25, 2002... TROY, MICH. -- As Kmart carefully reviews each of its store's performance measures in preparation for mass closings, the chain is simultaneously making dramatic changes to its field organizational structure, including a reduction in...

Reporter's notebook: Bankruptcy Court.(for Kmart)(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... Heller, Laura CHICAGO -- There were so many lawyers present at the recent Kmart bankruptcy Omnibus hearing that the lawyers themselves were uneasy. With such a huge showing of bodies and briefs, proceedings had to be moved to a larger...

Zellers reorganizes stores, adopts EDLP strategy.(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... AURORA, ONTARIO -- Zellers' intense focus on the Canadian mother--its core customer--has led it to make many merchandising changes in the past several years. While lots of these modifications have been significant, nothing compares to the...

Ames adopts new pricing strategies: Great value, special buys reinforce chain's repositioning.(Ames Department Stores Inc., new services)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 25, 2002... ROCKY HILL, CONN. -- Ames is determined to give its low- and fixed-income customers a more exciting and convenient shopping experience with the addition of a dollar-store style Great Value section and an ongoing expansion of off-price style...

Staples to close 30 even though earnings are up.(to close some stores while opening others)(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... FRAMINGHAM MASS. -- In the highly competitive world of office supplies retailing, where single-digit comps can't always deliver a profit, little comes as a surprise anymore. That's why few in the industry were phased earlier this month when...

Zellers reorganizes stores, adopts EDLP strategy: Other neighborhood market making a name up north.(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... AURORA, ONTARIO -- If Wal-Mart ever wants to bring its Neighborhood Market concept to Canada, it may have a trademark fight on its hands as Zellers already has registered the name and applied it to a new, more muscular consumables...

Meijer puts family man back in charge.(Meijer Inc. promotes Hank Meijer to CEO)(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. -- A family member once again stands at the helm of Meijer Inc., as the company has reconfigured its top management and returned it to a hierarchy reminiscent of the team that guided it successfully through the 1990s. This...

Target wins RAC's best of show, pushing ad bar even higher.(Retail Advertising Council award)(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... CHICAGO -- Target cleaned up yet again at the Retail Advertising Council's (RAC) awards ceremony in conjunction with the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association's (RAMA) annual conference and trade show. The retailer took Best of Show...

Factory 2-U initiates recovery plan to cater to higher-income consumer.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 25, 2002... SAN DIEGO -- Still reeling from a terrible year in which comparable store sales dropped 8.7%, off-price retailer Factory 2-U has implemented a recovery plan that entails closing stores, subtle merchandising changes and a new advertising...

Target showing its true colors with latest merchandising exclusive. (Market Watch).(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... MINNEAPOLIS -- Target will plaster red, white and blue across a wide range of products this summer in collaboration with fashion designer Stephen Sprouse. The retailer reported that an exclusive line of apparel, accessories, home products and...

OfficeMax debuts new ad campaign. (Market Watch).(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... SHAKER HEIGHTS, OHIO -- OfficeMax is counting on a new advertising campaign with the tag line "Max mean's more" to boost sales this year. The ads debuted on national radio in mid-February. The campaign is intended to position OfficeMax as the...

Dress Barn gets new head merchant. (Market Watch).(Keith Fulsher )(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... SUFFERN, N.Y. -- Veteran merchant Keith Fulsher was named senior vp and gmm of the Dress Barn chain of 741 stores. He replaces Kathryn Bufano who resigned last November. Fulsher, who is responsible for all merchandising and product...

Rite Aid secures new board member. (Market Watch).(George Golleher)(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... CAMP HILL, PA. -- George Golleher, a former supermarket executive, was recently named the ninth member of Rite Aid's board of directors. Golleher spent 15 years with the Ralph's supermarket chain until the 1998 acquisition by Fred Meyer. He...

Office Depot positive about 2002 outlook. (Market Watch).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 25, 2002... DELRAY BEACH, FLA. -- As economic indicators go, Office Depot chairman and ceo Bruce Nelson's bullish comments during the company's year-end conference call might be as valuable as conventional measures as housing starts and wage growth....

GameStop in play following IPO. (Market Watch).(Barnes & Noble's video game store subsidiary)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 25, 2002... GRAPEVINE, TEXAS -- Barnes & Noble raised approximately $300 million on Feb. 13 through an initial public stock offering of its GameStop subsidiary Roughly 18 million shares were offered at $18 per share. They closed at $20.10 in first-day...

Spinning tops and retro toys create a buzz at Toy Fair 2002: Show plays usual role as host to innovation.(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... NEW YORK -- For the toy industry, the recently completed Toy Fair 2002 kicked off in New Year and marked the official launch of a new buying season. Most important, though, it wiped the slate clean for an industry that witnessed a sluggish...

New gains in toy technology limit need for bells and whistles.(new toys at 2002 Toy Fair)(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... NEW YORK -- From the flashing lights and din of barking robotic dogs that marked last year's Toy Fair, it seemed toy manufacturers were communicating that technology would make any toy a great one. But by the first half of 2001, robotic...

Amazon launches wedding registry. (e-Watch).(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... SEATTLE -- Amazon got into the romantic spirit earlier this month with the launch of a wedding registry feature on St. Valentine's Day. The new service offers the standard features of other on-line gift registries and marks the third time in...

BizRate.com, Office Depot launch in-store customer satisfaction program. (e-Watch).(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... LOS ANGELES -- BizRate.com has teamed with Office Depot to launch an in-store customer satisfaction program for the retailer's stores. Under terms of the agreement, BizRate.com will provide customer satisfaction measures for Office Depot's...

Kbtoys.com teams with Data Junction. (e-Watch).(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... PITTSFIELD, MASS. -- K.B Toys may finally be looking to make the most of its eToys assets. The company, which operates two main Web operations, Kbtoys.com and eToys, has inked a deal with DATA JUNCTION to use the company's Oracle data...

1-800-Flowers.com web sites earn honors. (e-Watch).(Direct Marketing Association award)(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... WESTBURY, N.Y. -- 1-800-Flowers.com has received kudos for two of its Web sites. Its main site, 1800flowers.com, was named best in the Gifting category in a study recently released by the Direct Marketing Association. It was chosen from among...

Travelocity.com launches online Disney World vacation packages. (e-Watch).(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... FORT WORTH, TEXAS - Travelocity.com and Walt Disney are teaming up to offer discounted bulk-rate ticketing online for vacations at the entertainment company's parks and resorts. Travelocity will create a separate site to service the...

Stamps.com posts 4Q losses. (e-Watch).(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... SANTA MONICA CALIF. -- Stamps.com Inc. posted a smaller net loss and cash loss from continuing operations than expected for its fourth quarter, but said revenue fell in the quarter. Net loss for the quarter was $987,000, or 2 cents per share,...

BandN.com settles succession, taps Toulantis for ceo position.(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... NEW YORK -- After a two-year vacancy in the top seat at Barnesandnoble.com, the online bookstore has named Marie Toulantis as president and ceo, replacing acting chief executive Stephen Riggio. Riggio has since succeeded his brother Leonard...

Electronics boutique reorganizes, cuts kids, collectibles divisions.(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... WEST CHESTER, PA. -- Video game retailer Electronics Boutique is getting back to basics this year with plans to open 200 new stores and eliminate its kids and sports divisions. The 937-store company plans to close its 29 EB Kids stores...

Insider trades. (Finance Watch).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 25, 2002... NATIONWIDE DSN REPORT -- The following are major insider trades as reported to the SEC. STOCKS BOUGHT Best Buy: James Tweeten, officer, bought 9,000 shares on Jan. 11 at $72.99, now owns 27,000 shares. OfficeMax: Michael...

Retail IPO scoreboard.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 25, 2002... RETAIL IPO SCOREBOARD Exchange/Company Gross Shares % Chg. proceeds sold since (in $mil.) (in mil.) offering Initial Public...

Major indices.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 25, 2002... MAJOR INDICES Close Close Net Percent 1/25/02 2/8/02 Change Change DSN Retailing Today 5458.55 5457.01 (1.54) (0.03%) Dow Jones Ind. Avg. 9840.08 9744.24...

Top gainers.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 25, 2002... TOP GAINERS For 2 weeks ended 2/8/02 ShopKo Stores (H) 26.93% Jo-Ann Stores (H) 23.32 Kinart 16.47 Big Lots 11.31 Foot Locker 7.02 TOP LOSERS ...

Earnings digest.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 25, 2002... EARNINGS DIGEST Barnesandnoble.com '01 '00 %Chg. 4Q 12/31/01 Sales 115.0 114.1 0.8 Net Income (127.8) (158.5) NA FY 12/31/01 Sales 404.6 ...

Financial brief. (Finance Watch).(Advance Auto Parts will sell 9 million shares)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 25, 2002... Advance Auto Parts has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to sell 9 million shares of common stock. The retailer is selling 2.25 million shares, while stockholders, Sears, Roebuck and Co., Freeman Spogli & Co. and Ripplewood...

DSN retailing today stock analysis.(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... DSN RETAILING TODAY STOCK ANALYSIS CLOSING CLOSING NET PERCENT PRICE PRICE CHANGE CHANGE COMPANY 1/25/02 2/8/02 PERIOD PERIOD ...

A tribute to two retail leaders. (Editorial).(Stanley Marcus and Dave Thomas)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
February 25, 2002... This is a story about two executives who grew up in two very different worlds. This is a story of two entrepreneurs who set new standards for leadership and service in their respective industries. It's a story of two executives with two very...

The Mass retail Olympics. (Viewpoint).(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... Find me a person who doesn't love the Olympics and I'll show you someone who has no competitive soul. For no venue is a purer measure of raw competitive spirit. Fortunately, this spirit is not limited to athletics. The business world,...

Retailers must double efforts to keep Washington's attention. (Capitol Concerns).(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... Because 2002 is a congressional election year, there are plenty of reasons for the retail industry to be concerned about activities in Washington. But first it's important to point out that retailers have some blessings to count because...

Loyalty fades when confronted with convenience, better selection. (Guest Column).(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... Women are trading retail store loyalty for convenience. According to Roper research, in all eight store categories polled, including discount stores, the percentage of women who say they "almost always go to the same store or chain" has...

War-Mart. (Retailer News).(testing photofinishing center in the front of smaller supermarket stores)(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... War-Mart is taking quick film processing to a new level. The retailer's latest Neighborhood Market opened in Rogers, Ark., Jan. 9 and features 30-minute processing. While Wal-Mart typically locates the film center in the rear of most of its...

Olympus. (Vendor News).(planning to discontinue OM series 35mm cameras)(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... Olympus plans to discontinue its OM series of 35 mm cameras, which it has manufactured since 1972. According to Olympus, it has become increasingly difficult to find reliable suppliers of parts for the system. It will continue to make select...

Fuji. (Vendor News).(opens Professional Imaging Center in Manhattan)(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... Fuji has opened its first Fujifilm Professional Imaging Center in Alkit's Manhattan location. Located in the middle of the store, the center is meant to provide photographers of all levels and interests hands-on experience with Fuji's digital...

Photo Marketing Association. (Industry News).(Distinguished Service Awards)(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... The Photo Marketing Association will honor five industry members with Distinguished Service Awards when it gathers this week in Orlando for the annual convention and trade show. This award is given each year to individuals whose lifelong...

'Cool' cameras. (What's Hot).(digital cameras that appeal to youth)(Brief Article)
February 25, 2002... The technology may only be a few years old, but digital cameras have moved rather quickly into the realm of novelty items and a slew of new models aimed at the younger demographic are poised to hit retail stores. These multifunctional...

Latest digital technology aims to mimic standard print options. (Photo).
February 25, 2002... This may be the year that digital minilabs finally make a splash with retailers, a really big splash to be precise. With price points hovering around $200,000, the choice to invest in either new or upgraded units is a hefty one, and a choice...

In search of the ultimate CE niche. (Power Retailer Ultimate Electronics).
February 25, 2002... For a small retailer, Ultimate Electronics has racked up some big-time experience in new-market penetration in the last few years. So it comes as little surprise when a bustling grand opening event like the recent one in St. Louis comes off...

Kmart vows to pursue fast-track recovery.(Kmart Corp.)(Statistical Data Included)
February 11, 2002... TROY, MICH. -- Kmart's filing for Chapter 11 is without doubt the darkest period in company history. After its swift slide into bankruptcy protection, it faces an uphill battle that it can't win unless it enacts a new plan to distance itself...

Kmart signs on new execs: Advantica duo to lead turnaround.(James Adamson replaces Chuck Conaway as chairman of board, assisted by Ronald Hutchison)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... TROY, MICH. -- Upheaval among executive ranks at Kmart hasn't been unusual since ceo Chuck Conaway's arrival nearly two years ago. This time, however, the ceo himself may be in jeopardy as the board seeks to lay blame for the retailer's...

Ch. 11 shakes up vendor relation: Payment concerns suspend some product shipments.(Statistical Data Included)
February 11, 2002... TROY, MICH. -- Exactly one week after Kmart filed for Chapter 11 protection, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois approved a $2 billion debtor-in-possession credit facility that provides for payment to many of the...

Analysts: Kmart acquisition unlikely.(Statistical Data Included)
February 11, 2002... TROY, MICH. -- Speculation over Kmart's future has run the gamut, ranging from an emergence from bankruptcy as a leaner, meaner retailer to the less optimistic prospect of outright liquidation. But the scenario that sees Kmart being acquired...

Office depot honors women: Business conference recognizes achievement.(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... BOCA RATON, FLA. -- More than 700 women gathered under the southern Florida sunshine last month for The Office Depot Success Strategies for Business Women Conference. The event, which was packaged under the theme of The Knowledge to Win, was...

Marcus leaves legacy of innovative spirit.(Stanley Marcus of Neiman Marcus department stores)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
February 11, 2002... DALLAS -- The much-heralded career of retail giant Stanley Marcus came to an end Jan. 22 upon the news of his death following recent health complications. He was 96. In addition to his vital role in expanding the Dallas-based Neiman...

New Rag Shop president outlines '02 agenda.(Jeffrey Gerstel's agenda)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 11, 2002... HAWTHORNE, N.J. -- Rag Shop touted a first quarter turnaround after an off year at its annual meeting on Jan. 24, as its new president Jeffrey Gerstel said he has been reviewing the entirety of the operation to boost results. One...

TRU tightens belt in stage 2 of turnaround: Accelerated 'mission' leads to layoffs, closings.(Toys "R" Us Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 11, 2002... PARAMUS, N.J. -- Toys "R" Us has spent the last two years drafting the first chapter of its turnaround story, during which time it transformed 433 of 702 stores from messy warehouses to "Mission Possible" stores. Now, it's preparing to turn...

Dollar general re-releases finances: Accounting adjustments uncover discrepencies in millions.(Dollar General Corp.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 11, 2002... GOODLETTSVILLE, TENN. -- Dollar General's recently ended investigation into financial irregularities revealed a pattern of numerous accounting errors that resulted in a nearly $200 million overstatement of earnings from 1998 to 2000. ...

ShopKo to close Pamida distribution center: Cross-dock facility plagued by poor performance and legal battles.(Pamida Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 11, 2002... ASHWAUBENON, WIS. -- The news that the ShopKo-owned Pamida division was closing a distribution center may seem rather innocuous, but given the dark cloud hovering over the company's distribution system in the past year, it may well be a sign...

Costco charts growth plan for FY 2002.(Costco Wholesale Corp.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 11, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO - The top brass at Costco Corp. told shareholders to expect another year of record growth in 2002 despite an ongoing recession that's forced many retailers to put expansion plans on hold. Close to 400 shareholders and...

11 retailers make 'best to work for' list. (Market Watch).(Fortune magazine's top 100 list)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... NEW YORK -- Fortune's annual ranking of the 100 best companies to work for is out, and 11 retailers made the list. The companies and their ranking included Container Store (2), Stew Leonard's (22), Whole Foods Market (48), Lands' End (53),...

Meijer eyes sales growth with new advertising evaluation system. (Market Watch).(Net Perceptions Retail Revelations Advertising Advisor 2.0)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. -- Meijer is using a new software program called Net Perceptions Retail Revelations Advertising Advisor 2.0 to enhance the performance of its circular advertising program. The software supplier said the system will enable...

Self checkouts continue to gain acceptance. (Market Watch).(Kroger Co.)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... MONTREAL -- Kroger plans to add another 500 Optimal Robotics U-Scan Express self-checkout systems to the base of U-Scan systems already installed in 1,200 of its stores. "We have been delighted with the customer response to the U-Scan...

Charming shoppes slims down to serve plus-size customers. (Market Watch).(Charming Shoppes Inc. to close 207 stores)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... BENSALEM, PA. -- Charming Shoppes, with 2,500 stores operating under seven names, plans to close 207 under-performing stores and take a $37.5 million charge. All of its Added Dimensions and The Answer stores will close. This restructuring...

Wal-Mart's Pilozzi promoted in Canada. (Market Watch).(Mario Pilozzi named president and CEO of Wal-Mart Canada Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO -- The continued success of Wal-Mart's 194 Canadian stores has earned Mario Pilozzi a promotion. He was named president and ceo of Wal-Mart Canada after serving as coo for the past 15 months. He joined Wal-Mart Canada in...

Wal-Mart sets sail with Carnival Corp. (Market Watch).(Wal-Mart.com)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... BENTONVILLE, ARK. -- Wal-Mart.com and Carnival Corp., operator of six major cruise lines, have signed an exclusive sales and marketing agreement that gives visitors to WalMart's Web site access to what the retailer and cruise line operator...

Sports Authority makes personnel moves. (Market Watch).(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. -- Sports Authority promoted executive vp of merchandising and sales promotion Elliott Kerbis to the position of president and chief merchandising officer, while cfo George Mihalko was named vice chairman and chief...

Kohl's expands to more new markets. (Market Watch).(in Houston, Boston, and Nashville)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... MENOMONEE FALLS, WIS. -- Kohl's entry in the Houston market with 12 stores is set for March, followed by an April entry in the Boston area with 13 stores and Nashville with four stores. These openings are part of a 37-store first quarter...

Hobby show reflects giddy mood of industry in steady expansion: Near-record traffic keeps craft exhibitors smiling.
February 11, 2002... ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- The craft industry's surprising revival in the throes of a recession was a hot topic at the 61st annual Hobby Industry Association Convention and Trade Show. While some attendees at the Anaheim Convention Center...

Super Show offers niche appeal, yet still gets major manufacturers.(new sporting goods)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... LAS VEGAS -- Although the Super Show can't boast the attendance it once did, and many categories are no longer represented, the show remains a valuable venue, primarily for spotting trends and finding unique items from lesser-known suppliers....

Drugstore.com still focused on profitability. (e-Watch).(fourth quarter, and yearly financial statistics)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 11, 2002... BELLEVUE, WASH. -- Drugstore.com Inc., following the recent announcement that it plans to be EBITDA positive in 2003, posted fourth quarter and full-year financial results. Net sales for the fiscal year ended Dec. 30 reached $145.3 million, a...

1-800-Flowers.com posts record 2Q sales. (e-Watch).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 11, 2002... WESTBURY, N.Y. -- 1-800-Flowers.com Inc., a multichannel retailer of gifts for all occasions, reported revenues of $162.3 million for its 2002 second quarter, which ended Dec. 30, representing an increase of 20.9%, as compared with revenues...

EBay, sotheby's forge online alliance. (e-Watch).(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... NEW YORK AND SAN JOSE, CALIF. - EBay Inc. and Sotheby's formed a strategic online alliance last month to introduce Sothebys.com online auctions to the eBay marketplace early this summer. It will feature the same categories of fine and...

Amazon sees shift in European execs. (e-Watch).(Thomas Lot replaces Georges Aoun)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... LONDON -- Last month, Amazon.com lost two international executives even as it posted a profit for the first time in its history. The ceo of Amazon.fr, the e-tailer's youngest European business, Georges Aoun resigned in early January, citing...

Amazon's profit milestone reverses steady 4Q slide.(Amazon.com Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 11, 2002... SEATTLE -- After eluding investors with artful accounting over the last six years, Amazon proclaimed in plain English it had made good on its promise to deliver its first-ever profit in the fourth quarter of 2001. In fact, Amazon more than...

Housewares show popularity reinforces interest in home-related merchandise.
February 11, 2002... CHICAGO -- The action at the latest Housewares Show, held here at the McCormick Place Convention Center Jan. 13 to 15, demonstrated retailers of all stripes are anxious to take a piece of a business that remains highly dynamic despite the...

Finance watch.(retail stocks)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
February 11, 2002... INSIDER TRADES NATIONWIDE DSN REPORT -- The following are major insider trades as reported to the SEC. STOCKS BOUGHT Galyan's Trading Co.: Charles Nelson, vp, bought 2,400 shares on Dec. 13 at $12.00, now owns 16,935 shares. ...

Why Adamson can turn Kmart around. (Editorial).(Jim Adamson)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
February 11, 2002... Kmart didn't have to conduct a long and exhaustive search for a turnaround specialist. It had only to go as far as its own board of directors to find the executive that could go down in retail history as the man who saved Kmart. It would...

World's largest, and growing. (Viewpoint).(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... First Service Merchandise, then Enron, now Kmart. With all the talk of financial hardships facing companies right now, there's a rather ominous pall hanging over the retail community at the start of this so-called "year of economic recovery."...

Kmart's hazy outlook is crystal clear. (From the Field).(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... The crisp blue January sky above this community of 45,000 in southwest Utah offers more than postcard views of rust-colored mesas jutting from the desert below. Here along a stretch of Interstate 15 that bisects the city of St. George, the...

The right man for the job. (Guest Column).(George W. Bush)(Brief Article)(Column)
February 11, 2002... It's often said nothing can adequately prepare a person for the most important job on Earth: president of the United States. If this is true, we have to rely mostly on our instincts when we decide who to put in this position. Sometimes, we...

Cornering the market on specialty toys. (Power Retailer FAO Inc.).(Company Profile)
February 11, 2002... While most retailers look back despondently on 2001, The Right Start ceo Jerry Welch sees it as the year of opportunity. This ambitious toy visionary had his eyes fixed on specialty toy retailers Zany Brainy and FAO Schwarz for quite some...

Wal-Mart. (Retailer News).(Mattel and Fisher-Price strike deals with Wal-Mart and Toys "R" Us)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... Mattel and Fisher-Price have struck online deals with the No. 1 and No. 2 toy retailers, Wal-Mart and Toys "R" Us. Walmart.com has agreed to feature a Hotwheels.com link; in return, Hotwheels.com's "Shop" section will include a link to...

The Disney Company. (Retailer News).
February 11, 2002... Come June, The Disney Company will exhibit at Licensing 2002 International for the first time. Disney Consumer Products plans to bring its most recently acquired new businesses to the show. Disney has expanded its merchandise brand portfolio...

Marvel Enterprises Inc. (Executive News).(promotes Bill Jemas to chief operating officer)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... Marvel Enterprises Inc. ceo Peter Cuneo announced the promotion of Bill Jemas to coo. The move comes after Jemas' two-year effort to rejuvenate the publishing, licensing and online divisions for Marvel. Jemas' most notable credits include...

Mage knight. (What's Hot).(Mage Knight Rebellion trading card game)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... In the past decade, power brands like Pokemon have helped spawn a new world of trading cards, proving simple photos matched with heavy stats is not enough to hold the short attention spans of young gainers. Today's youth flip through booster...