DSN Retailing Today articles from May 2005

DSN Retailing Today archives from May 2005

Sears debuts Essentials concept.(Sears Essentials)
May 23, 2005... WARRENTON, VA. -- At the debut earlier this month of the new Sears Essentials store, a format whose very inception was the result of last year's historic merger between Kmart and Sears, store planners succeeded in conveying at least one clear...

Just don't do it: Nike steps away from Sears and Kmart.(Kmart Holding Corp., Sears Canada Inc.,)
May 23, 2005... HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILL.--Nike has decided to put some air between itself and longtime retail partner Sears in the aftermath of the Kmart merger. According to Nike, the company's decision to step back was based on image, not business. "It...

Costco tests cosmetics, expands self-checkout.(Costco Wholesale Corp.)
May 23, 2005... ISSAQUAH, WASH. -- Costco this summer will test a new line of merchandise and new technology in select stores when in unveils cosmetics and expands on its test of self-checkout lanes. The chain's first foray into cosmetics is scheduled to...

CVS announces stock split.(CVS H.C. Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS announced that its board of directors has declared a two-for-one stock split, to be effected in the form of a stock dividend, distributable on June 6 to shareholders of record on May 23. "The determination to effect a...

Survey: consumer spending slows in April.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... NEW YORK -- U.S. consumer spending slowed in April, as falling wages and a growing tax burden restrained Americans' shopping habits, according to Deloitte Research. Their survey findings indicated that the Leading Index of Consumer Spending...

Top gainers: for 2 weeks ended 5/11/05.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
May 23, 2005... TOP GAINES For 2 weeks ended 5/11/05 A&P 44.38% Children's Place 14.78 Hibbet Sporting Goods 12.00 to-Ann Stores 10.68 Big Lots 9.41

Top losers: for 2 weeks ended 5/11/05.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
May 23, 2005... TOP LOSERS For 2 weeks ended 5/11/05 Family Dollar (13.77)% Pacific Sunwear (10.47) Limited Brands (7.37) 99 Cents Only (7.15) Party City (6.85)

Major indices.(FINANCIALS)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
May 23, 2005... MAJOR INDICES Close Close Net % 4/27/05 5/11/05 Change Change S&P 500 (GSPC) 1149.03 1171.11 22.08 1.92% Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) 10150.32 ...

Insider trades.(FINANCIALS)
May 23, 2005... STOCKS BOUGHT RADIOSHACK: Gary Kusin, director, bought 30,000 shares on May 6 at $25.30, now owns 40,834 shares. SAKS: Carlos Helu, beneficial owner, bought 500,000 shares on May 4 at $16.74, now owns 18,050,000 shares. TARGET:...

Sparks fly between RadioShack and Circuit City.(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... FORT WORTH, TEXAS, AND RICHMOND, VA. -- The legal squabbling between RadioShack and Circuit City continues unabated with Circuit City ordered by a Canadian court to rename its stores there and RadioShack announcing plans to re-enter the...

Office Depot ceo stays mum on profit outlook.(Steve Odland )(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... BOCA RATON, FL. -- Shareholders looking for new Office Depot chairman and ceo Steve Odland to offer up expectations of the company's future profit potential at its recent annual meeting were offered no such insight. "We are not giving...

Blockbuster shakes up board; coup puts Ichan in power seat.(Carl Ichan)
May 23, 2005... DALLAS -- Despite losing a shareholders vote to rival Carl Ichan, Blockbuster Entertainment ceo John Antioco is expected to stay at the helm of the rental chain and on its board. But the long-time Blockbuster chief may have to share power...

Online poll: based on responses collected from April 26, 2005, through May 13, 2005.
May 23, 2005... Is the current phase of retail consolidation nearing an end, or will it continue for the foreseeable future? 15% Yes, consolidation have reached critical mass. There will be few, if any, additional mergers and/or buyouts in the coming...

Yahoo unveils online music rental service.(Yahoo Music Unlimited)(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO -- Yahoo! is introducing "Yahoo Music Unlimited," an online music subscription service that will enable consumers to download songs onto their mp3 players for $6.99 per month or a $60 annual fee, undercutting the prices of the...

BMG buys competitor Columbia House.(Bertelsmann AG )(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... FRANKFURT, GERMANY -- German media company Bertelsmann AG announced it is buying the New York-based DVD and music club Columbia House. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, under which the Guetersloh-based company's BMG division will acquire...

Kohl's lands Tony Hawk exclusive line.(licensing agreements)(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... MENOMONEE FALLS, WIS. -- Discount department store operator Kohl's has signed a licensing agreement with sportswear maker Quiksilver to get exclusive rights to the Tony Hawk brand of boys and young men's fashions. Financial details of the...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
May 23, 2005... In the article, "Healthy home starts keep sales buzzing" (DSNRT, May 9, p. 11) the fiscal state of the Do-It-Best cooperative was wrongly characterized. Instead of posting "mediocre" results (as was reported), Do-It-Best finished 2004 with...

FMI calls people power the ultimate differentiator.(Food Marketing Institute)
May 23, 2005... CHICAGO -- The theme of employees as a differentiating factor rang throughout the Food Marketing Institute supermarket industry convention held May 1 to 3 at the McCormick Convention Center in Chicago. Indeed, FMI chose this year to fete the...

Ahold: building trust a must to motivate employees.
May 23, 2005... CHICAGO -- The day before the Food Marketing Institute Convention began, Bill Grize, outgoing ceo of Ahold USA, was the first to strike the theme of employee-based differentiation. Grize was the keynote retail speaker at the International...

Can a warehouse club be beautiful? You bet.(Sam's Club )
May 23, 2005... WESLEY CHAPEL, FLA. -- Sam's Club president and ceo Kevin Turner wasn't just playing to the crowd earlier this month when he told several hundred customers gathered in front of the retailer's newest store, "This is the most beautiful Sam's...

New Duckwall ceo--confident in turnarond--ushers in change.(Bruce Dale)(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... ABILENE, KAN. -- Regional discounter Duckwall-Alco Stores reduced its corporate staffing by 18% earlier this month as one of the first moves under new ceo Bruce Dale to turn around the business. The company eliminated 46 corporate...

Supermarkets take new tack in battle against EDLP.(everyday low pricing)
May 23, 2005... SACRAMENTO, CALIF. -- Wal-Mart's steady supercenter growth continues to force traditional supermarket chains to evaluate new means of doing business, from expansion of general merchandise to price reductions aimed at satisfying a new...

Wal-Mart counting on second-half rebound.(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... BENTONVILLE, ARK. -- A bleak outlook for second-quarter sales and challenging market conditions have jeopardized Wal-Mart's ability to achieve planned full-year profits. For the quarter ended April 30, the company reported disappointing...

Linens 'N Things outlines growth plan, cmo search.
May 23, 2005... CLIFTON, N.J. -- At Linens 'N Things' annual meeting, the retailer's president and coo Jack Moore detailed the characteristics he sought in a chief merchandising officer, although he was unable at the time to indicate exactly who that person...

AAFES appoints new commander.(Army and Air Force Exchange Service appoints Paul W. Essex)(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... DALLAS -- The Army & Air Force Exchange Service will welcome a new commander next month when Maj. Gen. Paul W. "Bill" Essex, who currently serves as director of plans and programs, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, takes over for recently...

Palmer heads new William Morris div.(David Palmer, William Morris Agency Inc.,)(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF. -- William Morris Agency coo Irv Weintraub announced the creation of the agency's merchandising and licensing division and promoted David Palmer as its head. "We have created this division to further explore and maximize...

Maersk to buy P&O for $3 billion.(A.P. Moller-Maersk Line, P and O Nedlloyd)(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... AMSTERDAM/COPENHAGEN -- Danish shipping giant A.P. Moeller-Maersk agreed to pay $3 billion in cash for Dutch rival P&O Nedlloyd, expanding its fleet to cement its leadership of the industry. P&O Nedlloyd's board will sup port the intended...

Can I get an Amen on performance accountability?(Editorial)
May 23, 2005... I used to think baseball players were over paid, until I saw what happened in New York earlier this year. Under intense heat from Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, Major League Baseball's golden boy Alex Rodriguez single-handedly sparked a...

Status quo is the enemy of trade shows.(Editorial)
May 23, 2005... The value of trade shows has been much debated in light of continuing market consolidation, advances in technology that get product information and photos into the hands of buyers with a click of the mouse and the constant tightening of...

Retail competition maturing fast.(SPECIAL REPORT: TOP BABY GOODS RETAILERS)
May 23, 2005... With more than 4 million babies born in the United States each year, there's no shortage of business in the baby goods sector. And that's why more and more retailers are pursuing an area that was once just a niche for specialists. While...

Annual JPMA show moves to Orlando.(SPECIAL REPORT: TOP BABY GOODS RETAILERS)(Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association)
May 23, 2005... The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association will bring its annual JPMA Show to Orlando for the first time this year and is expecting a record turnout of manufacturers and retailers from the baby products business. After 23 years in...

Rising production costs spur product price hike.(SPECIAL REPORT: TOP BABY GOODS RETAILERS)
May 23, 2005... Record high oil prices have been a thorn in the side of drivers for months and now they're starting to hit manufacturers in nearly every industry, including companies that make baby goods that are petroleum based. Toy makers have already...

DSW promotes thrill of the hunt.(DSW Shoe Warehouse)
May 23, 2005... When it comes to breadth of selection and rock-bottom prices, category killer DSW Shoe Warehouse is hard to match. DSW is in a quiet period currently as it prepares for its upcoming IPO. However, the company made a lot of noise recently...

Madden leads JCPenney home.(Chris Madden Turning Home Into Haven, JCPenney Company Inc.,)
May 23, 2005... As turnarounds go, JCPenney's has been among the most complete, with the company evolving from dinosaur to sophisticated mass-market leader in about four years. Yet, even when it was lumbering along, JCPenney managed to keep its home fashion...

Best Buy bullish on new store format.(Best Buy Company Inc.,)
May 23, 2005... Not satisfied being the No. 1 consumer electronics retailer, Best Buy has continued to explore ways to increase market share, attract new customers, build higher-margin services and create store concepts that will effectively build a network...

Stop & Shop refines balance between food, GM.(integration of departments of food and general merchandise)
May 23, 2005... While many supermarket operators are getting into general merchandise, few are integrating food and nonfoods with as much care as Stop & Shop. It's one thing to add departments, it's another to spend months and even years testing and fitting...

Latest prototype bolsters OfficeMax brand identity.(fire: finest in retailing)
May 23, 2005... Differentiation. It has been the buzzword among office superstore operators since awakening to the fact that their core customer base--small business and home office power users--had a hard time telling the difference between OfficeMax,...

Pep Boys' turnaround builds momentum.(fire: finest in retailing)(Pep Boys-Manny, Moe and Jack)
May 23, 2005... Leave it to an industry underdog such as Pep Boys to wake up its retail competitors. Innovative new merchandise categories and an improved store design not only contributed to a return of profits but also led to the strongest same-store sales...

Strong regional mix foundation for Gander Mountain growth.(fire: finest in retailing)
May 23, 2005... When a retailer sells products that are as cool and sport as much "wow" factor as those offered at Gander Mountain, the design of the building and the type of fixtures used are of secondary importance. That's the basic premise underlying...

Simple merchandising sells toys at Target.(fire: finest in retailing)
May 23, 2005... Target may be the No. 2 toy retailer in the country, but it's unmatched in its ability to combine low prices with slick product presentation. Target doesn't do anything spectacular with its toy sections but manages to execute the...

Lowe's expands decor, private label to entice female shoppers.(fire: finest in retailing)(Lowe's Food Stores Inc.)
May 23, 2005... Lowe's, the nation's second-largest home improvement chain, has given Home Depot a run for its money in recent years. Though smaller in both store count and revenue, Lowe's continues its steady march toward becoming a best-in-class national...

CVS' goal: attract consumers for life.(fire: finest in retailing)
May 23, 2005... With the company rifling through the last of the Eckerd-to-CVS store makeovers--a process it plans to have completed by the end of July--no doubt CVS executives will try to leverage its award-winning health and beauty program, a critical...

Boulder, Colo.--wild Oats posted a sales gain of 5.4% to $278.1 million for the first quarter.(Wild Oats Markets Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... BOULDER, COLO. -- Wild Oats posted a sales gain of 5.4% to $278.1 million for the first quarter. The advance was largely attributable to nine net new stores and two relocations added since the first quarter 2004. But because of strike effects...

Montvale, N.J.--while observers have wondered whether A&P would pull out of Canada or the U.S. Midwest, it now looks like the supermarket chain may exit both markets.(A and P Corp.)(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... MONTVALE, N.J. -- While observers have wondered whether A&P would pull out of Canada or the U.S. Midwest, it now looks like the supermarket chain may exit both markets. After ceo Christian Haub said that the company might sell its Canadian...

Wal-Mart extends gourmet assortment.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Cover Story)
May 23, 2005... Selling food at the lowest prices and the rapid growth of supercenters has made Wal-Mart a food retailing leader, but intense competition among fewer large players is pushing its operations to the next level. Consumer surveys often...

Tightening the ship: Albertsons realigns mgt. team to streamline operations.(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... BOISE, IDAHO -- Faced with significant competitive challenges, Albertsons has realigned management to develop technological approaches to supply chain, brought more of a Shaw's flavor to store operations and tightened its operations overall....

Food and GM synergies producing advantages.(Genetically modified)
May 23, 2005... Retailers who are using the synergies between food and general merchandise effectively are winning over the food shopper, recently conducted studies reveal. Yet, while supercenters have made the greatest gains, the fragmentation of food...

Steak-umms.(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... Years ago, Steak-umms were a hot item. Part of a new generation of convenience foods, they were a cultural phenomenon that eventually faded out of popularity. In the original version, consumers had trouble separating the individual...

Convenience is king for on-the-go fare: food retailers look to meal-replacement lines to grab customers.(FRESH/FROZEN)
May 23, 2005... To succeed at a time when increasingly complex home meal-replacement operations are becoming a more important competitive factor, dell must absorb foodservice trends for sensory appeal and combine that with consumer preferences for...

Coffee and tea perk up the market: the favorite morning beverages are becoming increasingly upscale.
May 23, 2005... Coffee and tea are going the way of wine, developing ever more sophisticated growing, processing and marketing techniques. Sure, the volume will continue to be done by Folgers and Lipton, but profitable growth is available if food retailers...

Brew imports.(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... While light brews currently dominate the beer business, a number of initiatives should help drive international full-calorie brands in the United States. Some of the bigger initiatives include Coors and Unibev's push in Brazilian Brahma....

Top-notch soups.(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... The migration of restaurant brands to retail continues to garner consumer interest, especially in the soup segment, with refrigerated or frozen soups from popular restaurants now sold in stores. Campbell's is getting in on the act with a...

Meat snacks.(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... With sales of meat snacks still going strong and up 14% last year, innovation continues in this category, with new flavors and types of meat snacks now launching. This summer, a new beef jerky product with a chip-like texture will debut...

With carb craze over, comfort foods return: retailers revamp packaged meal offerings after a tough 2004.
May 23, 2005... Quick dinner solutions remains a hot button within the food industry, but the perplexing reality is that sales of some convenience-oriented grocery products aren't growing. While boxed dinner kits were a hot segment at one time, such is not...

Sweet sounds of progress for candy makers: premium SKUs, Hispanic offerings create buzz in category.
May 23, 2005... The small ripple of excitement and then trepidation that the low-carb movement brought to the confectionary industry last year appears to have dwindled as it evolves as a niche market, with most product innovation returning to traditional...

Owners of Dell printers accustomed to visiting the company's Web site for their supplies can now purchase remanufactured compatible Dell inkjet cartridges at Staples stores as well as online at Staples.com.(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... Owners of Dell printers accustomed to visiting the company's Web site for their supplies can now purchase remanufactured compatible Dell inkjet cartridges at Staples stores as well as online at Staples.com. Staples introduced color and black...

Office Depot.(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... Office Depot's decision last fall to shelve plans for construction of a new headquarters turned out to be a profitable one. The company disclosed in a regulatory filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it sold the property in...

BlackBerry.(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... The number of subscribers using BlackBerry wireless communication devices surged to more than 3 million as the product's maker, Ontario-based Research In Motion, reported adding 1 million new subscribers during the past six months. The...

Identity theft solutions.(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... The heightened concern about identity theft has resulted in increased need for identity protection solutions. Shredders have seen several years of steady growth and are on their way to becoming as commonplace in the home as microwave...

FedEx and UPS deliver much more than mail.(office supplies update)
May 23, 2005... Office superstore chains and warehouse clubs are the undisputed winners when it comes to selling a broad assortment of office supplies at low prices in a self-service environment. However, when it comes to serving business customers' needs...

Office Depot drives small business.(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... Office Depot received nearly 100,000 entries in its recent "Official Small Business of NASCAR" promotion. Winner Corey Reynolds, owner of Houston-based Fort Bend Lock & Key, got VIP treatment at the Dodge Charger 500 held at Darlington...

Party America growing into major player.(hardlines: WHAT'S HOT * WHAT'S NEW * WHAT'S HAPPENING)(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... Two years ago Party America was a little known retailer operating on a regional basis. Now, after acquisitions and 18 months of strong same-store sales growth, Party America has emerged as a national player in the party goods segment. ...

Pier 1.(RETAILER NEWS)(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... While comp-store sales keep tumbling, Pier 1 is touting new merchandising efforts to get it back on track. In the wake of announcing weak April sales, the company stated that customers are responding to improved collections of fresh...

Cost Plus World Market.(company sales)(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... Cost Plus World Market reported that costs associated with the departure of ceo Murray Dashe and the closing of four stores will push it into the red for the first quarter. Although sales gained 7.7% in the period, comp-store sales slid 1.9%...

Tribest.(VENDOR NEWS)(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... More than ever, housewares are reflecting food trends. A prime example example is Tribest's Freshlive Automatic Sprouter featured at the recently completed Gourmet Show. The system provides a controlled environment for consumers who want to...

Healthy kids.(WHAT'S HOT)(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... With controversies swirling around nutrition and health--particularly as the issue applies to children--products that help people live healthier are getting greater attention. Already many retailers, including Sears and Target, have put...

Latest vacuums command higher price points.(FLOOR CARE UPDATE)
May 23, 2005... The vacuum category is changing drastically in the mass market and traditional vendors are feeling the impact. With both low-and high-end suppliers taking stronger positions, new challenges and opportunities have arisen that have the...

Home spa category still growing strong.(home & housewares: WHAT'S HOT * WHAT'S NEW * WHAT'S HAPPENING)(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... The recent Wellness Expo at New York's Jacob Javits Center demonstrated one thing with certainty: the home spa sector is gathering for a new run at America's senses. Of course, a push in home spa was demonstrated at the recent Housewares...

Wet/dry vacuums drive category in '04.(home & housewares: WHAT'S HOT * WHAT'S NEW * WHAT'S HAPPENING)(Illustration)
May 23, 2005... WET/DRY VACUUMS DRIVE CATEGORY IN '04 CATEGORIES JAN.-DEC. '04 % CHANGE VS. UNITS JAN.-DEC '03 Upright vacuum 17,815 -0.4%...

Sirius Satellite Radio.(RETAILER NEWS)(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... Sirius Satellite Radio announced it will offer program content currently only found on the Internet with the addition of PodShow.com. The phenomenon is essentially an aggregation of digital content that is condensed and transferred to...

Microsoft.(EXECUTIVE NEWS)(Chris Liddell appointed)(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... Microsoft has named Chris Liddell as the company's cfo. Liddell was formerly cfo of International Paper and took the reins at Microsoft beginning May 9. He replaces John Connors, who left in March to join a venture capital firm.

Consumer Electronics Show.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
May 23, 2005... The Consumer Electronics Show is heading back to the Sands Expo Center in 2006. After two years of hosting the conference in one (somewhat) condensed location, the event will splinter off once again with the Sands hosting emerging...

Robot vacuums.(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... Once, while attending an executive conference for the CE industry, this reporter was asked what technological innovation had most affected her life. The answer was easy, but decidedly low tech: the Swifter, which uses electromagnetic sheets...

Tech-savvy consumers begin printing at retail.(digital printing)
May 23, 2005... More U.S. consumers are printing at retail than ever before and there is more than wishful thinking on the part of the industry as new data supports the trend. After years of asking when the consumer will finally hit that print button, it...

High-def now means high demand.(ce & entertainment: WHAT'S HOT * WHAT'S NEW * WHAT'S HAPPENING)
May 23, 2005... Sales of HDTVs and flat-panel displays continue to be anything but flat, in spite of still-high prices, confusion among consumers about differing technology and legislative issues surrounding HDTV. "It's all about flat panel, that's all...

Women gaining confidence with digital cameras.(ce & entertainment: WHAT'S HOT * WHAT'S NEW * WHAT'S HAPPENING)
May 23, 2005... WOMEN GAINING CONFIDENCE WITH DIGITAL CAMERAS PURCHASER PRIMARY USER MALE FEMALE MALE FEMALE LESS THAN 1 YEAR 56% ...

Sears Holdings looks to jettison Orchard Supply.(Orchard Supply Hardware Corp.)(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILL. -- The pruning has begun at the new Sears Holdings Corp. with the announcement that the company intends to sell or spin off its Orchard Supply Hardware business. Industry watchers consider this chairman Eddie Lampert's...

Shopping outlook.(MERCHANT PLANNER: A MONTHLY TREND TRACKER OF WEATHER AND MERCHANDISING FOR THE YEAR'S HIGHEST-VOLUME RETAIL "HOLIDAYS")(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... The week leading up to July 4th weekend (Sunday 6/26 to Saturday 7/2) will be more favorable for Spring seasonal categories and overall store traffic, especially in the Southeast where it will be both warmer and drier than last year and...

Forecast by retail market.(MERCHANT PLANNER: A MONTHLY TREND TRACKER OF WEATHER AND MERCHANDISING FOR THE YEAR'S HIGHEST-VOLUME RETAIL "HOLIDAYS")(Illustration)
May 23, 2005... FORECAST BY RETAIL MARKET AVERAGE LAST YEAR THIS YEAR City (30 YEARS) (ACTUAL) (FORECAST) Boston TEMP 71 [degrees] 70 [degrees] 72 [degrees] ...

Precious metals.(MERCHANT PLANNER: A MONTHLY TREND TRACKER OF WEATHER AND MERCHANDISING FOR THE YEAR'S HIGHEST-VOLUME RETAIL "HOLIDAYS")(Brief Article)
May 23, 2005... One of this season's hottest fashion crazes is giving new meaning to the term "lead foot." Partly inspired by the steady rise in popularity of Bohemian styling over the few years, fashion footwear--specifically metallic-look sandals and...

Patriotic fare still booming for Independence Day.
May 23, 2005... Interest in patriotic merchandise, from U.S. flags to red-white-and-blue apparel and picnic items, heats up every summer and reaches a crescendo on the biggest barbecuing weekend of the year: Independence Day. While flag sales may never...

Good business goes beyond stock price.
May 23, 2005... Fast forward to this fall and imagine for a second your favorite football team, the one that normally vies for a national championship, has begun the season with several consecutive losses. Sports fans are in a panic and looking for answers....

WalMart.com easy access to more Wal-Mart.(Guest Column)
May 23, 2005... I talk to a lot of people in my travels. Most of them think the vast selection of products that Wal-Mart stores carry is about as large a selection as you can find. So the first thing I tell them about Walmart.com is, "Imagine even more." The...

Saving millions ... one penny at a time.(New in NWA)(store planning department)
May 23, 2005... The impact of a single cashier using a large bag to hold a few items when a smaller bag would suffice may seem inconsequential to Wal-Mart's expense structure. But, magnify that action by the number of customer transactions it took for the...