DSN Retailing Today articles from September 2000

DSN Retailing Today archives from September 2000

Sears rolls out pilot program to test in-store innovations.(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILL. -- In Sears' continuing effort to reinvent itself, recapture market share from discount competitors and make its mall stores easier to shop, the nation's No. 3 retailer launched a pilot program Sept. 8 that began with...

Wal-Mart restructures European operations, names Ferguson ceo.(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... NEW YORK -- Wal-Mart's international growth engine isn't firing on all cylinders, but a restructured European management team is expected to accelerate improvement of the struggling German operation. The retailer recently named Dave...

Similar tests debut in smaller markets.(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... BROOKSVILLE, FLA. -- Several weeks before the recent re-opening of Sears' thirteen publicly-announced, remodeled test stores, several of the features found in those stores debuted at a mid-August opening of a small-format store in central...

HomeBase diversifies, adds home decor megastore.(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... WEST LAS VEGAS, NEV. -- It's easy to get the wrong impression about HomeBase's new retail concept House2Home. After all, one would assume that any concept to come from a parent company with such strong roots in home center retailing would...

Strouds files Ch. 11, begins reorganization.
September 18, 2000... CITY OF INDUSTRY, CALIF. -- Cash strapped and in financial straits, Strouds is undertaking bold measures, including a Chapter 11 filing, to put its business back in the black. Two weeks ago, the retailer filed for bankruptcy protection and...

Clicks and bricks to coexist in mall-based kiosks.(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... FRISCO, TEXAS -- Just as the potential for increased sales via the Internet has caught the attention of the country's largest retailers, mall developers also are searching for ways to entice computer-savvy shoppers. As a result, Internet...

Former Kmart chairman dead at 77.(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... Former Kmart chairman Robert Dewar, 77, died earlier this month at his home in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Dewar began his career at Kmart in 1948 in the company's legal department. He was named president and chief administrative officer in...

Retailers restrict sales of rated video games.(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... TROY MICH. AND BENTONVILLE ARK. -- Kmart and Wal-Mart plan to restrict the sale of violent video games to children. Both retailers announced policies this month requiring cashiers to check identification of buyers before selling video games...

Ames hones ad campaign on eve of Chicago openings.(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... ROCKY HILL, CONN. -- Sept. 21 is destined to be a landmark moment in the annals of Ames Department Stores, as the retailer is grand opening its first stores in Chicago--an effort getting a big boost from a fresh ad campaign--and debuting two...

Kmart names operations leader, refines management structure.(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... TROY, MICH. -- The executive reshuffling that has swept through Kmart since the recent arrival of ceo Chuck Conaway has taken yet another turn with the hire earlier this month of Wal-Mart veteran Mark Schwartz, who will assume the role of...

Goldman Sachs hosts 'global' conference.(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... NEW YORK -- Retail stocks are in the doldrums and look to stay that way through the remainder of the year, especially as company after company has revised same store sales plans downward. And while the share prices of most retailers reflect a...

Safety issues still at root of juvenile products industry.(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... DALLAS -- As parents' develop more acute awareness of children's safety issues, juvenile products sales continue to climb steadily from an all-time high of $4.86 billion in 1998, an increase of 10% over $4.42 billion in 1997. While 1999 sales...

MAGIC show stresses continuity and spotlights trends.(clothing industry exhibition)(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... LAS VEGAS -- Breakthroughs were few and far between at this summer's MAGIC show, held here three weeks ago, but that doesn't mean the event didn't have its bright spots. Of retailers attending the show, Robert Goodfriend, chairman and...

Peapod withdraws from four markets.(Columbus, Ohio, and Houston, Dallas, and Austin, Texas)(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... CHICAGO -- On-line grocer Peapod is shutting down operations in four cities this month: Columbus, Ohio, and Houston, Dallas and Austin, Texas. The retailer, which nearly went bankrupt before it was salvaged by significant investment from...

Payless steps into Central America.(Payless ShoeSource)(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... TOPEKA, KAN. -- Payless ShoeSource is moving into Central America. The retailer has signed a joint venture agreement with PLP S.A., a holding company formed by Central American and Caribbean partners, to open stores in those regions. Mike...

Eddie Bauer clothing line expands.(adding children's clothing, Web site)(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... EDMOND, WASH. -- Eddie Bauer is expanding its children's clothing line and will launch a Web site next month spotlighting the program. The retailer plans to expand the outerwear line, targeting kids ages 5 to 12, to casual clothing with...

Amazon adds new shop for video and computer game enthusiasts.(Amazon.com)(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... SEATTLE, WASH. -- Amazon.com's newest shop sells computer and video games and accessories. The Web store, launched earlier this month, also features content that includes future release lists, a chat room and game reviews.

CSK Auto to settle class action lawsuits.(company to pay up to $11 million)(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... PHOENIX, ARIZ. -- CSK Auto has agreed to pay a maximum of $11 million to settle class action lawsuits brought by former and current store managers and assistant managers who sought overtime pay under California law. The retailer expects to...

Restoration Hardware may be sold.(Bank of America hired to explore options)(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Restoration Hardware's financial difficulties have prompted the specialty retailer to hire an investment banker to explore strategic alternatives, which may include a potential buyout. Bank of America is helping the chain...

Blockbuster selling DirectTV systems.(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... DALLAS -- Blockbuster is now selling satellite system packages in 3,800 of its stores through an alliance with DirectTV. Exclusive offers available in two packages permit customers to receive a one year of free rentals with purchase of a...

Pep Boys partners with roadside service company.(testing partnership with 1-800-TOW-TRUCK)(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... PHILADELPHIA -- Pep Boys is testing a partnership with a national network providing emergency roadside assistance in the Chicago area. Through the service, motorists who call 1800-TOW-TRUCK will be connected to a Pep Boys service department...

Wholsale toy distributor launches in time for holidays.(Distributoys.com)
September 18, 2000... Wholesale vending--a commercial concept seemingly as old as the barter system--is coming to the on-line toy business, and it could spell relief for many toy start-ups and small retailers. The company pushing the concept is Distributoys.com, a...

Home Depot launches e-tailing in select Western markets.(Las Vegas is company's first e-commerce test market)(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... LAS VEGAS -- Home Depot's deliberate move to tread cautiously and methodically into Internet retailing culminated in its launch last month of its first e-commerce test market, Las Vegas. Rather than embark on a full-scale rollout, the...

INSIDER TRADES.(stocks bought, sold, and registered)(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... NATIONWIDE DSN REPORT -- The following are major insider trades as reported to the SEC. STOCKS BOUGHT Ames: James Aglio Jr., vp, bought 2,000 shares at $5.56 on Aug. 14, now owns 27,131 shares; Lisa Bachman, officer, bought 2,000...

Retailers must reinvent or perish.(examples of retail stores changing their approach)(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... As many times as retail executives proclaim that they will focus on the core business, they are constantly testing ancillary businesses and merchandising twists in order to drive traffic, boost profitability and satisfy customers. It...

Carrefour: at the intersection of global.(company emerging as a leading international retailer)(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... At a recent Goldman Sachs global retailing conference in New York, ceo's and other leading executives from an all-star lineup of billion dollar retailers delivered reports on the state of their companies' growth throughout North America and...

Is retailing ready for President Nader or President Buchanan?(both minority party candidates might hurt the retail industry)(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... Retail industry folks who don't like the thought of either Al Gore or George "Dubya" in the White House might be tempted to vote for one of the dark horses in the 2000 Presidential elections. Don't bother. The more retailing learns about...

On-line exchanges revamp off-price dynamic: higher margins, superior sales.(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... Historically, the highly-fragmented market for off-price consumer goods has been typically characterized by (1) sellers/manufacturers often unloading excess goods to a narrow audiences of buyers at breakeven or below-cost prices, and (2)...

National Retail Federation to release channel-surfing report.(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... WASHINGTON -- The National Retail Federation (NRF) announced plans to release the results of a study entitled Channel Surfing: Measuring Multi-Channel Shopping, measuring the effects of multi-channel retailing on consumer behavior. The...

NPD Intelect predicts sales of PDAs will double by yearend.(personal digital assistants)(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. -- NPD Intelect Market Tracking predicts sales of personal digital assistants (PDAs) for the first half of 2000 (Jan. to June) matched sales for all of 1999, suggesting sales will more than likely double by yearend. ...

Greenfield Online reports students active Net shoppers.(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... WILTON, CONN. -- Greenfield's Pulsefinder On-Campus Market Study found that the Internet has become an integral element of college life. The study revealed that 31% of students describe themselves as "Internet dependent," 28% consider...

Soft goods' hard numbers tell story of strong sales.(home furnishings sales)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 18, 2000... Buoyed by a strong economy, solid consumer confidence and low inflation, specialty chain retailers received good news as The NPD Group announced soft home furnishings sales reached $6.5 billion, up a healthy $500 million, or 7.3%, during the...

Frequent teen buyers are good for business.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 18, 2000... While most retailers mainly target adult shoppers, teens are also an important demographic segment. Capture teen shoppers' attention, and you have the current business of a market with lots of discretionary spending power, as well as the...

A lifetime of accomplishment.(David Glass of Wal-Mart)(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... It is understandable that former Wal-Mart president and ceo David Glass has been the recipient of countless awards and accolades during his remarkable retail career. And it's also understandable, realizing his humbleness and management style,...

SPARC recognizes industry pacesetters.(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... The 23rd Annual SPARC Awards event, sponsored by DSN Retailing Today, drew more than 900 attendees to two venues last month to honor exemplary performances by the industry's leading suppliers and retailers. Award winners were selected by...

CATEGORY LEADERSHIP SERIES.(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... Hoover has a top-down commitment to retailer success, which has given us your day-in, day-out trust for leadership in floor-care. Of course, SPARC Awards are a wonderful outcome of that commitment. But we take our pledge to heart:...

Q & A.(with Hoover)(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... INTELLIGENT INNOVATION DSN Retailing Today: Hoover leads in new product design and technology. Why is this so vital to floor-care growth and your brand dominance? Hoover: Intelligent Innovation is the #1 strategic imperative for...

You gotta have it.(speed)(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... Speed, you gotta have it. Superman had it--faster than a speeding bullet he was. Roger Bannister had it when he broke the four-minute mile. He ran the distance in three minutes and fifty-four seconds in Oxford, England in 1954. He...

OLD NAVY.(decline in sales)(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... Old Navy sales sinking as summer ends Old Navy has apparently hit an iceberg. The discount division of The Gap reported an August sales plunge of some 25 percent. Last August, the trendy popularly priced specialty store was producing...

Nickelodeon rockets into new sporty license.(for Rocket Power)(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... Nickelodeon is introducing a new license based on its recently launched children's vehicle Rocket Power. First introduced in August of 1999, the show has achieved high viewership and is reckoned by Nick to be the Number Two children's...

Apparel veteran named vp for J.E. Morgan.(Jim McLaughlin of J.E. Morgan Knitting Mills)(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... Jim McLaughlin has been named vice president of sales and marketing at J.E. Morgan Knitting Mills, a leading producer of thermal wear. Morgan was recently acquired by Sara Lee Corp. An apparel veteran, McLaughlin was formerly vice...

Nike gives Haddad a sporting chance.(joint venture: children's clothing)(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... Nike Team Sports, Inc. (NTSI) has teamed with the Haddad Apparel Group to produce licensed clothing in children's 0 to 20 sizes. "Haddad came highly recommended from the leagues, has tremendous expertise in servicing the children's...

B2Bs: foundation for the future?(retail industry forecast: joint ventures, and increasing business-to-business activity)(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... It's 2007. Apparel retailers and manufacturers regularly collaborate on orders for clothing and fabric, with the Internet as a linchpin. They conduct sourcing activities through third-party Web sites, obtaining customized garments from...

ShopKo's plus-plus (size) situation.(increasing business)
September 18, 2000... Few apparel businesses can claim substantial growth year after year, season after season. It only stands to reason that a category, like plus sizes for instance, producing tangible growth for more than a decade, has finally reached maturity...

SPARC Awarding excellence.(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... Industry executives from the retailing and manufacturing communities celebrated excellence in apparel and textiles last month at the seventh annual Soft Lines SPARC reception. Hundreds turned out for the gala that honors manufacturers...

J.E. Morgan: Market.(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... Retailers are consistently searching for new, fresh approaches to the apparel business. The reasoning behind the thinking is simple. While apparel is one of retailing's most mature product categories, it is also one its most profitable....

Specialty stores raising the bar.
September 18, 2000... The fight for the hearts and dollars of girls and young teens is heating up as big-box retailers continue to battle specialty stores for dominance of the marketplace. What's more, the skirmishes are extending into new territories, including,...

Styles stay on their toes.(Brief Article)
September 18, 2000... Socks are doing a vanishing act to make sales re-appear. Last year a conspiracy of short pants and fashion footwear--primarily in the form of clogs, sandals and mules--kept socks sales modest. Growth at mass, according to The NPD Group,...

Sport shirt styles renewed for spring.(Statistical Data Included)
September 18, 2000... The men's casual shirt "story" for spring 2001 will play out much like a TV schedule, with "reruns" from the previous season and a number of new "shows" in the form of pattern and fabric innovations. Wovens continue to gain ground: Sales...

DSN CHARTS: August sales.
September 18, 2000... [TABLE HAS BEEN CLIPPED]

RETAIL IPO SCOREBOARD.
September 18, 2000... [TABLE HAS BEEN CLIPPED]

MAJOR INDICES.
September 18, 2000... [TABLE HAS BEEN CLIPPED]

TOP GAINERS.
September 18, 2000... [TABLE HAS BEEN CLIPPED]

EARNINGS DIGEST.
September 18, 2000... [TABLE HAS BEEN CLIPPED]

DSN RETAILING TODAY STOCK ANALYSIS.
September 18, 2000... [TABLE HAS BEEN CLIPPED]

Office Depot strives for stability in tough market.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... DELRAY BEACH, FLA. -- Office Depot is developing a smaller and more dynamic store prototype as the company looks to improve retail performance under a realigned management team and new reporting structure. "We know we need to make the...

Circuit City unveils whole new look.
September 4, 2000... JACKSONVILLE, FLA. -- Judging by the exterior of the new Circuit City stores--which have the same old red and gray Circuit City sign--one might think it's a chain short on new developments. But just inside its doors await many new examples of...

Sporting goods retailers spring back with gains.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 4, 2000... NATIONWIDE DSN REPORT -- Sporting goods retailers that have endured several years of turbulent market conditions are reporting improved results and sounding a cautiously optimistic tone as they look toward the back half of the year. Many...

Zellers introduces smaller format to showcase best-selling skus.(Zellers Select )(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... BRAMPTON, ONTARIO -- Zellers has unveiled a new format in a move intended to bring its smallest stores in line with the operational advancements it has made in the rest of the chain. On Aug. 12, the company launched its Zellers Select format...

My Emotions to target teens.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Bath/body chain opens doors this fall BOCA RATON, FLA. -- With more than 30 million teens in the United States--a number that keeps growing each year--retailers are scrambling to attract teenage consumers to their stores. The days of...

Target increases on-line endeavors.(Target Stores )(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... MINNEAPOLIS -- For a retailer that has been accused in the past of dragging its feet when it comes to Internet operations, Target Stores has every reason to sit back and relish the past two weeks as sweet vindication. The retailer...

Wal-Mart joins appliance melee.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... BENTONVILLE, ARK.. -- Wal-Mart will get a read on its ability to sell major appliances later this month when it opens a 225,000-sq.-ft. supercenter in the north Houston suburb of Porter. The store is currently a discount store and will...

Meijer continues Chicago expansion.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... AURORA, ILL. -- In a slow and deliberate expansion of its supercenter format throughout the Midwest, Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Meijer last month opened its second store in the Chicago market. It is the company's fourth store in Illinois and...

Wal-Mart fills in markets with 'one-oh-nine' footprint.(smaller format supercenter)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Smaller format supercenter brings big-city amenities to rural, out-of-way communities KNOXVILLE, IOWA -- Deep in the heartland of America, situated on the edge of town a few hundred yards from nearby fields of corn and soy beans, a...

O'Reilly driving force behind parts network.(O'Reilly Automotive and General Parts Inc. form Internet Autoparts Inc.)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... SPRINGFIELD, MO. -- O'Reilly Automotive, the nation's fifth largest automotives aftermarket retailer, is the principal retail architect behind a new on-line company, Internet Autoparts Inc., that will provide the aftermarket's first...

Hardware industry convenes in Chicago.(National Hardware Show, 2000)
September 4, 2000... Between tool talk, attendees discuss timeliness Of venue CHICAGO -- Consumer demand for quality, efficiency and ease of use are transforming the types of home improvement products making their way to retailers' stores. Most notably,...

Renewed interest in lawn decor drives new and stylish garden product.(gardening equipment at the 2000 National Hardware Show)
September 4, 2000... CHICAGO -- Even those who aren't passionate about gardening are getting caught up in the back-to-nature movement that's creating outdoor showplaces at homes across America. Maybe it relates back to the age-old desire for showing off to...

Speed, ease of use key features of housewares offerings at show.(National Hardware Show, 2000)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... CHICAGO -- Houseware manufacturers were in full force this year at the National Hardware Show at Chicago's McCormick Place with their usual panoply of cleaning products, many aimed at the time-constrained population. The running theme of...

Costco ups Gold Star membership fee.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... ISSAQUAH, WASH. -- With its membership renewals at an all-time high of 86% for its 1999 fiscal year, which ended August 1999, Costco has decided to increase the cost of its Gold Star membership fee by $5. Membership renewal notices were...

McLane's will serve up fast food.(to acquire Ameriserve)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... TEMPLE, TEXAS -- The McLane division of Wal-Mart deepened its penetration of the food service industry and diversified its business with the recent acquisition of Ameriserve. The acquisition is expected to add about $3.2 billion in sales...

Office Depot to add 10 stores.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... DELRAY BEACH, FLA. -- Even as expectations are high Office Depot will soon announce store closings, the company recently said that it expects to open 10 stores this month. Stores will open in Phoenix, Ariz.; Hammond, La.; Folsom,...

Borders names CFO, head merchant quits.(Edward Wilhelm takes on additional duties)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... ANN ARBOR, MICH. -- Border's senior vp of finance Edward Wilhelm was given additional responsibilities as cfo, and the company's president of merchandising and distribution, Timothy Hopkins resigned.

Mail Boxes Etc. to get spun.(initial public offering for Mail Boxes)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... SAN DIEGO -- U.S. Office Products ill-fated diversification efforts continue to unravel. The latest development is the company's plan to divest up to 100% of its interest in Mail Boxes Etc.--a company it acquired three years ago when prior...

Weiss Markets adds self checkouts.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... SUNBURY, PA. -- Weiss Markets, a 166-unit supermarket chain in the Northeast, said it will install self-checkout systems in 50 of its stores over the next 18 months. Weiss began testing systems from Productivity Solutions Inc. in January, and...

Staples touts info award.(CIO-100 award)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... FRAMINGHAM, MASS.--Staples was one of a hundred companies to receive a CIO-100 award from CIO magazine. The company said the award is given to those organizations who exemplify the highest levels of operational and strategic excellence.

Oshman's opens new Texas location.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... HOUSTON -- Oshman's Sporting Goods celebrated the grand opening of its 56th store in late August. The 45,000-sq.-ft. SuperSports USA store is located in The Woodlands, Texas. The store features in-store play areas, including a multi-sport...

Value City names new cfo.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... COLUMBUS, OHIO -- Value City Department Stores named Jim McGrady cfo. He previously served as assistant controller at Consolidated Stores. He succeeds Bob Wysinki who was named executive vp of corporate administration and investor relations.

FAO Schwartz upgrades site, gears up for holiday e-tail battle.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... NEW YORK -- FAO Schwarz has thrown its hat into the on-line toy retailing ring by relaunching its dot-com business Aug. 21 in anticipation of the imminent holiday shopping crunch. And yet, while the new site certainly showcases several...

Today's Man reorders management.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Weitz named president, ceo; Fox named vice chairman MOORESTOWN, N.J. -- As Today's Man struggles for survival, its guiding force, David Feld, has surrendered control of day-to-day operations to two board members and seasoned retail...

INSIDER TRADES.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 4, 2000... NATIONWIDE DSN REPORT -- The following are major insider trades as reported to the SEC. STOCKS BOUGHT Office Depot: Bruce Nelson, ceo, bought 50,000 shares at $6.63 on July 19, now owns 205,480 shares. PetsMart: Carol Cox, vp,...

Today's customer is redefining the shopping experience.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... While the hot, new formats in retailing today may not be easily duplicated by the nation's big-box retailers, they reflect many of the current consumer trends. Several retailers have tried to incorporate some of these factors into their...

Hardware Show must adapt to meet the needs of attendees.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... It's hard to imagine how one of the country's largest home improvement industry trade shows, which takes up every available inch of space at McCormick Place in Chicago, could possibly be in trouble. Trade shows have a long history as the...

A change for the better.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... It's a truism--some would say a cliche--that the one constant in today's world is change. That's especially true in the mass retail industry where rapidly changing consumer preferences and constantly evolving market conditions are everyday...

Get ready now for the e-commerce holiday rush.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... If you're a clicks-and-bricks retailer and you haven't completed your holiday planning, guess what? You're late! Get going right away to develop your "Christmastime Checklist" to ensure your operation is ready for the coming holiday surge....