Mass Market Retailers articles from December 2003

Mass Market Retailers archives from December 2003

Whole Foods grows.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... WHOLE FOODS GROWS: Whole Foods Market Inc. will open stores in the next year and a half in New York City, central New Jersey and greater Hartford, Conn. The Austin-based chain will debut a 48,000-square-foot outlet in Middletown, N.J., next...

Chains host banks.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... CHAINS HOST BANKS: Kroger Co. will unveil 22 Charter One bank branches in supermarkets in greater Indianapolis. The two companies will jointly launch several pro grams in connection with the introductions. Also hosting bank branches are Safeway...

Publix expands test.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... PUBLIX EXPANDS TEST: Publix Super Markets Inc. will further test its Pix convenience store format with openings next summer in Spring Hill and Casselberry, Fla. The chain has four Pix units, in Lakeland, Winter Haven, Poinciana and Deltona,...

Digital print units.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... DIGITAL PRINT UNITS: Bartell Drugs has launched digital print centers with Kodak technology at its 52 stores. The rollout makes the chain the first major retailer in the Seattle area to offer immediate, on-site self-service processing of prints...

MSI agrees to purchase Medicap.(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... ST. LOUIS -- Medicine Shoppe International Inc. (MSI), a unit of Cardinal Health Inc., will acquire Medicap Pharmacies Inc., a franchise chain with 179 drug stores in 33 states. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of this...

California supers stand firm.(Spotlight)(labor unions strike at three firms)
December 8, 2003... LOS ANGELES -- Almost two months after the supermarket strike began in southern California talks were set to resume in early December. The strike--which involves some 70,000 grocery clerks at 860 outlets operated by Kroger Co., Safeway Inc....

Dollar Gen. is flexing its muscle.(Dollar General Corp.)
December 8, 2003... GOODLETSVILLE, Tenn. -- Dollar General Corp. is on a roll. Executives at the 6,650-store chain said last month that the company expects to open 660 outlets by the end of January when its fiscal year closes and that it should add 675 mere...

It's shareholders vs. Safeway.(Safeway Inc.)
December 8, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO -- Plagued by a customer exodus at three acquired chains and a spreading labor strike, Safeway Inc. now faces a shareholder revolt in the form of a lawsuit filed by two pension funds. Meanwhile, the company's chief financial...

Two top execs move to Kmart.(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... TROY, Mich. -- Two new executives joined the senior management team at Kmart Corp. earlier this month. John Goodman, who had spent the last 11 years with The Gap Inc., has joined Kmart as senior vice president and chief apparel officer. At...

Penn Traffic works through Chapter 11.(News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- As it continues to struggle through Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, Prom Traffic Co. tentatively agreed last month to sell 11 Big Bear supermarkets in central Ohio to Kroger Co. The $20 million (excluding store...

Kids 'R' Us.(News)(store closings)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... WAYNE, N.J. -- In an effort to reverse a declining sales trend, particularly at its Kids "R" Us units, Toys "R" Us Inc. has decided to close 182 poorly performing stores. The units to be shuttered include 146 freestanding Kids "R" Us...

ShopKo will invest in growth.(News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... GREEN BAY. Wis. -- ShopKo Stores Inc. will invest about $100 million in fiscal 2004 on a variety of projects that include new stores, remodels and the installation of self-checkouts. Reflecting a major strategic shift, the pharmacy business...

FTC eyes slotting allowances.(News)
December 8, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Slotting allowances have crone kinder renewed scrutiny by the federal government with the release of a new report on the increasingly controversial practice by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The study focuses on slotting...

Remodeled Weis units reopen.(News)(Weis Markets Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... SUNBURY, Pa. -- Weis Markets Inc. recently completed the expansion and remodeling of stores in three Pennsylvania communities. Units in Lewisburg, Tannersville and Williamsport remained open during the projects, which saw almost 10,000...

Fresh Brands loses two top execs.(News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... SHEBOYGAN, Wis. -- Fresh Brands Inc. said last month that chief executive officer Elwood Winn and vice president of retail operations John Rocker were leaving the company to pursue other interests. Winn had been Fresh Brands' chief...

Ahold on its 'road to recovery'.(News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... ZAANDAM, the Netherlands--Ahold NV, which owns six supermarket chains in the eastern United States and a food service operation there, proceeded with its rights offering as part of its "road to recovery" program announced last month. The issue...

Martin joins Big Lots.(News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Big Lots Inc. has appointed John Martin executive vice president of merchandising. He reports to chief executive officer Michael Potter. A 30-year retailing veteran. Martin directs all areas of merchandising, including...

Scoreboard.(Money News)(Illustration)
December 8, 2003... SCOREBOARD Net Quarter Dollar Income RETAILERS Ended Sales Change (Loss) Big Lots (1) 11/01 948.1 mil + 9.2 (5.12 mil)...

Biggest gainers.(Money)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
December 8, 2003... BIGGEST GAINERS Stock Close Change vs. % 11/28/03 10/31/03 Change Circuit City 13.02 +3.48 +36.5 Smart & Final 9.13 +1.92 +26.6 Nash Finch 20.11 +4.09 ...

Biggest losers.(Money)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
December 8, 2003... BIGGEST LOSERS Stock Close Change vs. % 11/28/03 10/31/03 Change Dollar Tree 31.72 -6.57 -17.2 Kohl's 48.32 -7.75 -13.8 Family Dollar 38.58 -5.03 ...

Most active.(Money)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
December 8, 2003... MOST ACTIVE Vol. (000) As a % Change vs. 1 Wk. Ended of Total 1 Wk. Ended Stock 11/28/03 Shares 10/31/03 Dollar Tree 13,800 13.4 209.3 Circuit City ...

Penney hit by results at Eckerd.(Money)
December 8, 2003... PLANO, Texas -- Ongoing weakness at its Eckerd Drug Corp. unit offset strengthened performances at J.C. Penney Co.'s department store and rata log segment, driving down third quarter earnings from continuing operations by 10.1%. While...

Continuing operations are off 16.8% at BJ's.(Money)
December 8, 2003... NATICK, Mass. -- With price cuts continuing to exact a toll on margins, BJ's Wholesale Club reported a double-digit decline in third quarter income from continuing operations. Nonetheless, earnings per share exceeded Wall Street and company...

Target stores excel.(Spotlight)
December 8, 2003... MINNEAPOLIS -- Improved profits in its namesake discount department store division offset downturns in the Mervyn's and Marshall Field's groups, to give Target Corp. a single-digit increase in earnings for fiscal 2003's second quarter. Net...

Fred's net up 21.9% on 18.4% sales gain.(Money)
December 8, 2003... MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Amidst its most ambitious expansion drive ever, Fred's Inc. posted solid, double-digit gains in sales and earnings through the quarter and nine months ended November 1. Net income for fiscal 2003's third quarter rose 21.9%...

Mixed month for retail stocks.(Money)
December 8, 2003... NEW YORK -- Mass market retailing shares ended mixed in November, although analysts continue to be bullish regarding the economic prospects for 2004. Many expect the current business expansion to continue to pick up steam next year, which they...

Reduction in debt service costs helps lift ShopKo's bottom line.(Money)
December 8, 2003... GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Aided by a substantial cut in its debt service costs, net earnings rose nearly 10% despite weak sales at ShopKo Stores Inc. in this year's third quarter. The results exceeded the company's guidance as well as analysts'...

SDM turns in another strong quarter.(Money)
December 8, 2003... TORONTO -- With system sales demonstrating strong growth and cost-cutting initiatives reaping benefits, net income took a double digit jump at Shoppers Drug Mart Inc. (SDM) during the third quarter. The franchisor's bottom line soared 23.5%...

The battle of progress vs. preservation.(Opinion)
December 8, 2003... The cover story in the November/ December issue of Preservation magazine, "The Town That Beat Wal-Mart," is an account of the 11-year fight to prevent the world's largest retailer from opening a discount store in Chestertown, on Maryland's...

Wal-Mart's way of doing things.(Opinion)
December 8, 2003... Lee Scott spoke recently at a seminar on emerging retail trends at the University of Arkansas Walton College of Business' Center for Retailing Excellence. The chief executive officer of the world's largest corporation arrived shortly...

Overtime regs need overhaul.(Opinion)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... WASHINGTON -- The standards for setting overtime pay are badly in need of updating, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF) and other business groups. The NRF has joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of...

Delhaize agreement.(Global News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... DELHAIZE AGREEMENT: Belgian retailer Delhaize Group has agreed to sell its 49% stake in the Singapore food chain Stop N Save to Cold Storage Singapore Pte Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hong Kong-based Dairy Farm International Holdings Ltd....

Carrefour expansion.(Global News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... CARREFOUR EXPANSION: French retailer Carrefour SA says it hopes to open 200 hypermarkets worldwide between 2004 and 2006. Real estate director Jean-Christophe Bretxa notes that the company opened 55 hypermarkets, 130 supermarkets and 450...

Asda sales advance.(Global News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... ASDA SALES ADVANCE: Asda Group PLC, Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s British supermarket chain, says its sales in the third quarter increased by "the low double digits." Same-store sales, the company reports, increased in "the high single digits."...

Ahold sells stores.(Global News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... AHOLD SELLS STORES: Ahold NV sold two Hypernova hypermarkets in Poland last month to Carrefour Poland. Terms of the sale were not disclosed. The sale of the stores in Sosnowiec and Bydgoszcz is subject to antitrust and other approvals.

Closures at Sobeys.(Global News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... CLOSURES AT SOBEYS: Sobeys Inc. has closed two of its retail support centers in Alberta. The facilities in Grande Prarie and Peace River provided delivery, warehouse and other retail support to 14 IGA stores in northern Alberta and British...

Tesco's comp-store sales in U.K. beat analysts' projections.(Global)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... LONDON -- Tesco PLC's comparable-store sales in the United Kingdom rose 6.9% for the 14 weeks ended November 15, beating most projections. Analysts had predicted that the same-store volume for the third quarter would increase from 4% to 6.2%....

The logic of Turkey.(Spotlight)
December 8, 2003... ISTANBUL, Turkey -- Bazaars, bakkals... and now Tesco. With a population conservatively put at l0 million, many visitors mistakenly think that Istanbul is the capital of Turkey. Not so. Like everything about this country, the story is...

Sainsbury revamp is under way.(Global)
December 8, 2003... LONDON -- After its recent fall from the No. 2 position on the list of Britain's best performing supermarket chains, J. Sainsbury PLC has begun to revamp its operation. Late last month the company, which as recently as the mid-1990s had...

Rexall Place is the home of Oilers.(Global; new name for Edmonton Oilers Hockey Stadium)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... EDMONTON, Alberta -- Katz Group and the Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club have announced a 10-year sponsorship and marketing agreement under which Katz will own the naming rights to the Oilers home arena and serve as its exclusive health care...

Loblaws battle in Newfoundland.(Global)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... TORONTO -- Loblaw Cos., Canada's biggest supermarket chain. recently locked out about 1,600 workers at its 15 Dominion stores in Newfoundland. Loblaws said the employees had been locked out because of a labor disruption, but the workers,...

PriceSmart China has a tough road ahead.(Global)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... HONG KONG -- PriceSmart China, which operates under a license from American retailer PriceSmart Inc., plans to open 14 stores next year in China. "It's a tough market," says Fu Lu Yong, executive vice president of PriceSmart. "There is a...

Safeway ready for bids again.(Global)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... LONDON -- Recently published reports in the British press say the country's Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has sent fresh legal documents to the groups vying for Safeway, setting the stage for new bids for the supermarket company to be made...

Multiple factors heat up Australian retail scene.(Global)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... SYDNEY -- Competition in Australia is heating up" with an expansion by Aldi, a convenience store push at Coles Myer Ltd. and gas discounts at supermarkets. Aldi is speeding up its growth in Australia with the establishment of a new office...

Kiss My Face debuts two winter products.(Merchandising News)(bar soap and body moisturizer)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... KISS MY FACE DEBUTS TWO WINTER PRODUCTS: Kiss My Face Corp. has introduced two products for winter--Big Kiss bar soaps and organic body moisturizers. The 10-ounce soaps come in four formulas--eucalyptus and grapefruit; peppermint, rosemary and...

Altitude Plus develops Popsicle toothbrush.(Merchandising News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... ALTITUDE PLUS DEVELOPS POPSICLE TOOTHBRUSH: Altitude Plus LLC has developed a Popsicle toothbrush for children of all ages that features three scents--orange, cherry and grape. Selling for $3, the toothbrush looks like a real popsicle until the...

Esselte offers Ready-Tab hanging folders.(Merchandising News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... ESSELTE OFFERS READY-TAB HANGING FOLDERS: Esselte Corp. has introduced Pendaflex Ready-Tab hanging folders featuring built-in tabs and the convenience of a hanging folder. The preinstalled tabs across the top of the folder are located in five...

Fougera launches babyADE to treat diaper rash.(Merchandising News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... FOUGERA LAUNCHES BABYADE TO TREAT DIAPER RASH: Fougera has introduced soft-squeeze tubes of babyADE, an enriched ointment for the prevention and treatment of diaper rash. The green and yellow packaging is identical to individual 5-gram foilpacs...

New scent and look for Static Guard spray.(Merchandising News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... NEW SCENT AND LOOK FOR STATIC GUARD SPRAY: Alberto-Culver Inc. has introduced a new scent and new packaging for its Static Guard antistatic spray. In addition to the new fresh scent, Static Guard's new package graphics will highlight its...

Revlon's Dirty Dancing-Havana Nights line.(Merchandising News)(fingernail enamels)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... REVLON'S DIRTY DANCING-HAVANA NIGHTS LINE: Revlon Inc. has announced plans to introduce for Valentine's Day 2004 its Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights color collection including nail enamel shades ranging from sheerly cha-cha-cha to Revlon red....

'Finding Nemo' released on 2-disc DVD and VHS.(Merchandising News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... 'FINDING NEMO' RELEASED ON 2-DISC DVD AND VHS: Buena Vista Home Entertainment has released Finding Nemo on video selling for $24.99 and on a 2-disc collector's edition DVD for $29.99. Buena Vista Home Entertainment Inc., 350 S. Buena Vista St.,...

Keson's standing laser level for precision.(Merchandising News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... KESON'S STANDING LASER LEVEL FOR PRECISION: Keson Industries Inc. has introduced the LLA38 multifunctional laser Torpedo level, which can project either a laser dot or a laser line for precise leveling, aligning and plumbing measurements. Keson...

U.S. camera unit sales.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
December 8, 2003... August 2003 Year-to-date Analog -34% -37% 35mm -38% -38% APS -32% -36% Digital ...

CVS is first to provide new service.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... NEW YORK -- Consumers will be able to walk into a CVS Corp. outlet beginning in February and make a print of an image captured on their camera-enabled wireless phone. CVS will be the first national retailer to offer the service, which uses...

Boots grows scope, inks deals with Target, CVS.(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... LONDON -- Boots PLC is extending its reach into the United States through an agreement with Target Corp. in which it will open branded areas in the discount chain's stores. British-based Boots has also entered into a similar pact with CVS...

The 8th retail wonder.(Spotlight)
December 8, 2003... ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Retailers seeking inspiration on how to differentiate themselves in a tough, price-driven marketplace would do well to visit Kowalski's Markets in the Twin Cities. While there are now seven supermarkets bearing the Kowalski's...

GE gets message across--fast.(Merchandising)
December 8, 2003... CLEVELAND -- Because consumers are spending less time shopping and making their buying decisions in eight to 10 seconds, both retailers and manufacturers are being challenged to quickly communicate product benefits. General Electric Co....

POHC reorganizes, plans drive.(Merchandising)(Philips Oral Healthcare)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... SNOQUALMIE, Wash. -- Philips Oral Healthcare (POHC), a division of Royal Philips Electronics, recently completed a major reorganization as part of a global company initiative. The expected result will be to drive growth in the North...

Curriculum-based school supply line to debut.(Merchandising)(Scholastic Inc., MeadWestvaco Corp. partnership)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... NEW YORK -- Scholastic Inc. has entered into a partnership with MeadWestVaco Corp. to create a "groundbreaking" line of school supplies for children. The first fully integrated, curriculum-based school supply line specifically designed for...

O-Cedar is acquired by Freudenberg.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... NORTHLAKE, Ill. -- Freudenberg Household Products LP has acquired O-Cedar, a leading brand in the household cleaning products category. Freudenberg is well known for its own innovative household cleaning items--Vileda and Roll-O-Matic. ...

Energizer is going fishing.(sponsors FLW Outdoors 2004 fishing tournament season)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... MINNEAPOLIS -- Energizer has announced that it has renewed its sponsorship of all six FLW Outdoors tournament trails for the 2004 fishing tournament season. With the support of such brands as Energizer batteries and flashlights,...

Top-selling mass market categories *: for the 52 weeks ended November 2, 2003.(Illustration)
December 8, 2003... Top-Selling Mass Market Categories * For the 52 weeks ended November 2, 2003 TOTAL FDM FDM EXCLUDING EXCLUD. ...

The 2003 MMR/IRI food and beverage report.(Merchandising)
December 8, 2003... NEW YORK -- Chain drug stores' pursuit of grocery sales paid off in the past year, with major gains in such key categories as soup and coffee. Supermarkets, by contrast, generally recorded sluggish food and beverage sales in the year ended...

FDA weighs changes in food labels.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... WASHINGTON -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering requiring food labels to show nutrition information for complete package contents rather than per serving size. With current labeling consumers must multiply nutritional...

Noritsu appointment.(People News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... NORITSU APPOINTMENT: Noritsu America Corp. has appointed Gregory Joe marketing manager. He will be responsible for organizing and directing strategic marketing efforts to meet both market share and sales goals for the company and its...

pH Beauty/Freeman.(People News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... PH BEAUTY/FREEMAN: pH Beauty/Freeman Cosmetics has named Suzanne Nail director of operations and finance. In her new position she will oversee all financial and operational practices of both companies. In another change Todd Bennett, who had...

BI-LO/Bruno's changes.(People News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... BI-LO/BRUNO'S CHANGES: Bi-Lo/Bruno's supermarkets has named Larry Zitzke vice president of construction and maintenance. His responsibilities will include store design, construction, equipment procurement, store maintenance and energy...

Home Depot shifts.(People News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... HOME DEPOT SHIFTS: Home Depot Inc. has announced two executive appointments. Eric Peterson has been named president of strategic markets based in Atlanta. The company also announced that it would consolidate its smaller Northwest division into...

Entrepreneur award.(People News)(National Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2003)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... ENTREPRENEUR AWARD: John Mackey, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Whole Foods Market Inc., has been named the 2003 Overall National Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year at a gala last month.

Executive at ShopKo.(People News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... EXECUTIVE AT SHOPKO: ShopKo Stores Inc. has named Timothy Slimp director of facilities management.

Giancamilli joins Katz.(Spotlight)
December 8, 2003... EDMONTON, Canada -- One of the chain drug industry's best-known executives recently returned to the fold when Andy Giancamilli was appointed president and chief operating officer of Katz Group North America. Giancamilli has spent the last...

Grimett promoted at Safeway.(People)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... DENVER -- Safeway Inc. has announced the appointment of Scott Grimmett as president of the company's Denver division, which includes 143 supermarkets in Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska and New Mexico. Grimmett has been with the...

Sears names senior VP, GMM.(People)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Sears, Roebuck and Co. has promoted Patti Simigran to senior vice president and general merchandise manager of women's apparel. In her new position Simigran will provide overall strategic leadership for Sears'...

Albertsons taps group VP grocery.(People)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... BOISE, Idaho -- Albertsons Inc. has appointed Duncan Mac Naughton group vice president of grocery merchandising. In his new role Mac Naughton is responsible for leading the retailer's efforts in key center store categories, including...

ShopKo tabs two execs for key posts.(People)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... GREEN BAY, Wis. -- ShopKo Stores Inc. has announced executive promotions in human resources and audit services. Daniel Bostedt has been appointed vice president of human resource services and systems. He will oversee the retailer's benefits...

Wal-Mart success, growth engender challenges.(Introduction)
December 8, 2003... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Now in its 41st year, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. stands at a pinnacle of success that almost defies imagination. From its humble beginnings as a rural discount store, it has become the world's largest company on the basis of...

Expansion plans are always right on track.(Introduction)(Wal-Mart)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Although staffing and managing a company the size of Wal-Mart is not easy, the challenges have not yet visibly slowed its pace of expansion. In fiscal 2005 (which begins February 1, 2004), the world's largest company...

Best place to work, best people.(People)
December 8, 2003... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- For Wal-Mart to maintain its growth pace, it will have to hire a lot of new people. It is already the country's largest private employer, with a total workforce (including those in other countries) of about 1.4...

'Diversity doesn't just happen'.(People)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart has created a new office of diversity to coordinate the company's efforts to be inclusive in its employment practices, supplier relations and community outreach efforts. Charlyn Jarrells Porter, an 11-year...

The Wal-Mart way of getting things done.(People)
December 8, 2003... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- As the human resources leader at Wal-Mart, Coleman Peterson is the point man in the company's efforts to expand its already huge workforce while maintaining its unique corporate culture. The challenge he faces as...

A marvelous example for associates.(People)(Shewmaker Center for Workforce Technologies)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Former Wal-Mart president Jack Shewmaker, who now serves on the company's board of directors, was honored here recently for his dedication to education and the community. The reception was held at the Shewmaker Center...

In search of the very best talent.(People)
December 8, 2003... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Ramona Benson, a 21-year Wal-Mart veteran, says the most rewarding part of her job is identifying talented employees and seeing that they rise to higher levels in the chain. "There is nothing more exciting than promoting...

Building networks across Wal-Mart.(People)
December 8, 2003... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- During the course of a 25-year career that began in the field organization and has taken her to the International division, Kathie McWherter has been on the front line of the retailer's stunning growth during the past two...

Willingness, desire go a long way to getting job done.(People)
December 8, 2003... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- The world's largest retailer by a huge margin, Wal-Mart nevertheless tries to operate like the much smaller company it once was. Much of what defines the company today, in fact, has its roots in attitudes that were...