Mass Market Retailers articles from October 2003

Mass Market Retailers archives from October 2003

CPG sales up in 2002.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... CPG SALES UP IN 2002: Despite a sluggish economy, the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry generated a 4.6% rise in median net sales last year, while return on sales (8.1%) and return on assets (10.6%) achieved the highest levels in five...

Pathmark director.(Industry News)
October 6, 2003... PATHMARK DIRECTOR: James Moody, who was chief executive officer of Hannaford Bros. from 1973 to 1992 and chairman from 1984 to 1997, has been named to the board of directors of Pathmark Stores Inc. His appointment expands the size of the board...

Ingles card debuts.(Industry News)(savings and rewards card entitles its customers to a variety of discounts and giveaways)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... INGLES CARD DEBUTS: Ingles Markets Inc. has introduced the Ingles Advantage Savings and Rewards Card, which entitles its customers to a variety of discounts and giveaways. Shoppers also have the option of supporting schools of their choice...

Internet sales tax.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... INTERNET SALES TAX: Legislation has been introduced in Congress that would require Internet and mail-order retailers to collect sales tax from both in-state and out-of-state customers. The new bill, the Simplified Sales and Use Tax Act of 2003,...

Sears grand format set to go.(News)(debuts the first store in a new format designed to complement its mall-based full-line stores )
October 6, 2003... WESTJORDAN, Utah -- Sears, Roebuck and Co. will debut the first store in a new format designed to complement its mall-based full-line stores when it opens the doors at an outlet here later this week. A second of these new units--called...

The downside of being no. 1.(Spotlight)(Walmat faces employment discrimination suit)
October 6, 2003... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which has gotten so big that its weekly sales are seen as a key indicator for the overall economy, has also become a big target. The retailer faces a sex discrimination lawsuit that could become...

Specter of retail deflation looms.(Apparel and home furnishing prices continue to decline)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... CHICAGO -- Apparel and home furnishing prices al retail continue to case, according to a new study by Ernst & Young LLP. The firm's "Quarterly Market Basket" report showed that apparel recorded a negative growth rate of 2.1% in 2003,...

Wal-Mart grows.(plans to open 315 stores domestically and 130 to 140 internationally)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has announced that it plans to open as many as 315 stores domestically and from 130 to 140 internationally in fiscal 2005 beginning February 1, 2004. According to the company, domestic expansion...

Smart & Final names COO, president.(News)
October 6, 2003... COMMERCE, Calif. -- International food retailing veteran Etienne Snollaerts has been named president and chief operating officer of Smart & Final Inc. Snollaerts' appointment comes on the heels of the company's repositioning to focus on...

IMRA details future initiatives.(News)
October 6, 2003... ORLANDO, Fla. -- The International Mass Retail Association (IMRA) is pursuing several initiatives that reflect member concerns and the changes taking place in retailing today, according to organization president Sandra Kennedy. Kennedy...

Correction.(Brief Article)(Correction Notice)
October 6, 2003... An article in the August 25 issue of MMR on nutrition bars incorrectly identified the marketer and distributor of CarboRite crispy nutrition bars. The correct company is Carbolite Foods Inc.

Biggest gainers.(Money)(stock value change for selected retail store chains)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... BIGGEST GAINERS Close Change % Stock 9/19/03 vs.09/05/03 Change drugstore.com 8.48 +2.36 +38.6 Value City 4.05 +1.04 +34.6 Smart & Final ...

Biggest losers.(Money)(stock price change for selected retail chain stores)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... BIGGEST LOSERS Close Change % Stock 9/19/03 vs.09/05/03 Change Kmart 27.25 -2.80 -9.3 Nash Finch 15.83 -1.43 -8.3 Albertsons 21.12...

Most active.(Money)(retail store trading data)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... MOST ACTIVE Vol (000) As a % Change vs. 1 Wk. Ended of Total 1 Wk. Ended Stock 09/19/2003 Shares 09/05/2003 Delhaize 254 0.3 +330.1...

Scoreboard.(Money News)(third quarter 2002 sales figures for selected grocery and drug store chains)
October 6, 2003... SCOREBOARD Quarter Dollar % RETAILERS Ended Sales Change Foodarama 08/02 271.3 mil +12.0 Kroger (1) 08/16 12.4 bit +3.5 Rite Aid (2) 08/30 4.05bil +4.9...

Wal-Mart board declares quarterly dividend.(Money News)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... WAL-MART BOARD DECLARES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND: The board of directors of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has declared a quarterly cash dividend on the company's common stock of 9 cents per share, payable October 14 to shareholders of record on October 6,...

S&P downgrades Winn-Dixie's credit rating.(Money News)(Standard and Poor )(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... S&P DOWNGRADES WINN-DIXIE'S CREDIT RATING: Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has lowered its evaluation of the corporate credit of Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. to "BB" and removed the company from CreditWatch with a negative outlook. "The downgrade...

J.C. Penney announces quarterly dividend.(Money News)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... J.C. PENNEY ANNOUNCES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND: The board of directors of J.C. Penney Co. has declared a quarterly dividend of 12.5 cents per share on its outstanding common Stock, payable November 1 to stockholders of record at the close of business...

Pathmark completes placement of notes.(Money News)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... PATHMARK COMPLETES PLACEMENT OF NOTES: Pathmark Stores Inc. has completed the private placement of $100 million in aggregate principal of its 8.75% senior subordinated notes due in 2012 at a price equal to 102.5% of the principal amount. The...

Retail recovery slow in arriving.(Spotlight)
October 6, 2003... ORLANDO, Fla. -- Even though the stock market has performed well so far this year, the country's retailers should not expect a near-term renewal of strong economic growth. That viewpoint was shared by most panelists who participated in a...

Net profits off 27.9% at Kroger.(Money)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... CINCINNATT -- Expanding operating costs and unexpected energy-related items combined to produce a double-digit drop in earnings during Kroger Co.'s second fiscal quarter. Management consequently revised its year-end earnings forecast...

Dollar Tree records double-digit gains.(Money)
October 6, 2003... CHESAPEAKE, Va. -- Dollar Tree Stores Inc. posted double-digit increases in sales and earnings for the quarter and half ended August 2. The operator of single-price-point dollar stores saw net income grow 17% to $28.8 million on a 22.2%...

Real estate sale lifts Pathmark.(Money)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... CARTERET, N.J. -- Propelled by a gain on the sale of real estate, Pathmark Stores Inc. saw second quarter net income climb 77.1%. Backing out onetime items, however, profits fell sharply. The company recorded net income of $6.2 million for...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.(Opinion)
October 6, 2003... The outlook for retailers is improving, gradually. The most recent monthly retail sector performance index from the National Retail Federation (NRF) and the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi Ltd. (BTM) was up 11.6 percentage points from the prior...

Stop & Shop pushes envelope.(Opinion)(shopping buddy touch screen system)
October 6, 2003... Anyone interested in glimpsing the future of food retailing in America needs to go to Quincy, Mass., a suburban community just south of Boston. There, a Stop & Shop supermarket is testing "shopping buddy," a wireless technology-based...

Globalization has inherent pitfalls.(Opinion)
October 6, 2003... Retailers can tap new growth opportunities by expanding into other countries. But many should be careful or those gains will come at a price, according to a study by KPMG International. The firm looked at 130 publicly traded retailers with...

Chain in Japan eyes U.S.(Global News)(FamilyMart Co)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... CHAIN IN JAPAN EYES U.S.: FamilyMart Co., Japan's No. 3 convenience store chain, announced plans to open stores in the United States by 2006. The company would open up to 200 franchised stores each in several large cities, including Los Angeles...

Sainsbury director.(Global News)(Jean-Paul Barat)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... SAINSBURY DIRECTOR: J. Sainsbury PLC has appointed Jean-Paul Barat director of product development. He is due to join the company in mid-November from Selfridges, where he serves as general manager for food and retail.

Wal-Mart in Shanghai.(Global News)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... WAL-MART IN SHANGHAI: Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has broken ground on the site of its first outlet in Shanghai. The store, a Supercenter, will be located in the Laoximen area of the city's downtown Huangpu district.

Lidl going to Sweden.(Global News)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... LIDL GOING TO SWEDEN: The Lidl discount chain, part of the German Schwarz-Gruppe, has made an eye-catching debut in Sweden, opening 11 stores in one day. Sweden is the chain's 14th foreign market and its second in Scandinavia. Lidl opened in...

Trimmed operations.(Global News)(Smart and Final Inc. sells some operations)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... TRIMMED OPERATIONS: French supermarket operator Casino Guichard Perrachon SA reported that its Smart and Final Inc. unit, based in Stockton, Calif., has reaped $59 million from the sale of food service operations in California and Florida....

Discount fuel at IGA.(IGA Supermarkets)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... DISCOUNT FUEL AT IGA: IGA Supermarkets, a chain of independent grocers in Australia, has become the latest supermarket group to launch a plan offering customers discounted gasoline. The plan differs from those of its rivals because IGA is...

Coles Myer profits rise 21%; other improvements made.(Global)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... MELBOURNE -- Australian retailer Coles Myer Ltd. reported a 21% increase in net profit for the year, to $429.5 million (about $291.2 million U.S.). Company officials say the results reflect a strategy that is "on track." "What a difference...

Moberg's package is cut back.(Global)(Ahold NV president and chief executive officer Anders Moberg)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... ZAANDAM, the Netherlands -- Ahold NV president and chief executive officer Anders Moberg has modified his compensation package, hoping to end the public outcry about it. "I understand that my current severance benefits and my guar anteed...

Asda on fast track.(Spotlight)
October 6, 2003... ORLANDO, Fla. -- The ongoing expansion of its general merchandise assortments and efforts to increase selling space in established stores are paying off for Asda PLC, according to Richard Hodgson, trading director for the United Kingdom's...

Tesco sales, earnings jump in half.(Global)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... CHESHUNT, England -- Tesco PLC, Britain's No. 1 supermarket chain, has announced a big jump in sales and profits for the first half of the year. The chain reports that pretax pro fits were up 17.4% to 628 million [pounds sterling] ($1...

Hudson's Bay has plan.(Global)(intends to launch an "opportunity buy" program)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... TORONTO -- Hudson's Bay Co. has unveiled a strategic plan meant to increase sales from $7.5 billion (about $5.6 billion U.S.) to day to $9 billion (about $6.7 billion U.S.) in 2008. The company, which operates department stores as well as...

Morrison bid for Safeway gets boost.(Global)(British government has blocked the nation's top three supermarket chains from acquiring the No. 4 chain)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... LONDON -- The British government has blocked the nation's top three supermarket chains from acquiring the No. 4 chain, clearing the way for William Morrison Supermarkets PLC to acquire Safeway PLC. Trade and Industry Minister Patricia...

Is George Wal-Mart's next 'major success?'.(Global)
October 6, 2003... LEEDS, England -- Asda PLC, Wal-Mart's 259-store United Kingdom-based food and general merchandise operation, opened its first freestanding George apparel and fashion accessories store here last month, the first of three that the retailer...

Photoprocessing market share by outlet.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... Photoprocessing Market Share by Outlet Volume Basis Market Share 12 months ended 12 months ended July 2002 July 2003 Supermarket 11.7% 11.3%...

Taro Pharmaceuticals introduces ElixSure.(Merchandising News)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... TARO PHARMACEUTICALS INTRODUCES ELIXSURE: Taro Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. has launched ElixSure, a line of spill-resistant single-symptom children's medications available in the following 4-ounce formulations: a fever/pain formulation with...

Care Bears zoothbrush and zoothpaste.(Merchandising News)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... CARE BEARS ZOOTHBRUSH AND ZOOTHPASTE: Zooth Inc. has announced plans to introduce Care Bears to its children's oral care product line. The line includes a variety of sculpted manual toothbrushes and a berry bubble flavor toothpaste available in...

Nexpak rental case system for DVD security.(Merchandising News)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... NEXPAK RENTAL CASE SYSTEM FOR DVD SECURITY: Nexpak has introduced the Amaray II rental system, offering advanced security and protection of DVDs for rental applications. The enhanced case design and magnetic locking clips offer superior...

Revlon Professional cream-gel hair color.(Merchandising News)
October 6, 2003... REVLON PROFESSIONAL CREAM-GEL HAIR COLOR: Colomer USA has introduced its Revlon Professional Realistic cream-gel hair color line. Available in 20 shades including ash, browns and burgundy, the hair color is formulated for external protection to...

Valentine's Day treats from just born.(Merchandising News)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... VALENTINE'S DAY TREATS FROM JUST BORN: Just Born Inc. has announced plans to introduce candy card packaging especially for Valentine's Day on three of its brands hot tamales, zours, and Mike & Ike. Another brand, marshmallow peeps, offers peeps...

Pfizer cinnamon Listerine Pocketpaks.(Merchandising News)
October 6, 2003... PFIZER CINNAMON LISTERINE POCKETPAKS: Pfizer Consumer Healthcare has expanded its Listerine Pocketpaks line to include cinnamon flavor. Like the other flavors cool mint and Fresh Burst the cinnamon pocketpaks dissolve immediately and are sugar-...

The shopping buddy.(Spotlight)(Stop & Shop introduces computer-based shopping system to simply and personal experience)
October 6, 2003... QUINCY, Mass. -- A groundbreaking, technology-powered food-shopping revolution is gathering momentum in the suburbs of Boston, an advance, powered by a cart-based wireless shopping aide, that is irrevocably transforming the supermarket...

ACNielsen finds PL sales surge.(private label brands experience growth)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... SCHAUMBURG, Ill. -- Sales of private label consumer packaged goods are growing much faster in this country than branded products, according to an ACNielsen report titled "U.S. Trends in Private Label." "Manufacturers are driving sales...

Albertsons grows web operations.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... BOISE, Idaho -- Albertsons Inc. has extended its on-line grocery operation, albertsons.com, to residents in this area--making it the eighth metropolitan area where the company's service is offered. "Albertsons was the first national...

Symposium eyes ethnic beauty care.(L'Oreal Institute for Ethnic Hair sponsors session on hair and skin care)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... CHICAGO -- The L'Oreal Institute for Ethnic Hair and Skin Re search sponsored a three-day symposium here, September t9 through September 21, that featured sessions on product development, safety and efficacy. Titled "Ethnic Hair and Skin...

Ten beauty line for dollar stores.(Merchandising)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... VANCOUVER -- Ten Beauty, a company that features the creative team behind the Caboodles Cosmetics teen brand, is launching a color cosmetics line for the dollar store trade class. The line, scheduled for launch in February, features 210...

Change, consistency mark family dollar. (Special report: Family Dollar[R] mastering the small box.(Company Profile)
October 6, 2003... MATTHEWS, N.C. -- One of the fastest-growing retailers in the country, Family Dollar Stores Inc., has compiled an enviable record of achievement over the past four decades. More impressive still are the steps it is taking to secure even greater...

A format whose time has come.(Special report: Family Dollar[R] mastering the small box)
October 6, 2003... NEW YORK -- The Dollar Store has arrived. Once a retail format that competitors and suppliers preferred not to acknowledge, the impact of the trade class on the industry and on consumers is now universally acknowledged. Strictly...

A strategy and formula that benefit the customer.(Special report: Family Dollar[R] mastering the small box)(Industry Overview)
October 6, 2003... MATTHEWS, N.C. -- As recently as three years ago extreme-value retailers were drawing scant attention, despite the fact that several chains, including Family Dollar, were enjoying remarkable growth and success. That is no longer the case....

Another generation takes over the helm.(Special report: Family Dollar[R] mastering the small box)
October 6, 2003... MATTHEWS, N.C. -- The start of 2003 marked a special turning point in the history of Family Dollar. The company's founder, Leon Levine, stepped down as chairman, ending 43 years of management involvement with the company he established. ...

Supply chain runs at high efficiency.(Special report: Family Dollar[R] mastering the small box)(Company Profile)
October 6, 2003... MATTHEWS, N.C. -- Like another well-known retailer based in the South, Family Dollar has anchored its swift expansion on a world-class distribution and logistics network. "We recognized a number of years ago that in order to offer low...

Cross docking part of unique approach.(Special report: Family Dollar[R] mastering the small box)
October 6, 2003... FRONT ROYAL, Va. -- While Family Dollar executives take pride in their technologically advanced distribution centers, what really sets them apart is the way they are used, says president and chief operating officer David Alexander. The...

Prices are low but the quality's there.(Special report: Family Dollar[R] mastering the small box)(Company Profile)
October 6, 2003... MATTHEWS, N.C. -- Quality is the major focus in merchandising at Family Dollar these days. And, in fact, it extends beyond product quality to encompass the entire shopping experience, including the store environment and customer service. "This...

'Come for a job, stay for a career'.(Special report: Family Dollar[R] mastering the small box)
October 6, 2003... MATTHEWS, N.C. -- Finding, hiring and retaining talented employees is a challenge for all retailers, and it actually grows more formidable as a company achieves success and revs up growth. That fact prompted Family Dollar's management two years...

The right people make everything go.(Special report: Family Dollar[R] mastering the small box)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... MATTHEWS, N.C. -- As Family Dollar continues its rapid growth a key challenge facing the company is attracting and keeping talented and dedicated people, especially at the store manager position. "Building infrastructure first is key, but...

Demographic trends promise growth for dollar stores.(Special report: Family Dollar[R] mastering the small box)(Industry Overview)
October 6, 2003... NEW YORK -- Historically, dollar store formats have developed primarily to serve low-and middle-income consumers. And although a number of research organizations have pointed out the growing appeal of the trade class to more affluent shoppers,...

Family Dollar winning streak gets attention.(Special report: Family Dollar[R] mastering the small box)
October 6, 2003... MATTHEWS, N.C. -- Consistency and change were the twin themes of Family Dollar's fiscal 2002 annual report, and those characteristics exemplify the company's financial performance. While fourth quarter and yearend results were not available...

Opportunity abounds here and abroad.(Special report: Family Dollar[R] mastering the small box)(Company Profile)
October 6, 2003... MATTHEWS, N.C. -- It is obvious that the future holds further growth for Family Dollar--growth in stores, in sales and profits. The question is how much. The company still has enormous expansion potential in this country, including many of...

Revlon tabs exec vp.(People News)(Stephanie Klein-Peponis )(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... REVLON TABS EXEC VP: Revlon Inc. has named Stephanie Klein-Peponis executive vice president and chief marketing officer to replace Debra Leipman-Yale, who is leaving the company following a brief transition period. Previously Klein-Peponis had...

Blistex appointment.(People News)(Brian Satre as vice president of marketing)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... BLISTEX APPOINTMENT: Blistex Inc. has appointed Brian Satre vice president of marketing. He succeeds Michael Donnantuono, who was recently promoted to president after heading marketing at the company since 1994. Satre was promoted from his...

DemandTec names vp.(People News)(Joel Weingarten and David Markwell)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... DEMANDTEC NAMES VP: DemandTec Inc. has appointed Joel Weingarten vice president of its products and marketing organizations. In addition, David Markwell, who is based in London, has been named director of business development for Europe, the...

Marc Anthony posts.(People News)(Allen Vas Nunes and John Cunningham)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... MARC ANTHONY POSTS: Mare Anthony Cosmetics Inc. has named Allen Vas Nunes director of sales USA. He has over 15 years of experience in the hair care arena. In addition, the company recently appointed John Cunningham director of sales, Canada...

Kohl's exec vp leaves.(People News)(Beryl Buley)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... KOHL'S EXEC VP LEAVES: Kohl's Corp. has announced the resignation of Beryl Buley, executive vice president/ director of stores. On an interim basis the store operations group is to report to chairman and chief executive officer Larry...

NACDS' voice on Capitol Hill.(Spotlight)
October 6, 2003... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Congress has a lot to do this session, but Lee Verstandig describes himself as "more optimistic than some" that a Medicare drug benefit is still in the cards. More important from Verstandig's perspective: If such a bill...

Koepple signs on as sr. vp at Markwins.(People)(Jim Koepple)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. -- Markwins Beauty Products Inc. has hired Jim Koepple to serve as senior rice president and general manager of the new division that manages the beauty brands Wet 'n' Wild, Black Radiance, Tropez and Artmatic. ...

Dollar general appoints Guion exec vp, store operations.(People)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. -- Dollar General Corp. has named Kathleen Guion executive vice president of store operations. Guion was most recently president and chief executive officer of Duke and Long Distributing Co., a convenience store...

Office depot.(People)(Mark Holifield and Cynthia Campbell)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... DELRAY BEACH, Fla. -- Office Depot Inc. has announced senior management changes designed to consolidate responsibility for key functions. One more was the creation of a new position--president for North America--which a search film has...

Vergamini division vp at ShopKo.(People)(Susan Vergamini)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2003... GREEN BAY, Wis. -- ShopKo Stores Inc. has named Susan Vergamini divisional rice president of ladies' apparel for its 141-unit ShopKo discount chain. Vergamini joined ShopKo in 1994 as a senior buyer of ladies' apparel and was promoted to...

Albertsons ratings.(Industry News)(Moody's Investors Service lowers long-term debt ratings on Albertsons Inc. )(Brief Article)
October 20, 2003... ALBERTSONS RATINGS: Moody's Investors Service has lowered its long-term debt ratings on Albertsons Inc., saying the grocer's efforts to build sales and market share may not yield significant results soon. Moody's has downgraded Albertsons'...

Sasser tabbed CEO.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
October 20, 2003... SASSER TABBED CEO: Dollar Tree Stores Inc. president and chief operating officer Bob Sasser will become the company's president and chief executive officer on January 1. The 51-year-old Sasser has been with Dollar Tree since 1999.

Walgreens CFO adieu.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
October 20, 2003... WALGREENS CFO ADIEU: Walgreen Co. senior vice president and chief financial officer Roger Polark will end a 26-year career with the drug store chain when he retires on January 14. He will be replaced by divisional vice president of accounting...

New dollar generals.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
October 20, 2003... NEW DOLLAR GENERALS: Dollar General Corp. opened 78 stores during the five weeks ended October 3, bringing its store base to 6,580. The new units are in 25 states in the South, Midwest and East, including 11 in Georgia, seven in Louisiana, five...

Onstead has tough job at Safeway.(Safeway Inc. hires grocery store veteran Randall Onstead to get Dominick's Finer Foods in shape for sale)(Brief Article)
October 20, 2003... PLEASANTON, Calif. -- As it continues to try to find a buyer for its Dominick's Finer Foods Inc. chain, Safeway Inc. has hired grocery store veteran Randall Onstead to get Dominick's in shape. Onstead is the former chief executive officer...

Sept. sales a pleasant surprise.(Retail trade )
October 20, 2003... NEW YORK -- Retail sales in the United States scored impressive gains in September. The sector turned in its biggest monthly increase since March 2002, according to the Rank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi Ltd. (BTM). Based on its tally of 59 retail...

Wal-Mart growth.(Brief Article)
October 20, 2003... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Executives at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. say the company's store base will continue to grow at a good pace in coming years, with the Supercenter remaining at the heart of that growth. Speaking to retail analysts late last...

Tarqet zeros in on NY.(Spotlight)
October 20, 2003... WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- As part of its ongoing penetration of the New York metropolitan area, Target Stores has debuted in upscale Westchester County. The 152,000-square-foot unit in a downtown multiuse complex here reflects Target's...

Value City adopts new structure.(News)(Value City Department Stores Inc. has become wholly owned subsidiary of new holding company, Retail Ventures Inc)(Brief Article)
October 20, 2003... COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Value City Department Stores Inc., which operates 272 retail stores in 29 states, has become a wholly owned subsidiary of a new holding company, Retail Ventures Inc. As a result of the new structure, the stock of Value...

Roundy's buys 7 Kohl's stores.(News)(Roundy's Inc. buys seven former Kohl's Food Stores in Milwaukee area from A&P )(Brief Article)
October 20, 2003... MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Roundy's Inc. has purchased seven former Kohl's Food Stores in the Milwaukee area from A&P following Jewel Food Stores dropping out of the bidding during the summer. Roundy's will convert the Kohl's stores to Pick 'n...

Strike hits Calif. supers.(News)(Brief Article)
October 20, 2003... LOS ANGELES -- Health care costs remain at the center of a bitter labor dispute which culminated in a strike this month by 70,000 grocery clerks against more than 850 supermarkets owned by Kroger Co., Safeway Inc. and Albertsons in the southern...