Mass Market Retailers articles from September 2008

Mass Market Retailers archives from September 2008

Promotion at target.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
September 8, 2008... PROMOTION AT TARGET: Target Corp. has promoted Michael Francis to the post of chief marketing officer in addition to his role as executive vice president of marketing. "Under Michael's leadership, Target has built one of the most recognizable...

Fresh & Easy expands.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... FRESH & EASY EXPANDS: Fresh & Easy Neighborhood market has opened its second store in the city of Orange, Calif. It is the grocer's eighth store in Orange County and the 73rd unit overall. At the grand opening ceremony three additional planned...

Kroger labor accord.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
September 8, 2008... KROGER LABOR ACCORD: Members of the United Food & Commercial Workers Union Local 1059 in Columbus, Ohio, have ratified a new labor agreement with Kroger Co. The labor deal covers 11,000 Kroger associates who work in 87 stores in and around...

Sweetbay's bargains.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
September 8, 2008... SWEETBAY'S BARGAINS: Sweetbay Supermarkets Inc. has underscored its low-price positioning with new "Everyday-Low Pricing" labels: "Sweet Deals" indicates items that hold prices from 10 to 17 weeks, while "Sweet Sale" signifies limited-time...

Latinos honor Hy-Vee.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
September 8, 2008... LATINOS HONOR HY-VEE: Hy-Vee Inc. received a 2008 Hispanic Excellence Award for its leadership in targeting the Latino population. The award was presented during the recent Hispanic Retail 360 summit held in Miami.

Stater Bros. face-lift.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
September 8, 2008... STATER BROS. FACE-LIFT: Stater Bros. Markets is celebrating a $1.3 million renovation and expansion of its full-service supermarket in Bloomington, Calif., with a four-week regrand opening that began August 20.

CVS to branch out.(SPOTLIGHT)
September 8, 2008... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- Borrowing a page from Shoppers Drug Mart and specialty beauty retailer Sephora, CVS Caremark Corp. will begin testing a prestige beauty outlet by the end of this year. Dubbed Beauty 360, the new concept will encompass...

Discounters show their relevance.
September 8, 2008... CHICAGO -- The current hard economic times have consumers looking for low prices, and that has been good news for the discount operators Dollar Tree Inc. and Big Lots Inc. Dollar Tree Inc., the nation's leading operator of...

Target will slow store expansion.
September 8, 2008... MINNEAPOLIS -- Target Corp. plans to cut back its store opening plans for 2009 in the face of an uncertain economy that has consumers focused on necessities rather than the trendy goods that have become the chain's trademark. Target, which...

Stop & Shop, Giant adopt new logos.
September 8, 2008... QUINCY, Mass. -- Ahold NV's Stop & Shop and Giant/Landover chains have been given updated logos as part of a program to refresh the look and boost the appeal of their stores. Ahold chief executive officer John Rishton called the moves "a...

Questions about CVS' purchase of Longs raised.(NEWS)
September 8, 2008... WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Although the board of Longs Drug Stores Corp. has advised its shareholders to accept the $2.5 billion ($2.9 billion including assumed debt) takeover offer from CVS Caremark Corp., questions about the value of the chain's...

'Telemedicine' clinic.(WAL-MART NEWS)
September 8, 2008... 'TELEMEDICINE' CLINIC: The first of six Walk-In Telemedicine Health Care Clinics scheduled to operate in Houston-area Wal-Mart stores has opened in the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Pearland, Texas. Jointly operated by NuPhysicia LLC and My Healthy...

Labor charge filed.(WAL-MART NEWS)
September 8, 2008... LABOR CHARGE FILED: WakeUpWalmart.com and labor groups American Rights at Work, Change to Win and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations have filed a complaint of unlawful federal election activity with the...

In-store media deal.(WAL-MART NEWS)
September 8, 2008... IN-STORE MEDIA DEAL: Thomson's Premier Retail Networks Inc. has reached an agreement with Wal-Mart de Mexico to operate its retail media network in most Wal-Mart Supercenters and Bodega Aurrera locations in Mexico.

Canadian union pact.(WAL-MART NEWS)
September 8, 2008... CANADIAN UNION PACT: Eight workers in the automotive department of a Wal-Mart Canada store in Gatineau, Quebec, have been granted a labor agreement, making them the only North American employees of Wal-Mart to be covered by a labor agreement....

Coughlin suit settled.(WAL-MART NEWS)
September 8, 2008... COUGHLIN SUIT SETTLED: Wal-Mart will pay former No. 2 executive Tom Coughlin $6.75 million as part of a lawsuit settlement that voids his retirement package worth an additional $17 million, according to a report filed by Wal-Mart with the...

Scoreboard.(MONEY NEWS)(Statistical table)
September 8, 2008... SCOREBOARD Quarter Dollar RETAILERS ended Sales %Change BJ's (1) 08/02 2.7 bil +17.6 Home Depot (2) 08/03 21.0 bil -5.4 Longs' (3) 07/31 ...

Discounters.(MONEY)
September 8, 2008... DISCOUNTERS Discounter Current Previous Close Close % 08/25/08 08/11/08 Change Bj's 37.61 42.15 -10.77 Costco 66.45 ...

Drug stores.(MONEY)
September 8, 2008... DRUG STORES Drug Store Current Previous Close Close % 08/25/08 08/11/08 Change Cardinal Health 55.16 54.10 +1.96 CVS 36.64 ...

Supermarkets.(MONEY)
September 8, 2008... SUPERMARKETS Current Previous Close Close % Supermarket 08/25/08 08/11/08 Change A&P 16.92 17.24 -1.86 Delhaize 62.16 ...

Wal-Mart is on a roll.(SPOTLIGHT)
September 8, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- With an ongoing resurgence at its core domestic division driving robust top-line growth, income from continuing operations at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 grew...

CVS posts 13.8% rise in profits.(MONEY)(Financial report)
September 8, 2008... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS CaremarkCorp, posted a double-digit increase in adjusted income from continuing operations as higher dispensing rates of generic drugs grew profits in both CVS' retail pharmacy and pharmacy services businesses. But Wall...

Rx services business makes modest gains.(MONEY)
September 8, 2008... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS Caremark Corp.'s pharmacy services segment registered moderate financial gains during the second quarter, hampered by the expiration of some large contracts. Operating profit for the pharmacy benefits management...

Cash dividend from Longs.(MONEY NEWS)
September 8, 2008... CASH DIVIDEND FROM LONGS: The board of directors of Longs Drug Stores has declared a quarterly cash dividend on common shares of 14 cents per share, payable on October 10 to stockholders of record at the close of business on August 26.

BJ's profit up, raises guidance.(MONEY NEWS)(Financial report)
September 8, 2008... BJ'S PROFIT UP, RAISES GUIDANCE: BJ's Warehouse Club Inc. reported a 0.5% increase in second quarter net income to $36.5 million, or 61 cents per share, on a net sales gain of nearly 18% to $2.65 billion. The average estimate among analysts...

Duckwall-Alco resumes stock repurchases.(MONEY NEWS)
September 8, 2008... DUCKWALL-ALCO RESUMES STOCK REPURCHASES: Duckwall-ALCO Stores Inc. has resumed a stock-repurchase program that was originally authorized on March 23, 2006. The authorization approved the purchase of 200,000 shares, of which only 3,337 were...

Family Dollar declares regular dividend.(MONEY NEWS)
September 8, 2008... FAMILY DOLLAR DECLARES REGULAR DIVIDEND: Family Dollar Stores Inc. has announced that its board of directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend on the company's common stock of 12.5 cents per share, payable October 15, to...

Target quarterly profit falls.(MONEY NEWS)(Financial report)
September 8, 2008... TARGET QUARTERLY PROFIT FALLS: Target Corp. had an 8% decline in net income for the second quarter to $634 million on a a 6% rise in retail sales to $14.97 billion. Earnings per share, however, increased to 82 cents from 80 cents thanks to...

Investment in U.S. units is beginning to pay off.(MONEY)
September 8, 2008... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. once again exceeded expectations as its flagship Wal-Mart Stores U.S. division continued an impressive recovery in the second quarter that saw operating profit grow faster than a robust sales gain. ...

Stater Bros. earnings plummet 41.2%.(MONEY)
September 8, 2008... SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -- With virtually all metrics trending negatively, Stater Bros. Holdings saw earnings tumble more than 40% for the 13 weeks ended June 29. Third quarter net income for the parent company of the 165-unit southern...

CEOs see the need to focus on basics.(OPINION)(Chief executive officers)(Survey)
September 8, 2008... Like everyone else, business leaders are in the process of learning how best to cope with the current economic downturn. Confronted with disarray in the credit markets, high energy prices and increasing inflationary pressure--to name just a few...

Retail regulators out of touch.(OPINION)
September 8, 2008... One of the frustrations U.S. retailing routinely confronts in its ongoing tussle with our country's legislative and regulatory bodies is a citizenry that neither understands, cares much nor feels any particular empathy for retailing. As such,...

Chains stand to benefit from FSAs.(OPINION)
September 8, 2008... COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- People whose health benefits include a flexible spending account (FSA) can be important customers for mass retailers, a new white paper suggests. "Flexible Spending Accounts: Maximizing Rewards at Retail," a...

Competitive balance.(SPOTLIGHT)
September 8, 2008... SYDNEY -- Australian grocery retailers are facing a raft of new measures aimed at improving price transparency and reducing barriers to entry for new players following a six month inquiry by the competition regulator. The Australian...

Wal-Mart to up ante in Brazil.(GLOBAL)
September 8, 2008... BRASILIA -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will open between 80 and 90 new stores in Brazil next year at an investment of $987 million to $1.11 billion--the retailer's largest investment there since entering the country 14 years ago. This year...

Seven & I Holdings launches discount grocery format.(GLOBAL)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... TOKYO -- Japan's largest retailer, Seven & I Holdings Co., has launched a discount grocery format in response to sluggish consumer spending. The first outlet opened in late August, soon after the nation's No. 2 retailer, Aeon Co., announced it...

British are big spenders on H&BAs.(GLOBAL)(health and beauty products )(Report)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... LONDON -- According to a new report from Verdict Research, the British spend more per capita on health and beauty products than any other European Union country. "The average U.K. consumer spends 375 euros ($557) a year on health and...

Asda boosts share.(GLOBAL NEWS)
September 8, 2008... ASDA BOOSTS SHARE: Britain's second-largest grocer, Asda PLC, recorded a 5.5% increase in second quarter comparable-store sales and gained market share as well. According to market researcher TNS, Asda added 0.6% to claim a 12.3% share of the...

Lianhua profit is up.(GLOBAL NEWS)(Financial report)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... LIANHUA PROFIT IS UP: Lianhua Supermarket Holdings Co. reported a 61.8% leap in net profit to 227 million yuan ($33.17 million) for the first half of 2008, as overall sales increased 19.8% to 10.74 billion yuan. The company, which operates...

Global outlook dim.(GLOBAL NEWS)
September 8, 2008... GLOBAL OUTLOOK DIM: Economists surveyed for the International Chamber of Commerce's (ICC) quarterly ICC/Ifo global climate index have offered their gloomiest outlook for the world economy since 2001. The index, which polls 1,025 economists in...

A new "green" store.(GLOBAL NEWS)(J Sainsbury PLC)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... A NEW "GREEN" STORE: J. Sainsbury has opened its first "green" supermarket in Dartmouth, Devon. The store, built from timber rather than steel, is heated by a biomass boiler that runs on wood chips and is expected to reduce energy bills by...

A 21st-century supply chain.(SPOTLIGHT)
September 8, 2008... DALLAS -- In 2004 Kimberly-Clark Corp. reviewed its entire supply chain strategy and infrastructure with the goal of better serving its retail customers. What began as an effort to bring the company's logistical capabilities into the 21st...

Airborne, FTC reach agreement.(SUPPLY SIDE)
September 8, 2008... BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. -- Airborne Inc. has settled its case with the Federal Trade Commission over the agency's charges of deceptive advertising. If the settlement is approved, Airborne will add $6.5 million to the $23.5 million the company...

Hard times don't hurt housewares.(SUPPLY SIDE)
September 8, 2008... ROSEMENT, Ill. -- The current economic climate that has many consumers tightening their belts is actually sparking growth in some housewares categories. According to the summer edition of Housewares MarketWatch, a publication of the...

Earth Care Products unveils nontoxic odor remover.(SUPPLY SIDE)
September 8, 2008... SAN DIEGO -- Earth Care Products of San Diego has introduced Clear the Air, a natural nontoxic odor-removal product designed specifically to eliminate such organic household odors as those associated with mildew, pets and aquariums. Clear...

Course to cover supplements.(SUPPLY SIDE)
September 8, 2008... LAS VEGAS -- Global Lifescience Solutions LLC will host a special training course on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for dietary supplements here on October 21 and 22 at the Venetian Sands Expo. The course, which will last from 10 a.m....

Tone redesigned.(SUPPLY SIDE NEWS)
September 8, 2008... TONE REDESIGNED: Dial Corp.'s Tone brand of body wash and bar soaps has introduced a new look and two product lines--Almond Milk and Coconut Milk. Formulated with real milk protein and vitamin A and E complex, the products come packaged in a...

Energizer battery.(SUPPLY SIDE NEWS)
September 8, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ENERGIZER BATTERY: Energizer Holdings Inc. has launched Energizer Advanced Lithium, which is a second lithium battery to its portable power line-up. It sells for a suggested $7.99 for a four-pack. Energizer Holdings...

Interactive books.(SUPPLY SIDE NEWS)
September 8, 2008... INTERACTIVE BOOKS: Publications International Ltd. has debuted Poingo, the next generation in interactive books for children. It enables youngsters ages 3 to 7 to touch pictures or text with the pen-shaped Poingo, which activates words, sounds...

'Iron Man' DVD release.(SUPPLY SIDE NEWS)(Video recording review)
September 8, 2008... 'IRON MAN' DVD RELEASE: Paramount Home Entertainment has announced plans to release Marvel Studios and Paramount Pictures' Iron Man on two- and single-disc DVD's as well as Blu-ray on September 30. The Ultimate Edition two-disc DVD set and the...

Competition keeps things new.(PERSONAL SOAPS)(Report)
September 8, 2008... NEW YORK -- While mainstream brands are firmly entrenched in the personal soaps segment, that has not stopped newer players from attempting to establish a presence. In many cases suppliers of both established and new brands have keyed in...

Body washes fuel incremental sales.(SUPPLY SIDE)
September 8, 2008... NEW YORK -- Manufacturers of liquid body washes have created a broad category of products that offer a rejuvenating experience for consumers. The strategy has been successful. According to TABS Group Inc. president Kurt Jetta, incremental...

Options varied in liquid soap.(SUPPLY SIDE)
September 8, 2008... NEW YORK -- Mainstream brands continue to dominate liquid hand soaps with specialized formulas. Consumers spent $315 million on liquid hand soaps in supermarkets, drug stores and discount stores, excluding Wal-Mart Stores Inc., during the...

Consumers respond to the truly natural.(SUPPLY SIDE)
September 8, 2008... NEW YORK -- While consumers have expressed an interest in natural ingredients in their soaps and body washes, many shoppers have been confused over precisely what constitutes an authentic natural product. This perception has impeded...

Sanitizers do the job on the go.(SUPPLY SIDE)
September 8, 2008... NEW YORK -- Even consumers who are scrupulous about personal hygiene do not always have access to soap and water. This is especially true during the school season, as parents look for ways to protect their children against germ-laden surfaces....

For many, prints are now optional.(SUPPLY SIDE)(Survey)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... NEW YORK -- More and more people are exchanging digital images, but fewer of those pictures are being printed. The Photo Marketing Association's 2008 U.S. Camera/Camcorder Digital Imaging Survey found that 43% of households received digital...

New strategy is taking shape.(CONSUMER IMAGING)
September 8, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- The retailers who will have the most success in the consumer imaging category will be those that think beyond traditional photos and get their customers to do so too. That is the view of suppliers...

Moms bullish on digital photos.(SUPPLY SIDE)(Report)
September 8, 2008... WEYMOUTH, Mass. -- Mothers are big drivers of digital photography, according to a recent study by the market research and consulting firm InfoTrends. Mothers with children under age 12 reported taking 35% more digital camera photos than...

Cameras retain their attraction.(SUPPLY SIDE)
September 8, 2008... NEW YORK -- Household penetration may be peaking for digital cameras, but sales continue to be healthy, according to the Photo Marketing Association (PMA). Part of what is driving new sales of digital cameras is the fact that many...

It's the best of times, worst of times for foot care sales.(FOOT CARE)
September 8, 2008... NEW YORK -- The foot care category is a bit schizophrenic these days, with diametrically opposite sales trends characterizing its two major segments. While foot care devices is experiencing double-digit top-line growth, medications continue to...

Devices benefit from self-care movement.(SUPPLY SIDE)
September 8, 2008... NEW YORK -- Foot care devices represent a thriving business, with all indications suggesting that more growth lies ahead. The main sales driver has been Americans' readiness to resort to self-care for their foot problems, relying on...

Myriad factors play role in shaping direction of category.(SUPPLY SIDE)
September 8, 2008... NEW YORK -- The foot care field is a complex one that encompasses both health and beauty concerns. That complexity has both created opportunities for and spurred creativity among suppliers. The normal wear and tear on feet is enough to...

MMR/IRI H&BA category performance study.(health and beauty aids)(Statistical table)(Report)
September 8, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In this section, MMR presents a detailed look at 14 major health and beauty aids categories. In this performance review data provided includes recent syndicated point-of-sales figures as well as consumer panel data...

HP's digital imaging visionary.(SPOTLIGHT)
September 8, 2008... PALO ALTO, Calif. -- Rohit de Souza's career has been based on helping companies navigate big transitions in their businesses. At Intel Corp. he helped as the company transformed the production of semiconductors from a "black art" into a...

Sears adds Trieb, Reed to management team.(PEOPLE)
September 8, 2008... HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. has tapped Guenther Trieb to serve as senior vice president and president of its Kenmore, Craftsman and Die-Hard brands. Trieb comes to Sears Holdings after a 24-year career with Procter &...

Robertson is joining Sean John.(PEOPLE)
September 8, 2008... NEW YORK -- Sean John, one of the world's fastest-growing men's clothing lines, has tapped Dawn Robertson to serve as its new president. Robertson most recently served as president of Old Navy. She was previously managing director of...

Family Dollar promotes McCaffety.(PEOPLE)
September 8, 2008... MATTHEWS, N.C. -- Family Dollar Stores Inc. has named Lonnie McCaffety vice president of store operations. McCaffety will report to Barry Sullivan, executive vice president of store operations. "McCaffety's superior leadership and...

Changes at Kohl's.(PEOPLE NEWS)
September 8, 2008... CHANGES AT KOHL'S: Kohl's Corp. has named Kevin Mansell president and chief executive officer. He continues to serve on the board of directors. Mansell succeeds Larry Montgomery, who is to remain chairman of the board and will hold full-time...

Two new hires at Edo.(PEOPLE NEWS)
September 8, 2008... TWO NEW HIRES AT EDO: Edo Interactive has appointed Meaghan Schaefer chief marketing officer and Alex Gershman vice president of product development. "Meaghan and Alex will bring a new perspective and level of expertise to edo Interactive,"...

MediZine expands.(PEOPLE NEWS)
September 8, 2008... MEDIZINE EXPANDS: MediZine LLC has appointed Bob Uecker to the newly created position of executive vice president of business development retail marketing. Lee Rudibaugh, vice president of retail marketing, is to continue in his retail...

Vestcom marketing.(PEOPLE NEWS)
September 8, 2008... VESTCOM MARKETING: Vestcom International Inc. has appointed Jeff Weidauer to the position of vice president of marketing.

Springs additions.(PEOPLE NEWS)
September 8, 2008... SPRINGS ADDITIONS: Springs Creative Products Group LLC has named Teri Thorn senior account manager. In this capacity Thom's responsibilities include sales and product development for various companies including Target.

Vertis senior VP.(PEOPLE NEWS)
September 8, 2008... VERTIS SENIOR VP: Vertis Communications has named Jerry Cacciatore senior vice president of premedia operations. He was formerly with Quebecor World Premedia.

Duckwall-ALCO appoints Beaith.(PEOPLE)
September 8, 2008... ABILENE, Kan. -- Duckwall-ALCO Stores Inc. has named Ted Beaith senior vice president and chief information officer. Beaith comes to Duckwall-ALCO with more than 20 years of information technology experience, including posts with such...

'Target field' scores.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
September 22, 2008... 'TARGET FIELD' SCORES: Target Corp. has won naming rights to the Minnesota Twins' new baseball stadium. The ballpark, which is scheduled to open in 2010, will be named Target Field, according to an agreement in principle reached by the retailer...

Fresh & easy brands.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
September 22, 2008... FRESH & EASY BRANDS: Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market has announced plans to introduce over 200 new own-brand products in its stores by the end of this year. Store brand products now account for more than 70% of sales.

Sears credit squeeze.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
September 22, 2008... SEARS CREDIT SQUEEZE: Sears Holdings Corp. has renewed a $5 million line of credit with Bank of America after the bank informed the retailer that it would not renew a $1 billion credit agreement under existing terms. In April the bank told...

Online Grocer launch.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
September 22, 2008... ONLINE GROCER LAUNCH: Meijer Inc. has launched Grocer Express, an online shopping service: The program, which began this month, is exclusive to the Knapp's Corner Meijer store in Grand Rapids, Mich. Shoppers can select grocery and health and...

Safeway opens in D.C.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
September 22, 2008... SAFEWAY OPENS IN D.C.: Safeway Inc. has opened a 58,000-square-foot store in downtown Washington, D.C. It is the 17th Safeway supermarket in the district and the first store the company has opened there in 11 years.

Winn-Dixie promotion.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
September 22, 2008... WINN-DIXIE PROMOTION: Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. has extended its Good 'Til program, which offers customers reduced pricing over 1,000 products through October 8.

Walgreens gets into the act.(SPOTLIGHT)
September 22, 2008... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Heating up its rivalry with CVS Caremark Corp., Walgreen Co. has jumped into the bidding for Longs Drug Stores, topping its Rhode Island-based competitor's offer by $3.50 a share. Walgreens' surprise $2.8 billion offer came...

Target Bodegas pop up in NYC.
September 22, 2008... NEW YORK -- Target Corp. opened four "pop up" stores in Manhattan earlier this month, selling fall merchandise by its 22 designers. Fashions and accessories by three of the designers--Sigerson Morrison, Jonathan Saunders and Anya...

SDM hones new format for beauty.(Shoppers Drug Mart Corp.)(Brief article)
September 22, 2008... TORONTO -- Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. (SDM) is poised to reveal an innovative new beauty concept store. Murale will be a beauty destination for those seeking unparalleled service and access to the world's best beauty brands, said Jurgen...

Retail sales lose steam in August.
September 22, 2008... NEW YORK -- With unemployment on the rise and consumers continuing to tighten their belts, retail sales weakened in August, although discounters fared better on the whole than the rest of the industry. Analysts are divided about the outlook for...