http://www.retailnet.com/The latest Retail Industry headlines from Retailnet.com, a subsidiary of Lebhar-Friedman, Inc. *Updated Daily*en-usWed, 16 May 2012 17:30:00 EDTWed, 16 May 2012 17:30:00 EDTLF WebSolutions CMSwebmaster@retailnet.comwebmaster@retailnet.comhttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41804Fred's Inc. will close 75 stores this year as part of a new cost-cutting campaign aimed at increasing the chain's annual operating margin by 4.5%. The company said 75 under-performing locations, representing more than 10% of the chain, will be shuttered. However, the retailer plans to open 18 sFri, 08 Feb 2008 17:17:06 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41804http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41801Diedrich Coffee, Inc. announced that Stephen V. Coffey has tendered his resignation from his position as CEO. J. Russell Phillips has been appointed by the board of directors to assume the CEO position. Phillips has served on the company's board of directors since April 2007, and will remain asFri, 08 Feb 2008 17:16:29 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41801http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41799Walgreens promoted Steven Lubin to divisional VP and the new position of general manager of marketing for non-mainland operations. Lubin will be responsible for the marketing needs of customers in Puerto Rico and Hawaii. Lubin joined the company in 1970 as a stock clerk in Chicago, and has riseFri, 08 Feb 2008 17:16:06 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41799http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41798Tweeter Home Entertainment Group Inc. said it needs more time to analyze claims and assess its financial condition before developing a Chapter 11 plan to divvy up proceeds from its sale to a New York hedge fund. In light of the "recent" sale closing and the significant claims that are unresolveFri, 08 Feb 2008 17:15:55 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41798http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41797St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay said Thursday that Macy's Inc.'s decision to lay off 850 employees here would not slow the city's progress in reviving its downtown economy. "It all has to be put into context," Slay said during a news conference. With a base of 90,000 jobs downtown, the city won'tFri, 08 Feb 2008 17:15:44 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41797http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41795Panera Bread Friday announced a new agreement with Covelli Enterprises, dba Flapan, LLC, to develop locations in the Florida counties of Palm Beach and Broward. Under the conditions of the new agreement, the franchisee will open 10 new Panera bakery-cafes.In a separate agreement, Flapan, LLC acFri, 08 Feb 2008 17:15:23 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41795http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41794The Bon-Ton Stores has announced a number of executive changes, including the retirement of John Gleason, senior VP of corporate credit, and Colleen Golomski, senior VP of corporate credit. The executives will retire on Feb. 16 and March 1, respectively. The company also announced that Todd DisFri, 08 Feb 2008 17:15:15 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41794http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41793With few exceptions, the nation's retailers got off to a poor start in 2008, with many leading merchants, including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., reporting January results that were even worse than already grim Wall Street forecasts. The disappointing sales figures made it clear that consumers wrestliThu, 07 Feb 2008 17:17:16 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41793http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41789Limited Brands, Inc. on Wednesday announced the appointment of Martin Waters as executive VP, international.Waters joins Limited Brands from his position as managing director and North American CEO for Boots Retail International, the United Kingdom's leading health and beauty retailer. At BootsThu, 07 Feb 2008 17:16:44 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41789http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41788Finlay Enterprises Inc., which operates Bailey Banks & Biddle and other jewelry stores, said Thursday 94 of its 316 locations in Macy's Inc. will close as the department store operator consolidates.Macy's on Wednesday said it will consolidate regional headquarters and that its Minneapolis,Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:16:33 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41788http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41787Gymboree Corp. said Thursday that same-store sales rose 10% in the fiscal fourth quarter.Total sales for the quarter ended Feb. 2 rose 16% to $275.5 million from $238.5 million a year ago.For the first quarter and full fiscal year 2008, Gymboree plans for low single-digit comparable storesThu, 07 Feb 2008 17:16:23 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41787http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41786DSW Inc. said Thursday its fiscal fourth-quarter same-store sales fell 1.7%, and total sales were slightly below Wall Street's expectations. DSW's total sales climbed 1% to $332.5 million from $329.1 million. Analysts, on average, were expecting sales of $337.8 million, according to a pollThu, 07 Feb 2008 17:16:13 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41786http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41785Big Lots Inc. said Thursday that same-store sales fell 0.6% in the fourth quarter, hurt by weak sales of toys and home furnishings. Total sales for the fiscal quarter ended Feb. 2 fell 9% to $1.4 billion, from $1.53 billion last year. Food and seasonal merchandise sold the best, while toysThu, 07 Feb 2008 17:16:03 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41785http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41784Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will open its first in-store medical clinics under its own brand name after leasing space in dozens of stores to outside companies that operate the quick-service health stops.The retailer said Thursday it will open "The Clinic at Wal-Mart" as a joint venture with local hospThu, 07 Feb 2008 17:15:50 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41784http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41783For the latest blog entry, “Larry David and Me and Checkout Lines,” click on the RetailView banner on the homepage.Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:15:39 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41783http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41782Ezra Dabah, the former CEO of Children's Place Retail Stores Inc., said on Thursday he was confident he could make a bid to buy the company for $24 a share, sending its shares up 18% in pre-market trading. Dabah said he had received interest from private equity firm Golden Gate Capital to be aThu, 07 Feb 2008 17:15:27 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41782http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41781New York & Co. said Thursday that same-store sales fell 3.5% during the fourth quarter. Total sales for the quarter ended Feb. 2 fell 5% to $359.4 million from $377.3 million in the fourth quarter last year, which included an extra week. For the fiscal year, same-store sales fell 1.3%,Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:15:14 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41781http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41779Macy's Inc. said Wednesday it will cut about 2,300 management jobs as the department store operator consolidates three regional divisions and decentralizes buying in a bid to reduce costs and boost sales. The announcement came as Macy's announced that it had a steeper-than-expected drop in saleWed, 06 Feb 2008 17:16:55 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41779http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41776For the latest Web Exclusive “Tax Implications of Gift Cards,” click the Web exclusive link on the left side of the homepage.Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:16:23 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41776http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41775A Florida real estate development and acquisitions firm said Wednesday it has bought The Home Depot Inc.'s 11 Landscape Supply stores for $22 million.Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.-based Ram Realty Services said in a statement that it is evaluating the portfolio to determine which of the sites will bWed, 06 Feb 2008 17:16:11 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41775http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41774The Dutch company Corporate Express said Tuesday it was not in talks to be bought by U.S. rival Staples, denying a newspaper report and halving a sharp rise in its shares. "Such discussions are not taking place," it said in a statement after noting "rumors in a Dutch morning paper regarding ongWed, 06 Feb 2008 17:16:02 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41774http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41773Struggling consumer-electronics retailer Circuit City Stores Inc. said Wednesday it has increased its credit line by $800 million and extended the expiration date to 2013, according to a regulatory filing. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company said it has increaseWed, 06 Feb 2008 17:15:53 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41773http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41771Thomas Coughlin, former vice chairman of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., avoided a prison term on Friday when U.S. District Judge Robert Dawson resentenced him for tax evasion and fraud convictions. The judge said that home detention and probation was sufficient punishment for Coughlin. An appeals courtWed, 06 Feb 2008 17:15:32 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41771http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41770For the latest blog entry “What's in a Name?,” click the RetailView banner on the homepage.Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:15:21 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41770http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41769The Wet Seal Inc. said Tuesday that Greg Gemette, president of merchandise for its Arden B division, has resigned from the company for personal reasons. The company also said it has appointed Sharon Hughes chief merchandise officer for Arden B. Hughes previously worked for the company from 1990Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:15:12 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41769http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41768Cache Inc. on Wednesday said same-store sales rose 7% in January, the first increase in four months for the women's clothing retailer. Total revenue during the four-week period ended Jan. 26 rose 8% to $16.6 million. Results were helped by response to the company's Contour line of work appWed, 06 Feb 2008 10:15:35 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41768http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41766Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. has reported two executive changes. James Schoenbeck, senior VP of real estate, is retiring after more than 32 years of service to the company. Schoenbeck served in a variety of senior leadership positions. Phillip Hixon has been promoted to senior VP of store deWed, 06 Feb 2008 10:15:12 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41766http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41764For the second time in a month, 99 Cents Only stakeholder Akre Capital Management has demanded additional details regarding the discount chain's turnaround plans, according to a regulatory filing on Monday. Akre, which beneficially owns about 9.4 million shares, or a 13.4% stake, sent a letterTue, 05 Feb 2008 17:17:08 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41764http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41760Wal-Mart Stores on Tuesday announced a $1-million donation to the Red Cross Society of China to support disaster relief in areas that have been impacted by the worst snowstorms in China in 50 years.Since late January, frigid temperatures, snow and freezing rain have wreaked havoc in most provinTue, 05 Feb 2008 17:16:35 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41760http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41759Charming Shoppes Inc. said Tuesday it cut about 200 full-time jobs and will close about 150 underperforming stores to boost profit as consumer spending slows and sales slump. The retailer said it is also closing its four Petite Sophisticate stores, launched in 2007, and will cut $40 million froTue, 05 Feb 2008 17:16:28 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41759http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41757Sport Chalet, Inc. announced Tuesday that it plans to open three to four stores during 2008. According to the sporting-goods specialty retailer, the new stores will be focused on adding density to current markets, primarily California and Arizona.The company also said on Tuesday that sales forTue, 05 Feb 2008 17:16:12 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41757http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41756Deb Shops announced Tuesday it has named Diane Paccione as its new CEO. Paccione joins Deb Shops from Lane Bryant, where she most recently served as president of Charming Shoppes' Fashion Bug, Catherines, Petite Sophisticate Outlets, and Lane Bryant Outlets.Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:16:00 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41756http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41755The Kroger Co. announced Tuesday it has named Jeff Parker president of its Kwik Shop convenience store division. Parker will oversee 131 Kwik Shop stores in Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa.Kwik Shop is headquartered in Hutchinson, Kan.Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:15:50 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41755http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41754Movie Gallery, Inc. on Monday announced plans to close an additional 400 stores as part of its reorganization plan as it attempts to exit bankruptcy.“The decision to close stores is always difficult, but we are confident that we are taking the right steps to emerge from bankruptcy as a strongerTue, 05 Feb 2008 17:15:38 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41754http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41753A grocery distribution warehouse that services Waldbaum's and A&P stores throughout lower New York state will close March 28, according to a union official on Monday who is negotiating severance terms for workers.The warehouse employs approximately 400 people, said Kevin McCaffrey, presidenTue, 05 Feb 2008 17:15:29 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41753http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41752According to a survey released Tuesday by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and UBS Securities, Americans likely to receive a rebate passed by the U.S. House of Representatives (rebating $600 to qualifying individuals and $1,200 to qualifying couples) would most likely use that reTue, 05 Feb 2008 17:15:19 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41752http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41751Wal-Mart Stores announced Tuesday that its Sam's Club Discover cardholders will be receiving reward checks totaling $107 million. The checks are slated to arrive during the month of February. This is the third year that the reward checks have been issued as part of a program to help extend theTue, 05 Feb 2008 17:15:11 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41751http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41748Fortunoff said Monday it agreed to sell its business to an affiliate of NRDC Equity Partners LLC, which owns the Lord & Taylor department store chain, through a Chapter 11 bankruptcy process. The sale is expected to close in early March, subject to bankruptcy court approval and other conditMon, 04 Feb 2008 17:16:55 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41748http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41747Abercrombie & Fitch Co. said Monday authorities overreacted when they confiscated two display photos of scantily clad men and a woman from a clothing store and cited the manager on a misdemeanor obscenity charge. Abercrombie said it would pursue its legal rights aggressively and expected toMon, 04 Feb 2008 17:16:46 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41747http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41746Wal-Mart Stores Inc, said on Monday that suppliers of its private label and certain other food items, such as produce, meat and fish, must comply with Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standards.Wal-Mart said GFSI standards provide real-time details on where suppliers fall short in food safeMon, 04 Feb 2008 17:16:38 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41746http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41745Advance Auto Parts has launched a new branding campaign titled “Keep the Wheels Turning,” which debuted with television and radio commercials, and will also include outdoor, print and online media.According to Advance, the campaign targets both do-it-yourself (DIY) and commercial customers, byMon, 04 Feb 2008 17:16:30 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41745http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41744Charming Shoppes on Sunday issued a statement following the fatal shooting at its Lane Bryant store in Brookside Marketplace, Tinley Park, Ill.The store manager and four customers were shot and killed inside the store in what authorities said appeared to be a botched robbery. Police were searchMon, 04 Feb 2008 17:16:22 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41744http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41742Saks Inc. announced that Vince Corno joined the company on Monday as senior VP of real estate. Since May 2006, he served as VP of development for real estate company Forest City Enterprises, Inc. From 1998 to April 2006, Corno served in several real estate positions of increasing responsibilityMon, 04 Feb 2008 17:16:05 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41742http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41741Rite Aid Corp. announced Monday that Steve Parsons has been promoted to senior VP, human resources. He previously served as Rite Aid Group VP, human resources. In his new position, Parsons, 43, will be responsible for all aspects of human resources, including compensation and benefits, trainingMon, 04 Feb 2008 17:15:56 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41741http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41739Old Navy hopes to recapture market share and reposition itself with a new logo and marketing campaign for spring 2008, according to AdAge.com. Aiming to get rid of its traditional discount image, the new campaign, which is geared toward women in their 20s, was officially unveiled in New York atMon, 04 Feb 2008 17:15:40 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41739http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41738Walgreens Co. on Monday said same-store sales rose 3.8% in January, helped by higher pharmacy and front-end sales. Total sales for the month grew 9.6% to $4.96 billion. Front-end same-store sales grew 3.1% while pharmacy same-store sales rose 4.2%. Same-store pharmacy sales fell 4.2% becauMon, 04 Feb 2008 17:15:30 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41738http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41737Cabela's Inc. on Monday said it plans to open stores in Scarborough, Maine, and Rapid City, South Dakota, in 2008. The locations scheduled to open in 2009 are Billings, Mont., and East Rutherford, N.J.Mon, 04 Feb 2008 17:15:14 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41737http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41734Wal-Mart is to seeking to emulate Amazon's global success, launching an international e-commerce initiative aimed at securing billions of dollars of additional sales in countries including China, Japan and Brazil, according to The Financial Times. The retailer is increasingly looking to overseaFri, 01 Feb 2008 17:16:13 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41734http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41733Starbucks announced that it plans to close 100 underperforming locations in the United States, while scaling back the rate of store openings domestically, according to The New York Times. The locations slated to close were not identified. At the same time, Starbucks will move more aggressivelyFri, 01 Feb 2008 17:16:04 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41733http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41731Although there was hope consumers could help boost the economy by spending their tax rebates, a new survey by Lightspeed Research revealed that more than 50% of U.S. consumers plan to use their proposed tax rebates primarily to pay down debt, rather than spend it. Only 20% of consumers said theFri, 01 Feb 2008 17:15:46 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41731http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41730O'Reilly Automotive is proposing to acquire all of the outstanding shares of CSK Auto Corp. common stock for $8.00 per share in cash. The total transaction is valued at approximately $845 million, including the assumption of approximately $490 million of CSK debt. The acquisition is expectFri, 01 Feb 2008 17:15:38 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41730http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41729Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is actively working to open its first small-scale grocery stores in Arizona, according to city planning officials, as the retailer looks to fend off competition from British supermarket rival Tesco. Tesco entered the U.S marketplace last year, opening Fresh & Easy NeighFri, 01 Feb 2008 17:15:29 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41729http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41728Specialty retailer Conn's, Inc. announced that its CFO David L. Rogers retired on Thursday. The board of directors has appointed Michael J. Poppe to fill the position, effective Friday. Poppe has served as the company's controller and assistant CFO and assistant treasurer since he joined the coFri, 01 Feb 2008 17:15:20 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41728http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41727Men's Wearhouse on Thursday said it will shuffle two positions in a realignment.Doug Ewert will become president and continue to serve as COO. He was formerly executive VP and COO. In addition, Charlie Bresler will become executive VP of marketing and human resources. He was formerly presidenFri, 01 Feb 2008 17:15:12 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41727http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41726Amazon.com Inc. said Thursday it will buy online audio bookseller Audible Inc. for $300 million in a bid to expand its reach in digital audio content. Audible's catalog includes about 80,000 audio books, radio programs, spoken-word selections and other digital content for download. AmazonThu, 31 Jan 2008 17:16:27 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41726http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41722Stage Stores Inc. on Thursday said the COO of its Peebles division will retire. Dennis Abramczyk, also an executive VP, will remain in his position until a replacement is named. He served in the post for nine years.Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:15:54 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41722http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41721Walgreen Co. said Thursday that Alan McNally, a director at the company since 1999, was named to the newly created position of "lead director" at Walgreen. “Designating a lead director is becoming a standard good governance practice, making it the right time for us to take this action,” said WaThu, 31 Jan 2008 17:15:46 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41721http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41720David Roche, the CEO of Borders U.K., has stepped down. The reason for his departure was not cited in reports. Philip Downer, who previously served as managing director for the company, will replace him. Borders U.K. reported a same-store sales increase of 2.9% for the period between Dec.Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:15:35 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41720http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41719Home Depot Inc. said on Thursday it will cut 500 jobs at its Atlanta store support center, or about 10% of the headquarters staff. Company spokesman Ron DeFeo said employees were notified of the cuts Thursday. He said the company wants to ensure appropriate staff levels as it boosts funds for sThu, 31 Jan 2008 17:15:23 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41719http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41718Dell Inc. said it will close its 140 shopping mall kiosks in the United States. Dell now sells computers and other devices in more than 10,000 stores around the world, including Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Best Buy Co. The kiosks, where customers could place orders for delivery, may be losing someThu, 31 Jan 2008 17:15:11 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41718http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41715Aeropostale Inc. said Thursday it extended its employment contract with chairman and CEO Julian R. Geiger until Jan. 31, 2011. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Aeropostale said it will pay Geiger a base salary of $1 million per year, with eligibility for an annual bonusThu, 31 Jan 2008 10:15:55 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41715http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41714AnnTaylor Stores Corp. on Wednesday said it will close 117 stores and cut 180 jobs in an effort to save money amid a difficult retail environment. The company plans to save $50 million annually by 2010 with the plan, and save $20 million to $25 million in fiscal 2008. It will close the stoThu, 31 Jan 2008 10:15:46 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41714http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41711Fortunoff said its stores are open for "business as usual," despite a report that the company is considering Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and observations from retail experts that its stores are struggling to keep up its inventory. “Fortunoff has been and is continuing to work with its financial adviThu, 31 Jan 2008 10:15:20 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41711http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41710J.C. Penney Co. Inc. is set to cut 100 to 200 jobs as it merges its buying and marketing operations for its store and online businesses, CEO Myron Ullman said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. Ullman was also quoted in the interview, published on Thursday, as saying the company mayThu, 31 Jan 2008 10:15:10 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41710http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41709Kohl's Corp. ranks eighth in the nation in the amount of energy the retailer buys from renewable-energy sources, federal officials said Tuesday. According to the EPA, Kohl's is buying 236 million kilowatt-hours of green power a year. Kohl's has been installing rooftop solar photovoltaic syWed, 30 Jan 2008 17:17:24 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41709http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41706Retail design firm Callison announced the promotion of staff members to the role of associate principal. Associate principals (APs) are recognized for their project leadership, collaboration and mentoring skills. The new APs are: Cindy Davis, LEED AP; Bill Fetterley, AIA, LEED AP; Eric Foulke,Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:16:59 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41706http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41704Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market announced on Wednesday that it will open 18 stores in Northern California starting in 2009. Eleven of the 18 locations will be in the greater East Bay area. It will be the second wave of stores opened by Fresh & Easy, which has already debuted dozens ofWed, 30 Jan 2008 17:16:41 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41704http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41703Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is set to shake up its sluggish apparel unit by shutting two divisions at its Arkansas headquarters, eliminating dozens of positions and moving dozens more to New York, The New York Times reported on Wednesday. Representatives at Wal-Mart were not immediately available forWed, 30 Jan 2008 17:16:31 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41703http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41700Costco plans to open its first store in Australia in 2009. At its annual shareholders meeting in Bellevue, Wash., on Jan. 29, Costco chairman of the board Jeffrey Brotman said the company plans to “open in Australia sometime next year,” when asked about the chain's plans for international expanWed, 30 Jan 2008 17:16:07 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41700http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41699James Dorman, a former VP of Staples, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for embezzlement. Gorman, who embezzled close to $600,000 from Staples, will also have to pay the company $585,000 in restitution. Dorman plead guilty to mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering forWed, 30 Jan 2008 17:15:58 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41699http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41698Former Blockbuster executive Nicholas Shepherd has been named chairman, CEO and president of Sagittarius Brands, parent company of the Captain D's Seafood Kitchen and Del Taco restaurant chains. He will join the company on March 1. Shepherd was with Blockbuster for the past 12 years, most recenWed, 30 Jan 2008 17:15:49 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41698http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41697Somerville, Mass.-based Arrowstreet, a firm providing architecture, planning, interior design, and graphic-design services, has named the following key staff members as principals: Dennis Carlberg, AIA, LEED AP; Pat Cornelison, AIA, LEED AP; and Kevin Nice, AIA, LEED AP.Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:15:39 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41697http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41696Oakbrook Terrace, Ill-based Mid-America Real Estate Corp., announced the recent promotion of three of its retail real estate brokers to senior VP. Dan Tausk has been promoted from VP to senior VP of Mid-America's urban retail team. While representing both retail landlords and tenants, he will nWed, 30 Jan 2008 17:15:28 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41696http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41695Rosemont, Ill.-based Advance announced the appointment of Pieter de Haan as CEO, effective Jan. 1. De Haan succeeds retiring CEO Brian Dundon.Since first joining the Philips Lighting organization in 1982, de Haan held successive roles throughout Philips Lighting in Europe and Asia and has amassWed, 30 Jan 2008 17:15:19 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41695http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41694Staples has appointed Mark Mettler to senior VP, general merchandising manager, consumer technology and seasonal supplies. Mettler previously served as VP, general merchandise manager at Sears Roebuck and Co. He joined Sears in 1993 and assumed increasing levels of responsibility for merchandisWed, 30 Jan 2008 17:15:11 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41694http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41691Whole Foods CEO Receives $162,160 for 2007 After Self-imposed The chief executive of Whole Foods Market Inc. received compensation valued at $162,160 in fiscal 2007, the company disclosed in a regulatory filing on Monday.John P. Mackey, 54, received a base salary of $93,500 in the fiscal year tTue, 29 Jan 2008 17:17:34 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41691http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41690Jewel-Osco will relocate its headquarters to Itasca, Ill., from Melrose Park, Ill., this summer and will include in its newest Chicago store a chef's station and a wine steward, the company's president said Monday, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.The retailer will relocate 400 employees, butTue, 29 Jan 2008 17:17:24 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41690http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41689Nordstrom announced it has signed a letter of intent with The Irvine Company to open a Nordstrom store at Fashion Island, in Newport Beach, Calif.The two-level, 138,000-sq.-ft. store is scheduled to open in spring 2010.The Nordstrom at Fashion Island will be the retailer's sixth full-lineTue, 29 Jan 2008 17:17:07 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41689http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41688Supervalu Inc. will close all five of its organic Sunflower Market stores, the company confirmed Tuesday.A company spokeswoman said that the division did not meet the company's goals. Supervalu had planned to expand the stores nationally as a competitor to larger organic chains like Whole FoodsTue, 29 Jan 2008 17:16:55 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41688http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41687ShopperTrak RCT Corp.'s National Retail Sales Estimate (NRSE) Tuesday reported that retail sales for the week ending Jan. 26 increased a rather surprising 8.9% vs. the same period in 2007. Week-over-week sales posted a 5.7% increase vs. the previous week ending Jan. 19. While last week's impTue, 29 Jan 2008 17:16:42 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41687http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41686Dillard's Inc. shares on Tuesday afternoon rose 3.4% after two New York-based hedge funds reported a stake in the department store company, saying Dillard's shares are significantly undervalued.Barington Capital Group and Clinton Group, which together accumulated a stake of approximately 5.3% iTue, 29 Jan 2008 17:16:24 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41686http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41685Crate and Barrel co-founder and CEO Gordon Segal announced Tuesday that Barbara A. Turf, president of Crate and Barrel, will succeed him at the chain on May 1. Turf has spent the majority of her career partnering with Segal in the leadership and strategic direction of the company. Though SegalTue, 29 Jan 2008 17:16:11 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41685http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41684As cupid prepares for his biggest day of the year, consumers are also planning special ways to celebrate with their loved ones. According to the National Retail Federation's 2008 Valentine's Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, the average consumer plans to spend $12Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:16:01 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41684http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41683CheckUps, a start-up operator of walk-in medical clinics, has shut down 23 clinics operating in Wal-Mart stores in Florida and three other Southern states, according to The New York Times. CheckUps fell behind in paying its nurses and other vendors late last year, apparently running short of caTue, 29 Jan 2008 17:15:45 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41683http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41682Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Tuesday it will cut prices on thousands of items to lure shoppers struggling with the weak economy.“We all know economic times are tough so our plan is to help with added savings throughout the year, focusing especially on what people want, when they need it," said JohTue, 29 Jan 2008 17:15:34 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41682http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41680Circuit City Stores Tuesday announced that Jeffrey S. Stone has joined the company as executive VP, new business development. His responsibilities will include overseeing the growth of the chain's new retail concept, The City.Stone, 51, was most recently president and COO of Tivoli Audio, LLC,Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:15:12 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41680http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41675DAVACO, Inc. announced recently that Tom Sacco was named director of the company's restaurant division. He will be responsible for leading the expansion of DAVACO's restaurant business and oversee the team's execution of remodel, re-image, new restaurants and special-project programs for national anMon, 28 Jan 2008 17:16:19 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41675http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41674Tesco will open its first Express convenience store in China as part of its international-expansion plans to offset slowing growth at home in its food business, according to a Reuters report. “We don't have a firm opening date, but yes we are planning to open our first Express store in ShanghaiMon, 28 Jan 2008 17:16:11 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41674http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41673Sears Holdings Corp. said Monday that its president and CEO Aylwin B. Lewis would step down at the end of its fiscal year this week, the latest blow for an ailing company that's struggling to connect with customers and invigorate slumping sales. Lewis will be succeeded by W. Bruce Johnson, an eMon, 28 Jan 2008 17:16:03 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41673http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41672Amazon.com said Sunday it will begin an international rollout this year of its digital-music store that offers songs without copy-protection technology known as digital-rights management (DRM). Amazon said it is the only retailer to offer DRM-free MP3s from all four major music labels, as wellMon, 28 Jan 2008 17:15:52 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41672http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41671SunPower Corp. has installed the first of seven solar-power systems planned for Wal-Mart Stores. The 390-kilowatt system was installed at Sam's Club, Chino, Calif. Earlier, Wal-Mart announced plans to install solar panels at about 22 of its stores and distribution centers in Hawaii and CalifornMon, 28 Jan 2008 17:15:45 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41671http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41670Dunkin' Donuts said on Friday it will open its first shop in Shanghai this spring as part of its move into the Chinese market. It plans to open some 100 shops in Shanghai during the next decade. Dunkin's Shanghai shops will feature—in addition to its regular fare—items tailored for local tastesMon, 28 Jan 2008 17:15:37 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41670http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41669Best Buy Co. said that Neville Roberts will join the company in a new position as CIO of Best Buy International, the strategic business unit focused on the enterprise's growth outside of the United States. Prior to joining Best Buy, Roberts spent more than 18 years at Accenture, most recently aMon, 28 Jan 2008 17:15:29 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41669http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41668The Wet Seal Inc. said Friday it will cut 41 staffers and leave 10 other posts vacant in a cost-cutting move amid a difficult retail environment. Forty-nine positions were corporate and two were field positions. The company expects to save $4.3 million pretax beginning in fiscal 2008. It will tMon, 28 Jan 2008 17:15:19 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41668http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41667Supervalu at its annual investor conference on Thursday outlined its "building blocks for the future," which include improving in-store execution, investing in the retail store network with the Premium Fresh & Healthy remodel program, deploying innovative merchandising programs, increasing the cMon, 28 Jan 2008 17:15:12 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41667http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41666Home Depot Inc. has scrapped a plan to buy a bank as it focuses on shoring up its retail business. The company in 2006 had announced plans to buy EnerBank USA, a Utah loan provider, from CMS Energy Corp. "Earlier this week, we informed EnerBank that we no longer intend to acquire the compaFri, 25 Jan 2008 17:16:34 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41666http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41665Royal Ahold NV said Friday its overall fourth-quarter sales rose 0.2%, with the weakening dollar limiting growth. Net sales rose to $69.65 billion in the last three months of 2007. At the company's Dutch Albert Heijn chain, sales rose 13% to $2.9 billion, due in part to acquisitions. In thFri, 25 Jan 2008 17:16:25 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41665http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41664Consumer spending may be down, but not when it comes to the Super Bowl. According to the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association's Super Bowl Consumer Intentions and Action Survey, sales for products related to the big game are expected to see big growth over last year. The survey found thFri, 25 Jan 2008 17:16:18 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41664http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41663DAVACO, Inc., the national leading provider of retail services, announced that Lora Churcher has been named director of national accounts for DAVACO's brand development division. In this role, Churcher is responsible for new business development and the management of existing accounts for national cFri, 25 Jan 2008 17:16:10 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41663http://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41661CVS Pharmacy plans to launch a monthly magazine called Great Health to half a million high-end customers in May. The custom monthly magazine is aimed at women. It will contain news and advice from experts on a different healthcare category every month.Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:15:50 EDThttp://www.retailnet.com/rss/view.cfm?ID=41661