Finance & Capital Management

Discount grocer Aldi has deployed an energy management solution that gives it control and visibility across its nearly 1,500 U.S. stores.

The chain has implemented Siemens’ Site Controls energy management system, with the majority of the installations involving retrofits at existing stores where thermostats or third-party energy management systems were replaced. But the system has been deployed in newly constructed stores as well. Aldi will also install the Site Controls system in new stores as it continues to expand across the nation.

Meijer's ambitious growth plans for 2016 involve nine new supercenters, 32 remodels and a $400 million budget.

The company announced the investment includes the construction of nine new Meijer supercenters and 32 different remodel projects. While Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin will each welcome new Meijer supercenters later this year, dozens of other Meijer stores have begun or will soon begin remodel projects to further enhance the customer shopping experience.

Cold winter weather in the Western states helped Big 5 Sporting Goods post an increase in same-store sales and profit in the fourth quarter.

For the fourth quarter ended Jan. 3, the retailer said net sales increased to $275 million from net sales of $250.3 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. Same-store sales increased 0.1% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 and 1.4% for the full year.

Von Maur Department Store is doubling down in Minnesota.

The family-owned company will open a 140,000-sq.-ft. store at the Rosedale Center in St. Paul. Scheduled to open fall 2018, the store will be the retailer’s second location in Minnesota. Construction is due to begin in spring 2017.

Abercrombie & Fitch's efforts to attract more shoppers are paying off, as the company reported an increase in same store sales for the fourth quarter.

The teen retailer announced adjusted earnings of $1.08 a share for the period ended Jan. 30. Net sales were $1.11 billion. Same store sales jumped 1%, the first gain in overall same store sales since the third quarter ended October 29, 2011, according to Bloomberg.

Meijer will spend $400 million on store expansion and remodeling in 2016 as the chain looks to expand its footprint.

The investment includes the construction of nine new Meijer supercenters and 32 remodel projects. While Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin will each welcome new Meijer supercenters later this year, dozens of other Meijer stores have begun or will soon begin remodel projects to further enhance the customer shopping experience.

The Sports Authority on Wednesday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and said it plans to close or sell as many as 140 of its 463 stores nationwide. The beleaguered company has struggled in recent years under increased competition not only from online players, but also from the likes of Dick’s Sporting Goods and specialty retailers such as Lululemon that have capitalized on the “athleisure” boom in fitness apparel.