Marketing

NEW YORK — Retail executives have more cash, are adding employees and enjoying stronger revenue, but they remain quite guarded longer term, not seeing a complete economic recovery until 2014 or later, according to the 2012 Retail Outlook Survey by audit, tax, and advisory firm KPMG LLP.

In the recent survey, 77% of retail executives indicate that their companies have significant cash on the balance sheet – up from 72% in KPMG's 2011 survey – and 56% say their companies' cash positions have increased from last year.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar is getting the Redbox treatment.

The discount store chain announced it inked a multiyear deal with the Coinstar subsidiary, through which Redbox kiosks will be installed at Family Dollar locations across the United States. Family Dollar customers will be able to rent new release DVDs at Redbox for $1.20 a night, Blu-ray discs for $2 a night and games for $2 a night.

New York -- Brooks Bros. Group and Reliance Brands Limited announced Tuesday the formation of a joint venture company in India.

Reliance Brands, a division of Reliance Industries Group, will use its local connections to bring the American brand to India.

Seattle -- Eddie Bauer announced Tuesday that Michael R. Egeck has been named its president and CEO, replacing interim CEO David Chamberlain who will remain a member of the board.

Egeck was most recently CEO of Hurley International, a division of Nike. He has also served as president of True Religion.

Matthews, N.C. -- Family Dollar Stores said Tuesday it has entered into a multi-year agreement with Coinstar to provide Redbox kiosks at Family Dollar locations across the United States.

“As Family Dollar continues to broaden its assortment and increase relevancy to our customer, Redbox is a natural addition to our growth initiatives,” said Michael Bloom, president and COO, Family Dollar.
 

Canadian specialty apparel retailer Reitmans broadens its appeal with a new store environment designed to appeal to a younger and more fashion-focused shopper while also engaging the existing customer base. Bright, crisp, clean and confident, the new design (by Dalzel and Pow, London) brings a fresh, modern feel to the brand.

Justin Timberlake, Celine Dion, Taylor Swift and Lionel Richie kept the mood light and celebratory at Walmart’s annual meeting. See what The New York Times had to say about the event.


 

See what Walmart president and CEO Mike Duke had to say about the company’s growth prospects. For a transcript of his comments, click here.



 

Walmart’s strategy of every day low prices underpinned by an every day low cost operating model will work everywhere in the world, according to international division president and CEO Doug McMillon.

Responding to a question about improving international financial returns, McMillon weighed in on the need to deliver on the strategy of every day low prices on a broad assortment and how that is the right approach internationally in large format stores.

Orlando, Fla. — The Global Market Development Center has awarded Jerry Brown its 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award. The honor was given on June 3 during the “Dinner with the Chairman” at the 42nd Annual 2012 General Merchandise Conference in Orlando, Fla.