Marketing

It looks like there are going to be some unhappy folks in Walmart’s supplier community later today. That’s because there are only a few seats remaining for the Emerging Trends in Retail conference that is organized each fall by the Center for Retail Excellence in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Strong results in consumable categories, a little inflation and some Hurricane Irene related sales fueled an 11.5% same-store sales increase and led to a strong overall third-quarter financial performance at Tractor Supply Company.

San Jose, Calif. -- eBay, which reported income and revenue growth for its third quarter, is seeing increased strength in its mobile business as more customers are turning to their smartphones to shop.

eBay reported that revenue for the third quarter ended Sept. 30 increased 32% to $3 billion, compared with the same period of 2010. The company reported third-quarter net income on a GAAP basis of $490.5 million, up from $432 million in the year-ago period.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Supervalu reduced it full-year profit forecast Wednesday morning, even though the company reported better-than-expected second-quarter sales and profits as a result of strategies president and CEO Craig Herkert said are yielding results.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — SB Capital Group, a Schottenstein affiliate, said Monday it has acquired 15 JCPenney Outlet Stores from JCPenney Co., and will rebrand the units as JC’s 5 Star Outlet.

According to SB Capital, the stores will operate for up to a 21-month transitional period as JCPenney Outlet Stores, as the stores are converted to JC's 5 Star Outlet. J.C. Penney will continue to supply the stores with overstocks and end-of-season merchandise, and all existing store staffs and management have been retained.

BENSALEM, Pa. — Charming Shoppes announced that it has launched Sonsi.com to give customers around the world online access to fashion brands Lane Bryant, Cacique, Catherines, Fashion Bug and Loop 18, as well as more than 300 brands.

Competing with Walmart is nothing new for Target, but what appears to be different this holiday season compared with the last few years is, to borrow a football metaphor, Walmart has eliminated its turnovers and is now showing some signs of momentum.

At least that’s what the retailer told financial analysts gathered in Northwest Arkansas last week for an all-day meeting. 

San Francisco -- X Team International, an international alliance of retail real estate advisors, announced the election of John Cumbelich as its new president and Clay Mote and David Larson as new board members.

Exiting president is Nelson Wheeler of Strategic Retail Advisors-California.