Strategy

Sam’s Club is celebrating National Small Business Week in a very big way.

The retailer is launching the Small Business Economic Mobility initiative (SBEM), a five-year investment in small business growth through increased access to capital and borrower education, with grants totaling $13.6 million to eight national nonprofits.

In the South, it’s never too early to talk about football, which is why N.C.-based department store Belk made a big college football announcement this week.

The chain says it will be the title sponsor of the 2015 Belk College Kickoff Game, featuring the University of North Carolina Tar Heels and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. The game is set to take place at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Sept. 3 with a 6 p.m. kickoff.

Kohl’s is showing its customers that it cares about the recent earthquake in Nepal by making a large donation through its Kohl's Cares program.

The retailer is awarding a $50,000 cash grant toward earthquake relief efforts in Nepal. Kohl’s is providing this donation to the American Red Cross, which is delivering much-needed emergency supplies and services in the impacted areas.

Macy’s will finally unveil its off-price business model in the fall by opening four new stores in the New York City area under a name that might not be so unfamiliar to loyal customers.

Store closures led Office Depot sales to decline in the first quarter, but the retailer still reported a sizable bump in profit.

Nordstrom may well be the first public company to have three presidents as co-presidents.

A major Canadian grocery chain has a new partner in its quest to improve its omnichannel capabilties.

Metro Inc. has partnered with XCCommerce Inc. to install XCCommerce’s Promotion Solution Suite in support of Metro’s omnichannel promotion and targeted coupon strategy.

New York -- Hibbett Sports’ expansion plan hit an important milestone in Sealey, Texas this month, with the opening of its 1,000th store location.

Marion, Ill. -- Outdoor gear and apparel retailer Gander Mountain is set to open its new location, in Marion, Illinois, on May 7.

The new 52,000-sq.-ft. store is the company’s eighth in Illinois. The exterior and interior layout reflect Gander Mountain's new store design featuring innovative interior elements, displays and fixtures.

New York -- Discount supermarket company WinCo Foods LLC will open its 100th store on May 7, in Lewisville, Texas. The 83,000-sq.-ft. location is the fifth WinCo store to open in the Lone Star State.

The new store features WinCo's signature "Wall of Values" at the entry, which displays a wide variety of high-volume, value-priced products.

WinCo currently operates some 100 stores in the states of Washington, Idaho, Nevada, California, Oregon, Arizona, Utah and Texas.