Strategy

Columbus, Ohio -- Footwear big-box retailer DSW will open stores in Michigan, California, and Washington State this month.

A 20,000-sq.-ft. store will open April 30 at Pirate’s Plaza in Flint, Michigan, representing the 10th DSW store in the Detroit market.

In Bakersfield, California, DSW will open an 18,000-sq.-ft. store at Shops at River Walk, also on April 30. The Shops at River Walk store marks the company’s first in Bakersfield.

New York -- Following its January 2015 spinoff from private-equity firm Sycamore Partners, Jones New York has been acquired by Authentic Brands Group, LLC, owner of a global portfolio of fashion, sports, media and entertainment brands.

Sycamore previously announced it would close all Jones New York retail locations and seek strategic alternatives for the beleaguered brand.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin’ Brands Group had a slam-dunk first quarter, with first quarter profit growth of 11.7%, a revenue increase of 8.1%, and U.S. same-store sales growth of 8% in its Baskin-Robbins unit. The Dunkin’ Donuts segment saw same-store sales climb a more modest 2.7%.

The chain added 79 net new restaurants worldwide during the quarter, which included 78 Dunkin Donuts in the U.S.

Bentonville, Ark. -- As the world’s largest retailer has been challenged to grow sales, the Wal-Mart Stores Inc. revealed in its proxy statement filed with security regulators that executive cash bonuses are now being tied to sales performance – in addition to operating income – in the fiscal year.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Global responsibility and sustainability continue to be priorities for Wal-Mart Stores Inc.  The company filed its proxy statement ahead of its June 5 annual shareholders meeting, and also issued its annual report, and the 2015 Global Responsibility Report and Global Compliance Program Report.

The Global Responsibility Report outlined social and environmental work over the past year.  Accomplishments, according to the company, include:  

Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. House of Representatives passed a long-awaited bill by a vote of 307-116 on Wednesday that would make it easier for private companies to share information about cybersecurity threats with the government without fear of lawsuits.

The bill must be approved by the U.S. Senate before it can be sent to President Barack Obama to sign into law. A similar measure was passed by a 14-1 vote in the Senate Intelligence Committee, and supporters say they expect strong bipartisan support in the full Senate as well.

New York -- On the heels of disappointing sales trends, Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores Inc. said that its CEO W. Bruce Johnson will leave the company Aug. 1.

The company also announced that the board of directors has commenced a search for a new CEO and has retained Heidrick & Struggles, a leading global executive search firm, to assist the Board in identifying and evaluating external and internal candidates.

O’Reilly Automotive says it plans to build a new distribution center in Texas to help support its 205 new stores in 2015.

America’s second largest retailer in the automotive aftermarket industry said its expansion plans are on track after profit rose in the first quarter on higher sales and better margins, continuing a trend of 15% or greater profit growth for the past six years.

Walmart detailed a wide range of considerable accomplishments in its eighth annual Global Responsibility Report released this week, but what the world really want to know is what’s up with those toilets at Pico Rivera, Calif., supercenter.

In case you missed it, Walmart abruptly closed the store and four others due to what the company characterized as emergency plumbing issues. Plans called for the stores to close for six months while repairs were made and employees were given two months severance pay and told them would need to reapply for jobs when the stores reopened.

Volatile demand for firearms seems to be easing at Cabela’s, which reported a profit rise of 6.9% in the first quarter despite a drop in same store sales.