Strategy

Value-oriented food retailer Smart & Final Stores Inc. plans to accelerate its expansion plans after posting double-digit sales growth in the fourth quarter.

In case you missed it, the first quarter edition of Walmart Supplier News is now available. For perspective on Walmart COO Judith McKenna’s quest for operational excellence and a wide range of Walmart-related topics click here. 

Columbus, Ohio -- On the heels of its announcement that it would open 35 stores in 2015, footwear retailer DSW said Wednesday that 19 of those store openings would occur this spring.

The locations will be nationwide, including 12 new markets.

"We are pleased to grow our footprint in cities DSW already calls home, while also expanding to new areas of the country. Opening 19 stores this season and more throughout 2015 is absolutely thrilling for our brand,” said Carrie McDermott, executive VP and COO of DSW.

Seattle -- Starbucks Corp. stirred up controversy even as it excited shareholders at the company’s annual meeting on Wednesday.

Shoe Carnival credited “favorable weather” with its impressive spike in same store sales in the fourth quarter.

The Indiana-based retailer of moderately priced footwear and accessories reported that net sales in the fourth quarter ended Jan. 31 increased $27.3 million to $227.6 million, compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. Same store sales increased 9.5%, which exceeded the company’s guidance for the quarter. Earnings per diluted share were 15 cents.

San Francisco -- Williams-Sonoma set a milestone in 2014 as it reported that, for the first time ever, e-commerce sales made up more than 50% of all yearly revenues.

Williams-Sonoma said its fourth quarter net revenues grew 5.2% to $1.542 billion versus $1.466 billion in the prior year quarter.

Same-store sales grew of 5.1%.

Target has been hit with a slew of negative reports recently, and now the retailer is trying to do something positive for its image by making its return policy more shopper-friendly.

Target Corp. announced an enhanced return policy Wednesday covering all of the retailer’s 32 owned and exclusive brands, which extends the return window to one year from the date of purchase. The retailer also rolled out a one-year return guarantee for guests using Target’s baby, college or wedding gift registry.

Philadelphia -- Shopping center owner PREIT said that it will add several key – and some first-to-market – tenants to several of its upscale malls.  

At Cherry Hill (New Jersey) Mall, new tenants include lululemon athletica, Tumi, and e.l.f. studio; Primark will open in 2016 at Willow Grove (Pennsylvania) Park; and Garage will open at Woodland Mall, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.