Strategy

Chicago -- Peet’s Coffee & Tea is growing its footprint in the greater Chicago area, opening 16 stores in a phased rollout across the market this fall. Chicago is part of Peet’s aggressive U.S. expansion effort that began last year, which will bring its store total to nearly 300 locations nationwide by the end of the year.

Hingham, Mass. - Talbots has selected Mi9 BI, Mi9 Merchant, and Sales Audit solutions with loss prevention software products to replace its existing core merchandising and inventory management systems. Talbots needed technology to help streamline the merchandising process, including the re-classifying of product hierarchy and centrally managing inventory across all channels.

The Home Depot is the latest major retailer to investigate what looks like a data breach.

The Atlanta-based retailer is looking into the matter and also working with law enforcement and bank investigators.

"Protecting our customers' information is something we take extremely seriously, and we are aggressively gathering facts at this point while working to protect customers,” the retailer said in a statement.

Tewksbury, Mass. – The Market Basket supermarket chain is wasting no time in moving forward following its purchase by former CEO Arthur T. Demoulas for $1.5 billion on Aug. 28. According to the Boston Globe, Market Basket plans to open at least four new stores in Massachusetts the near future.

By A.J. Clark, Thermopylae

Improved sales in Pacific Sunwear’s men’s division helped bolster the company’s earnings for the second quarter ended Aug. 2.

The company reported earnings of $7.5 million for the quarter, compared to a net loss of $19.2 million in the year-ago period. Comparable store sales inched up 0.3%.

Revenue for the quarter was a better-than-expected $211.7 million, up from $210.1 million last year.

Broad-line retailer Alco’s shareholders have replaced the company’s board of directors with seven new members, effective immediately. The elections were made at the company’s annual meeting of stockholders in Dallas late last week.

Carle Place, N.Y. -- 1-800-Flowers.com Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire gourmet food and gift retailer Harry & David Holdings for $142.5 million in cash.  

The deal includes Harry & David’s brands and websites as well as its headquarters, manufacturing and distribution facilities and orchards in Medford, Oregon, a warehouse and distribution facility in Hebron, Ohio, and 47 Harry & David stores.