Strategy

Walmart’s decision to sell, and more importantly, actively promote, a $98 Internet-connected television device called Boxee TV could help shape the future of in-home content delivery.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation is continuing its fight against credit card swipe fees by asking a judge to reject a proposed class-action settlement of a federal antitrust lawsuit, saying it would not bring the fees charged by Visa and MasterCard under control and does not give retailers who oppose it an adequate mechanism to opt out.

Former OfficeMax executive Ryan Vero has been named SVP and president of grocery, drug and pharmacy at Sears Holdings.

Vero spent 17 years with OfficeMax and last served as the company’s EVP and chief merchandising and marketing officer. In his new role with Sears Holdings, Vero will be responsible for the oversight, leadership and growth, both in-store and online, for the company’s grocery, drug and pharmacy businesses.

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc.appears to be on the upswing, reporting positive same-store sales across all of its divisions for both the third quarter and October. 

Net sales for the third quarter increased 8% to $3.86 billion compared with $3.59 billion for the third quarter last year. The company’s third quarter comparable sales were up 65 compared with a 5% decrease in the third quarter last year.

LOS ANGELES — Guess? Inc. announced tht its COO, J. Michael Prince; and SVP and CFO, Dennis Secor.  Both are leaving to pursue other interests. Prince will remain with the company until Nov. 26 and Secor will remain with the company until Dec. 7.

Paul Marciano, CEO, stated, "We wish Michael and Dennis well in their future endeavors and thank them for their contributions to our company. Given the depth of our management team, we expect a very smooth and orderly transition."

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion has partnered with the American Red Cross to accept register and online donations to support disaster-relief efforts and help replenish the American Red Cross Disaster Relief funds in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Appliance manufacturer Electrolux has joined the effort to help with Sandy relief. The company has announced a $100,000 commitment to the American Red Cross Disaster Fund. In addition, the company will match employee contributions up to another $100,000.

SAN FRANCISCO — Williams-Sonoma will open its first store in Quebec, Canada, on Nov. 3. Located at Carrefour Laval in Laval, Quebec, the new store marks Williams-Sonoma’s eighth location in Canada, and will be the first to showcase a brand new store design.

PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Hasbro has provided $100,000 in combined grant support through the Hasbro Children’s Fund to the American Red Cross, World Vision and Feeding America to support their relief efforts following Hurricane Sandy. Additionally, over 10,000 games have been donated to shelters along the east coast.

NAPERVILLE, Ill — OfficeMax's business-to-business division is getting a new name to go along with its new strategy of serving a wide range of customers with tailored solutions.