3M has announced a realignment of its major business groups to better serve global markets and customers, effective immediately.
The new structure will be comprised of five business groups: Consumer (2011 sales of $4.2 billion), Industrial ($9.6 billion), Health Care ($5.0 billion) and two newly formed business groups: Safety & Graphics ($5.5 billion), and Electronics & Energy ($5.7 billion). Previously, the company operated six segments.
In case you missed it, Retailing Today published its annual Insights 2013 issue recently and while Target is currently the nation’s sixth largest retailer that position is likely to change in 2013.
It is conceivable Target could become the nation’s fourth largest retailer by this time next year, overtaking both Home Depot and Walgreens.
Layaway program have become all the rage the past few years as retailers seeks to offer shoppers every conceivable convenience to capture every available sales dollar.
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings is now offering its Kmart and Sears customers the option of ship-to-home delivery for items purchased through online layaway.
The new service – also available on store kiosks now enables shoppers to select, purchase and have the items delivered directly to their homes, bypassing the layaway line altogether. Both retailers will begin the exclusive layaway ship-to-home service starting Nov. 7.
London -- British retailer Tesco reported Wednesday that profit dropped 6.8% in its first fiscal half to $2.06 billion, weighed down by costs associated with its turnaround strategy.
Revenue for the period inched up 1.6% to $51.9 billion, but costs were up as well for the world’s third-largest retailer. Same-store sales fell off 0.7%.
"The plan is a long course of treatment for us, not a single dose," new CEO Philip Clarke said of the turnaround plan.
Denver -- Regional chain The Running Specialty Group announced Wednesday it has acquired five Dallas-based Run On! stores, bring the total number of stores to 24.
RSG is a joint venture between The Finish Line and private-equity firm Gart Capital Partners.
Plans call for RSG to begin expanding in Texas and surrounding areas over the next five years.
Seattle -- Green-building consulting firm Paladino and Co. said Wednesday it has acquired S.D. Keppler & Associates, a green consultancy out of Rockville, Md.
The two firms have joined to establish a comprehensive consulting offering focused on elevating the impact of green real estate programs within business.
