Strategy

PHOENIX — Sprouts Farmers Markets announced that Shon Boney, who has served as CEO since the company's founding in 2002, will assume the role of chairman of the board of Sprouts. Long-time Sprouts president Doug Sanders will become president and CEO, whereby he will continue to be responsible for all day-to-day aspects of running the business.

According to the company, Boney is taking on the chairman role in order to spend more time with his family in Sand Diego.

Wounded retailers have a tendency to take irrational actions which means Walmart could have its hands full this holiday season as Best Buy is looking desperate and has a new CEO at the helm.

Walmart U.S. just reported its fourth consecutive quarter of positive same store sales growth. Now comes the hard part.

The current third quarter period marks the first time in three years that Walmart U.S. is up against a prior year increase in same store sales. As Walmart U.S. president and CEO Bill Simon reminded those listening to the company’s conference call last week, Walmart had a 1.3% comp increase in the third quarter of 2011 and this year he is expecting an increase in the range of 1% to 3%.

Walmart saw its low price supremacy challenged this week by a Bloomberg report indicating Target had lower prices on a basket of 150 comparable items.

Irving, Texas -- Michaels Stores Inc. reported that its net income rose 30% to $13 million for the quarter ended July 28, from $10 million in the year-ago period. The retailer said an increase in total transactions and custom framing helped boost second-quarter earnings for the arts and crafts retailer.

Total sales for the quarter ending July 28 rose 4.1% to  $892 million. Same-store sales increased 2.9%.

Michaels filed for an IPO in March.
 

Foothill Ranch, Calif. -- As part of its push toward forcing Wet Seal to put itself up for sale, investor Clinton Group on Thursday named its own slate of board candidates to replace the existing members.

Clinton’s candidates include former United Retail Group chief Raphael Benaroya, former chairman and CEO of Charming Shoppes Dorrit Bern, former Aeropostale co-CEO Mindy Meads, former Aeropostale COO John Mills, and investment banker Lynda Davey.

New York -- H&M will open its largest store in the world, on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, Women’s Wear Daily reported.

The company will open a six-level, 57,000-sq.-ft. store on Fifth Avenue at the corner of 48th Street sometime next year, according to the report.
 

New York -- On Thursday, Saks’ top shareholder Carlos Slim sold 1.5 million of his shares in Saks Inc., remaining the retailer’s No. 1 shareholder but reducing his holdings to 25 million shares.

The Mexican billionaire, through Inmobiliaria Carso SA De CV, sold the 1.5 million shares on Monday and Tuesday.
 

Phoenix -- Sprouts Farmers Markets said Thursday that current CEO Shon Boney will move into the role of chairman, and that current president Doug Sanders will take the reins of the organic grocery chain as president and CEO.

Sanders joined Sprouts in 2002 when the company had only one store. He became president in 2005 after serving in various roles including CIO and COO.
 

Memphis -- Fred’s reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended July 28 rose 19% to $6.1 million, compared with $5.1 million in the year-ago period.

Sales rose 4% to $470.8 million from $452.7 million, and same-store sales dipped 1%.

Profit results missed Wall Street expectations, and the discounter has lowered its full-year earnings forecast.