Strategy

MINNEAPOLIS — While other retailers are beefing up their sales staff ahead of the holiday season, Best Buy Co. said Tuesday that it has cut its 2011 seasonal hiring plans to about half of last year’s staff numbers, in a move to curtail costs. This year’s plans call for 15,000 holiday workers, compared with 29,000 hired last year.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s Department Stores has announced the grand opening of 30 new stores across 20 states. According to the company, these openings will create approximately 4,000 new jobs.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — In her new role as president and CEO of Walmart Canada, Shelley Broader will be tasked with addressing new competition from Target and other retailers expanding into Canada. Broader, who joined Walmart Canada in 2010 as chief merchandising officer, will assume her new role effective immediately.

Prior to Walmart, Broader held a range of key positions with Michael's and Hannaford Bros.Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar Stores announced Wednesday that it plans to open 450 to 500 new stores in fiscal 2012, a 50% jump compared with the number of openings in fiscal 2011, and will renovate, relocate or expand over 1,000 locations. The discounter also reported that its fiscal fourth-quarter net income rose 8%.

“In fiscal 2012, we intend to accelerate investments to drive sales and profitability,” said Howard Levine, chairman and CEO.

DENVER — Quiznos will open restaurants in Meijer locations in Michigan, the quick service restaurant announced Wednesday. The relationship between Quiznos and Meijer is the most recent in a series of successful partnerships and store openings in Quiznos’ non-traditional development strategy, the company announced.

VEVEY, Switzerland — Wan Ling Martello, who currently serves as Walmart's EVP global e-commerce of emerging markets, has been named EVP and CFO of Nestlé, effective April 1, 2012. Martello will replace Jim Singh will retire in March 2012 after 35 years with the company.

SEATTLE — Walmart announced that ihas been selected as one of the Washington Green 50 list by Seattle Business Magazine as part of its annual Green Washington Awards competition. Walmart was a finalist in the retail category.

New York City -- Innovation in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning will be driven by cost savings from more efficient energy use and pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to a recent from Pike Research.

New York City -- The Limited will enter the women’s plus-size business, Women’s Wear Daily reported. The new offering, called eloquii by The Limited, will launch online in October, with stores to follow next year, the report said. 

The merchandise mix will include sportswear, dresses and accessories, with sizes ranging from 14W to 24W.

Covina, Calif. -- Ikea officially plugged-in the solar energy system installed at its store in Covina, Calif. The 57,000-sq.-ft. photovoltaic array consists of a 451-kW system, built with 2,002 panels.

Ikea contracted with Gloria Solar, the U.S. operating group focused on the photovoltaic business within the family of E-Ton Solar Group, for the development, design and installation of this customized solar power system