Strategy

Walmart’s policy of prohibiting employees from accepting the smallest of gratuities has been in place for a long time and for good reason. Veterans of the company will tell you that early on it was a key driver of success because there was a time when the retail industry was rife with merchants who tended to make buying decisions that were in their best interest as opposed to those of customers.

Membership upgrade activity at Sam’s Club could see some improvement in the months ahead if a new software program lives up to its billing. Sam’s Club said it will use DemandTec’s Deal Management software service to enhance its eValues program, which provides members at the $100 Plus level with customized savings offers. Sam’s created the program to added value to its premium membership level and encourage upgrade activity.

WASHINGTON — Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have announced a $3 million initiative designed to help D.C. residents get the skills and training they need to gain employment. The program will offer literacy, customer service and retail training to 2,000 District residents.

The retirement of veteran merchant John Westling was announced internally at Walmart last Friday, and in typical fashion his departure has created new opportunities for other executives as responsibilities are reallocated.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets earlier this week named Mike Mignola VP store operations and Bruno Garisto VP center store sales and merchandising.

The ongoing emphasis on expense reduction and every day low prices saw Walmart curtail its promotional activity during July, according to the last monthly report from Market Track examining promotional activity at the nation’s leading retailers. Click here to see results for the nation’s top 15 retailers.

Purchase, N.Y. -- A report released Thursday by MasterCard Advisors said that total retail sales in July sustained momentum despite inconsistencies in other areas of the economy.

According to MasterCard SpendingPulse, which tracks national retail and service sales, excluding auto sales retail sales in July 2011 grew by 8.7% year-over-year. 

Retail sales are on par with the average growth of the previous three months.

Milwaukee -- Goodwill Industries said Thursday it has teamed with Prolitec to introduce fragrance technology to 44 of its stores in southeastern Wisconsin and metropolitan Chicago.

The rollout was preceded by a four-store test, and now the 44 locations, which include four under construction or in the process of opening, will utilize a signature scent featuring hints of sweet orange and honeysuckle, custom-designed by Milwaukee-based Prolitec.

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us said Thursday it has completed a 5.38 megawatt rooftop solar power system at the company’s largest distribution center in Flanders, N.J.

The solar roof is estimated to offset 72% of the electrical needs for the Toys “R” Us facility, making it the largest operational rooftop solar installation in North America.

Woodland Hills, Calif. -- Great American Group said Thursday it has been retained to manage the going-out-of-business sale of all Pierre Deux stores, a French furnishing retailer that operated across 13 states.

Pierre Deux ceased business operations and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection on June 23.

“The trustee has charged us with selling the company’s inventory in all of the stores,” said Scott Carpenter, executive VP and the head of the Retail Services Division for Great American Group.