Strategy

Oakbrook, Ill. -- McDonald's Corp. said Monday that its global same-store sales climbed 5.1% in July, buoyed by ongoing strength abroad and sales of its McCafe beverage and staples such as Chicken McNuggets.

By segment, same-store sales rose 5.3% in Europe. The Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa experienced a 4% gain, while the United States posted a 4.4% increase.

Last month McDonald's reported a 15% increase in second-quarter net income as it continued to entice customers to buy new menu items.
 

Operating internationally is full of pitfalls and political peculiarity, as Walmart has again discovered in South Africa where various government officials are attempting to wring additional concessions from the company related to its acquisition of Massmart.

There was a lot of negativity in the air this week regarding Walmart. Jefferies & Co. analyst Dan Binder downgraded the company on Tuesday and proceeded to appear on CNBC where he expressed concerns about company specific issues at Walmart regarding turnaround initiatives not gaining traction in the time frame he had hoped for.

Operating internationally is full of pitfalls and political peculiarity, as Walmart has again discovered in South Africa where various government officials are attempting to wring additional concessions from the company related to its acquisition of Massmart.

NEW YORK — Online lingerie retailer BareNecessities.com announced that it has named Jay Dunn as its new CMO.

Dunn was the former VP/CMO of Lane Bryant and the man behind the company's controversial "Red Bra" campaign that was banned from ABC for being "too sexy." The campaign went viral and ended up winning several awards and being named Brandweek's top story of 2010. 

SALISBURY, N.C. — New stores, higher retail inflation and positive calendar impact drove sales up for Delhaize America, the U.S. sector of the Delhaize Group, during the second quarter ended June 30.

The division, which operates such banners as Food Lion, Hannaford and Bottom Dollar Food, reported that revenues rose 4.3% to $4.9 billion, while comparable-store sales increased 1.6%. Operating profit, however, dropped 2.7% to $205 million.

SYDNEY, Neb.  — Cabela's is marking its entry in Arkansas with plans for a 100,000-sq.-ft. store in Rogers. The store is scheduled to open in the summer of 2012. The retailer also has also announced plans to build stores in Wichita, Kan., and Tulalip, Wash., as well as Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, all expected to open in 2012.

New York City -- Safeway is embarking on an extensive renovation project to build or extensively revamp 13 stores in the Bay Area, the Sacramento Bee reported.

The company is moving into three former Mervyn's department stores at shopping centers in Pleasant Hill, Campbell and Petaluma.

To read the story, go to sacbee.com/2011/08/03/3814684/safeway-to-revamp-build-stores.html
 

Brentwood, Tenn. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space to four new tenants at Peartree Village, located in in Brentwood, Tenn.

Petco opened an 11,120-sq.-ft. store, NeighborMD Urgent Care has leased 3,736 sq. ft. of medical office space, and Serenity Nail Spa has leased 2,339 sq. ft. First Watch, a breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant, has opened its first Tennessee location in 3,586 sq. ft., occupying a former Hollywood Video space. All stores are now open, and the center is 100% leased.

Sydney, Neb. -- Cabela’s announced plans to build a store in Rogers, Ark. The 100,000-sq.-ft. store, Cabela’s first in Arkansas, is scheduled to open in the summer of 2012. The retailer also has also announced plans to build stores in Wichita, Kan., and Tulalip, Wash., as well as Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, all expected to open in 2012.