Strategy

Duluth, Ga. -- NCR Corp. announced that it will be installing 10,000 SelfServ Checkout lanes to more than 1,200 Walmart locations in the United States during 2013.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Walmart’s expansion of self-service options continues its commitment to offer customers the choice in how they want to check out, improving the overall checkout and customer service experience.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens has formally set up a new company, jointly owned with Alliance Boots, as part of their strategic partnership’s synergy program.

The new company, called Walgreens Boots Alliance Development, will be based in Bern, Switzerland.

No other details were released.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings announced that both Sears and Kmart stores will be open on Thanksgiving Day. The company said its made the decision based in part on feedback from members of its Shop Your Way loyalty program, who sought more flexible Black Friday in-store shopping times and eagerness to shop doorbuster deals.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco's sales for October rose 9% to $7.67 billion from $7.01 billion during the similar period last year.

Total comps for the month increased 7%, consisting of a 7% increase in the United States, and a 9% increase internationally. Excluding the impact of fuel, U.S., international and total same-store sales increased by 5% each.

Chelmsford, Mass. -- The ratio of retail hires to applicants has gone up to the highest number since August 2008, rising to 4.8% in October, according to the Kronos Retail Labor Index. (The Index is defined as the ratio of hires to applications within a given month, expressed as a percentage. A level of 3% means that for every 100 applications received, three hires occurred.)

Centerville, Ga. -- Jones Lang LaSalle announced that Gemini Real Estate Advisors has awarded the firm the leasing and management of Houston County Galleria, a 483,893-sq.-ft. regional shopping center located in Centerville, Ga., and anchored by Belk, J.C. Penney and Sears.

Jana Reeves will continue on as the center’s general manager, said Jones Lang LaSalle.
 

Ithaca, N.Y. -- Brixmor Property Group announced that Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts will open a new store in an 18,350-sq.-ft. space at Cayuga Mall in Ithaca, N.Y.

Brixmor, based in New York City, is the owner of Cayuga Mall.

New York -- The TJX Cos. turned in the strongest performance among the discounters in October, reporting a 7% comp sales increase on Thursday.

According to TJX CEO Carol Meyrowitz, the above-plan performance has prompted the retailer to raise its outlook for the third quarter and full year. “We believe the momentum we are seeing in all of our businesses … bode well for the holiday selling season,” she said.

TJX sales for the period advanced 11% to $2.1 billion.