Strategy

SAN FRANCISCO — Fast Retailing will open its first West Coast Uniqlo flagship store in the Union Square neighborhood of San Francisco.

New York -- Find out how to harness the power of LEAN to engage employees, eliminate inertia and turbocharge the pace of work processes at a Webinar presented by Chain Store Age and Ryder Supply Chain Solutions on Wed., Oct. 3, 201 2:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT).

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation released its 2012 holiday forecast on Tuesday, which shows sales increasing 4.1% to $586.1 billion, down from last year's 5.6% growth.

However, the NRF's 2012 estimate tops the 10-year holiday sales growth average of 3.5%.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation released its 2012 holiday forecast on Tuesday, which shows sales increasing 4.1% to $586.1 billion, down from last year’s 5.6% growth.

However, the NRF’s 2012 estimate tops the 10-year holiday sales growth average of 3.5%.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is offering its customers a new way to load money onto prepaid cards.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Grocer Safeway Inc. said Tuesday it has extended its corporate social responsibility commitment with the introduction of a new program it calls Heart of Safeway Pledge, which encourages consumers and communities to be more conservative and socially responsible.

Chicago -- Survey results released Tuesday by BDO USA revealed that 51% of retail finance chiefs foresee a 5.9% increase in online sales for full-year 2012.

That compares to 4.1% and 4.5% expected increases in same-store sales and total sales, respectively.

The BDO Retail Compass Survey of CFOs, which examined the opinions of 100 CFOs at leading retailers located throughout the country, found that CFO sentiments were conservative compared to last year, when the respondents predicted 11.9% online sales growth.

PURCHASE, N.Y. and QUINCY, Mass. — Coinstar, an operator of change collecting kiosks, announced that customers utilizing its service at all Stop & Shop stores, now have the option of placing the full value of their coins, without fees, onto a Stop & Shop gift card. In addition, customers also have the option to select a gift card from a variety of national retailers and e-retailers. The gift cards are immediately activated and can be used the same day.