Strategy

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.

Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Regional grocer Meijer said Tuesday it will hire 12,000 new employees in preparation for the 2012 holiday shopping season. Most positions will be part-time.

According to Janet Emerson, executive VP of operations for Meijer, “Our goal is to deliver the best customer experience and the lowest prices, and as we continue to grow it's so important that we have the right levels of staff and the right people in those roles."

Nashville, Tenn. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is facing its third regional gender bias lawsuit since the Supreme Court rejected a nationwide class action filed by female workers in California and Texas.

Three female employees sued Wal-Mart in federal court in Tennessee on Tuesday, claiming discrimination against female workers in the company’s Region 43 which consists of Tennessee and parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia and Mississippi.

NEW YORK — Saks Inc. has opened its first Saks Fifth Avenue store in Kazakhstan, in the city of Almaty.

Monroeville, Pa. -- Chattanooga, Tenn.-based CBL & Associates Properties announced that, on the heels of the grand opening of a 110,000-sq.-ft. J.C. Penney store, construction has commenced on a state-of-the-art 12-screen Cinemark Theatre.  Both are part of CBL’s redevelopment of Monroeville Mall, located near Pittsburgh in Monroeville, Pa.

The grand opening for Cinemark Theatre is anticipated for late 2013.

Boston -- Boot and leather goods manufacturer Frye Co. will open its second U.S. retail location – on Newbury St. in a historic building in Boston’s Back Bay. It joins Frye’s only retail store in the Soho area of New York City.

The 11,000-sq.-ft., three-level flagship store is slated to open spring 2013. It will reflect a fresh vision of Frye’s heritage and commitment to craft, and house specially designed areas showcasing the brand’s product.

Vancouver -- LightHaus  announced that Foot Locker has deployed the LightHaus Visual Customer Intelligence (VCI) solution to measure customer traffic and sales conversion rates at all of its Champs Sports stores in the U.S. and Canada, as well as its Foot Locker Canada stores. The chain is adopting LightHaus VCI in stores in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia.