Strategy

Sam Club president and CEO Ros Brewer on Thursday named Charles Redfield as Sam’s newest EVP merchandising to replace Linda Hefner who will relocate to Chicago, according to an internal announcement.

New York -- J. Sainsbury Plc is in talks with retailers in the United States and South America to license the technology behind Sainsbury’s Brand Match, a price promise that has fueled sales outperformance, according to a report by Bloomberg.

The Brand Match program ensures shoppers don’t pay more for branded goods such as Coca- Cola at Sainsbury than at competitors by checking more than 14,000 items, including offers and promotions at the point-of-sale. Customers are given a coupon if an item is priced cheaper at a rival.

Milford, Conn. -- Sandwich mega-chain Subway said Friday that it has set 2012 development goals of 1,200 North American locations and, toward that end, said a large contingent of company representatives will be in attendance at the International Council of Shopping Centers’ RECon event in Las Vegas, May 20-23.

Lake Success, N.Y. -- Excess Space Retail Services said it is celebrating its 20-year anniversary this year. The real estate consulting and advisory firm, which specializes in surplus real estate disposition and lease restructuring for retailers, was founded by president and CEO Michael Wiener in May 1992 and currently has offices in Lake Success, N.Y., and Huntington Beach, Calif.

Highlights of its 20 years in the industry include more than 16,000 retail stores successfully disposed and more than 7,000 retail leases effectively restructured.

Harrisburg, Pa. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said that DSW will open a 17,400-sq.-ft. store at Capital City Mall in Camp Hill, Pa.

To accommodate the footwear and accessories retailer, PREIT said that 5,000 sq. ft. of retail space is being added to the mall. A 2013 opening for DSW is anticipated.

New York -- Ann Inc.'s fiscal first-quarter net income increased a better-than-expected 5%, boosted by growing sales at its Loft division. The chain, which also operates Ann Taylor, said Friday that it earned $28.7 million in the three months through April 28, up from $27.3 million a year earlier.

NEW YORK — JCPenney executives laid out further details of their strategy going forward during the chain’s quarterly conference call with investors. The call followed the release of JCPenney’s first quarter results, when it reported a worse-then-expected loss of $163 million, and a 19% drop in same-store sales.

JCPenney said it would launch a new private label apparel brand, jcp, for both men and women. The brand is set to debut in August.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Hibbett Sports Inc. said Friday that its fiscal first-quarter net income increased 24% on higher demand for sneakers and other athletic gear. The retailer also raised its profit outlook for the year.

For the three months through April 28, Hibbett earned a better-than-expected $26.4 million, up from $21.3 million in the same quarter last year.