Strategy

CINCINNATI — Macy's Inc. reported that earnings were 32 cents per diluted share for the third quarter of 2011, ended Oct. 29, compared with earnings of 2 cents per diluted share in last year's third quarter, or 8 cents per diluted share in last year's third quarter excluding expenses of 6 cents per share associated with the repurchase of debt.

When it comes to Black Friday, you’re either in or you’re out. If you’re like me, the whirlwind of retail chaos that swirls around shopping centers the Friday after Thanksgiving can feel a bit overwhelming. The sales and deep discounts are tempting, but wading through crowds and fighting for parking spaces is not my idea of a “happy” holiday. But I have plenty of friends and family – and I’m sure you do too – who look forward to Black Friday with the anticipatory excitement of kids on Christmas Eve.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart has launched new applications for the iPhone and iPad designed to give its customers tools to plan their weekly shopping trips, as well as a new way to access Walmart both in-store and online.
 

Princeton, N.J. -- Digital and interactive agency Rosetta said Wednesday it has teamed with appliance and electronics retailer Hhgregg to launch a mobile e-commerce site to complement the re-designed Hhgregg.com website.

Hhgregg said it began working with Rosetta in early 2011 to develop an e-commerce platform that would provide the same high level of customer service as is provided in-store and to enable the company to compete more effectively with national multichannel retailers.

BELLEVILLE, Ill. — The Walmart Foundation has announced a two-year $750,000 grant to Veterans Green Jobs. With this funding, Veterans Green Jobs will connect with 1,000 veterans through its training and employment initiatives and place many of those veterans into full-time green sector jobs, the foundation reported. This is the latest commitment under the Walmart Foundation's recently announced five-year, $20 million giving initiative aimed at combating the high veteran unemployment rate.

New York City -- Uniqlo, the fast-growing apparel retailer from Japan, has implemented queue management systems from Lawrence, a Tensator Group Company, at its two new flagships in New York City (Fifth Avenue and 34th Street).

The custom-designed sleek, stainless steel Tensabarrier guidance system is designed to echo the ultra-modern store interior while helping guide customers easily through the checkout process and increase efficiencies in customer flow.

New York City -- Voters in the state of Washington on Tuesday approved a plan to privatize liquor sales, siding with Costco Wholesale Corp. in the costliest initiative campaign in state history, the Associated Press reported. The measure will end Washington's state-run liquor system, which was formed in the 1930s in the aftermath of Prohibition.

Chicago -- Jones Lang LaSalle announced Wednesday that it has launched an iPad app prototype for its retail leasing team to support the 98 million-sq.-ft. nationwide retail portfolio it manages.