Strategy

New York City -- Apple will spend $900 million on its stores in fiscal 2012, up from $614 million this year, according to Tech Observer, which cited a new research note from UBS analyst Maynard Um.

The report also said that that Apple plans to give shoppers the ability to complete their own in-store purchases via its iOS application for the iPhone. The new application will apply only to accessories and on-the-shelf items, and not more costly item like the iPhone, iPad, or Macs.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart chief merchandising officer Duncan Mac Naughton expressed optimism about the retailer’s prospects for the holiday season and beyond late Tuesday during comments at a Bentonville Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce function, which attracted more than 500 people.

Houston -- ATM owner Cardtronics said Wednesday it has signed an agreement to provide ATM services to grocer Harris Teeter.

As part of the agreement, Cardtronics has initially installed 100 ATMs for Harris Teeter in Florida, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Additionally, the agreement provides Cardtronics the exclusive right to install ATMs in new Harris Teeter stores, as well as to transition all existing non-bank branch cash machines at Harris Teeter stores to Cardtronics' ATMs, over time.
 

Indianapolis -- Electronics and appliance retailer Hhgregg reported Wednesday that net income for the quarter ended Sept. 30 rose to $6 million from $3.9 million in the year-ago period.

Sales for the period rose 29% to $618.6 million. Same-store sales rose 1.5%, returning to positive growth after a 5% decline last quarter.

Savannah, Ga. -- Citi Trends said Wednesday it has secured a new, five-year, $50 million credit facility through Bank of America to replace its prior $20 million credit facility.

The new facility includes a $25 million uncommitted “accordion” feature that under certain circumstances could allow the company to increase the size of the facility to $75 million.
 

NEW YORK —Totsy, a private sales site dedicated to offering exclusive deals to parents, babies and children, announced that it has named a new chief technology officer and a new creative director.

The company has appointed Richard Minns as chief technology officer. Minns brings 15 years of corporate experience in technology and e-commerce, most recently from 1800FLOWERS.com.

Conshohocken, Pa. -- Ikea announced on Wednesday plans to install solar energy panels at three additional U.S. locations, bringing the number of Ikea U.S. stores with a solar program to 23 – more than half of the home-furnishing retailer’s domestic presence.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is giving customers the chance to preview its Black Friday specials early. The company announced that customers can sign up at Walmart.com or Facebook.com/Walmart to receive an early preview of its specials on the widest assortment of top electronics, toys, apparel and more.