Strategy

SANTA CLARA, Calif. and BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that its video-on-demand service Vudu is now available for the iPad. 

iPad users can go to Vudu.com and browse through Vudu's entertainment content library, which includes more than 20,000 blockbusters, Hollywood classics, independent films and TV episodes, then rent or purchase and watch them instantly. For one touch access to Vudu, customers can add a Vudu icon to their iPad desktops by clicking the "Add to Home Screen" button when on Vudu.com.  

New York City -- Carrefour SA said Tuesday that it is not in discussions to sell its Brazilian unit to Wal-Mart Stores.

Newspaper Valor Economico had reported that the U.S. retailer was in discussions with Carrefour to acquire the French retailer’s Brazilian unit. The acquisition would have made Wal-Mart the largest retailer in Brazil after the acquisition. 
 

Cary, N.C. -- C-store operator The Pantry reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended June 30 rose to $19 million from $18 million the year before.

Same-store merchandise revenue dipped 1.5%.
 

Virginia Beach, Va. -- Divaris Real Estate announced Tuesday the appointment of Eric Bucklew as general broker for its Virginia Beach office.

Bucklew will focus on retail sales and leasing services to support the expansion of DRE's portfolio of leased and managed properties in the Hampton Roads, Va., region.

Philadelphia -- Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust announced that almost half-a-million sq. ft. of leasable space was signed or opened across its mall portfolio since the end of April.

According to PREIT, leases have been executed with J.C. Penney, Nordstrom Rack, Bravo Cucina Italiana and Forever 21 at Willow Grove (Pa.) Park, in the reconfigured space formerly occupied by Strawbridge’s.

SECAUCUS, N.J. — Ashley Stewart, manufacturer of plus size apparel, announced that its board of directors has appointed Celia Clancy as president and CEO. 

Chicago -- A Tuesday report by NPD Group said that U.S. restaurant unit counts declined by 2%, which translates to a loss of 9,450 restaurants since last year.

According to the report, most of the total unit declines were independent restaurants. Chain restaurant unit counts remained relatively stable, according to NPD research.

CITY OF COMMERCE, Calif. — 99 Cents Only Stores reported that its consolidated net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 was $17.7 million, or 25 cents per diluted share, compared with $16.8 million, or 24 cents per diluted share, for the prior year.