Strategy

WASHINGTON — U.S. retail sales rose for the 10th consecutive month in April, increasing 0.5% to $389.4 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Thursday.

The government agency also disclosed retail sales experienced a 7.6% jump above the year-ago period. Across retail sectors, grocery stores during April rose 1.5% to nearly $45.9 million, up from $45.3 million in March, while health and personal care stores, which have experienced positive numbers over the past several months, saw a surprise drop of 0.3% to nearly $22.7 million for the month.

New York City -- All Saints, the U.K. fashion retailer known for its dark interiors and edgy threads, has been bought by British investment firm Lion Capital and U.S. private equity firm Goode Partners, Britain’s The Telegraph reported. The purchase is likely to speed the chain’s expansion in the United States.

MONTREAL — Mega Brands has entered a deal with Saban Brands to develop construction toys based on the kids' action series "Power Rangers Samurai," the latest Power Rangers franchise.

The Mega Bloks Power Rangers Samurai construction toy sets will launch in spring 2012, Mega Brands said. Mega Brands chief innovative officer Vic Bertrand said the new toys will offer fans "an engaging and immersive building experience."

New episodes of the "Power Rangers Samurai" series premiere Saturdays at noon on Nickelodeon.

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz told Britain’s Sky.com that the chain’s focus on improving its offerings and encouraging innovation as opposed to cost-cutting and store-closings are the reasons for its turnaround.

“You can’t “cut your way to prosperity,” Schultz said. “You have to create growth and opportunity.”

Dallas -- Transplace, a leading provider of transportation management services and logistics technology, announced that Anna’s Linens has selected the third-party logistics provider (3PL) as its 2010 Business Partner of the Year.

Anna’s Linens recognized Transplace, which manages all of the specialty retailer’s domestic transportation activities, for delivering supply chain improvements via the 3PL’s managed services solution and logistics technology.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Supervalu banner Save-A-Lot has appointed a new leader, replacing company veteran Bill Shaner, who has lead the division since 2006.

Eden Prairie, Minn. -- Supervalu has named Santiago Roces, a former Wal-Mart Stores executive, as the CEO and president of its discount Save-A-Lot division. Roces, who most recently served as senior VP and general manager of Wal-Mart's small-format division, replaces Bill Shaner, who led Save-A-Lot since 2006 and worked for Supervalu for 27 years.

Supervalu it plans to double the number of Save-A-Lot stores, growing it to more than 2,400 locations by the end of 2015.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — HanesBrands announced that CFO E. Lee Wyatt has resigned effective June 30 and current controller and chief accounting officer Dale Boyles will serve as interim CFO while the company conducts a search to fill the position.

Wyatt, 58, who joined HanesBrands before its 2006 spinoff to oversee the development of the company’s financial, accounting, and external reporting capabilities, is leaving the company to seek similar opportunities, according to HanesBrands.