Strategy

New York City -- A federal appellate court in California has dismissed a lawsuit filed against Pier I by a disabled patron who claims he was unable to navigate the company’s store in Vacaville, Calif., because of architectural features that inhibited his movement, according to Dallas Business Journal.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot is buying Swedish office supply company Svanstroms Gruppen in order to expand its presence there.

Terms were not disclosed.

Office Depot first entered the Swedish market in 2004 through a strategic alliance with AGE Kontor & Data AB.

"We've been successful in this market and see continued growth and high potential in the region," said Charlie Brown, president of Office Depot's international division, said in a statement on Tuesday.

El Segundo, Calif. -- Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market on Wednesday said it will open its first stores in Northern California in March and April, with the first two scheduled to open March 2 in San Jose and Danville. Nine additional locations are scheduled to open in the area within the two-month time frame.

Fresh & Easy also said it also plans to open two stores in San Francisco early this year.

The National Retail Federation’s Annual Convention & Expo kicked off  at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on Sunday, Jan. 9, with a lineup of power speakers and plenty of buzz. It is the 100th anniversary of  annual event, which attracts retailers from around the world.

This year, the four-day NRF show featured more than 600 exhibiting companies, new retail technology pavilions, and presentations from a stellar line-up of top-tier retailers. Total attendance was estimated at more than 18,500, with representatives from 70 countries.

New York City -- Quiksilver is targeting its next phase of corporate development using industry-specific software from SAP AG. By replacing its existing business software systems, the sports-themed lifestyle retailer aims to better support the global development, production and distribution of its diversified mix of branded apparel, footwear and accessories.

MINNEAPOLIS — There were three takeaways to come out of Supervalu’s third-quarter analyst call Tuesday morning: the deep discount banner Save-A-Lot will be the most significant catalyst for growth going forward; Supervalu aggressively is addressing pricing issues that have had consumers who are more accustomed to the “hi” in the grocer’s "hi-lo" pricing strategy shopping elsewhere; and while traditional Supervalu banners ACME, Shaw’s and even Jewel-Osco do not have a “For Sale” sign on their respective front lawns, a

St. Louis -- Brown Shoe Co. announced Monday it has promoted Diane Sullivan as president and CEO, effective May 26.

Sullivan ha been president and COO.

Current CEO Ron Fromm will remain chairman following a transition period ending in May.

New York City -- A retail industry expert presented research Monday at the National Retail Federation convention in New York City that showed shoppers will continue to spend more this year, spurred by a slowly improving job market and an uptick in income.

However, Ira Kalish, director of global economics for Deloitte, added that enough shoppers are still struggling with their finances that any increase will be modest.