Events

Lowe’s is competing in the price wars -- especially with Internet retailers -- by using the merchant mind-set of “dead net pricing.” 

Speaking at the UBS Global Consumer Conference Wednesday, Lowe’s CEO Robert Niblock described his company’s improvements in the price wars.

Husqvarna has launched a new walk-behind mower with All-Wheel Drive technology, engineered to tackle the toughest mowing challenges.

The HU800AWD features a heavy-duty steel deck and a Honda GCV 190 engine. Complementing its All-Wheel Drive feature, the HU800AWD has wheels with an aggressive tread pattern, which provides additional traction and maneuverability.

Additional features include:

• Side guard and grass comb, to improve edging performance;

• Large, dust-blocking bag;

Many areas of the Affordable Care Act remain unsettled

Retail companies should expect this year and 2014 to be a wild roller coaster ride of health insurance changes for retailers. That assessment came from Neil Trautwein, VP, employee benefits, National Retail Federation, who said that retailers need to take prudent actions to comply with the requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

New York -- Costco Wholesale Corp. will expand its Issaquah, Wash., headquarters, according to published reports on Friday.

The Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce reported Friday that Issaquah's director of economic development, Keith Niven, said the club retailer would expand the headquarters to take up as much as 1.5 million sq. ft.

The Tacoma, Wash., News Tribune reported that the company currently takes up three buildings that are full.

Savannah, Ga. -- Citi Trends reported Friday a fourth quarter loss of $704,000, narrowed from a $5.3 million loss in the same period last year.

Revenue slipped 2% to $175.7 million, meeting Wall Street forecasts. Same-store sales plummeted 11.8%.

Conviction records must be weighed with caution under new EEOC guidelines

The use of criminal background checks by employers is being closely watched.

NEW YORK — Macy's has added chef, restaurateur, author and television star Stephanie Izard to its Culinary Council, an exclusive team of the country's finest chefs who serve to inspire the way Macy's customers shop, cook and eat at home. A James Beard Award nominee, Food & Wine "Best New Chef" and winner of Bravo's "Top Chef" (Season Four), Izard will serve as an ambassador for Macy's Home department alongside fellow Macy's Culinary Council chefs including Rick Bayless, Cat Cora, Nancy Silverton, Ming Tsai and Wolfgang Puck. 

New York -- Target is expanding its retail clinic presence in the Chicago area, according to the Chicago Tribune.
 
The retailer plans to open three in-store health clinics — two in the suburbs and one in the city — in the Chicago area, the report said. Construction is scheduled to start on May 28, and grand openings are planned for Aug. 18. The Target on Division Street, scheduled to open in October, will also have a clinic.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart President and CEO Mike Duke introduced First Lady Michelle Obama at the Business Roundtable Wednesday with the following remarks:

"We are pleased to be joined by our guest today, First Lady Michelle Obama.  Mrs. Obama speaks movingly about the service, strength, and sacrifice of our current generation of troops, veterans, and military families.  It is a personal privilege to share some of her work and to start our discussion around creating opportunity for this new group of heroes.

HUDSON, Ohio — Shortly after Michaels reported Q4 sales growth, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores will officially open its 800th store on March 21 in Slidell, La.

“Reaching our 800th store is a testament to the hard work of Jo-Ann Team Members around the country, our customers’ passion for crafting and sewing, and their appreciation of our retail concept as a one-stop creative destination,” said Travis Smith, chief executive officer and president for Jo-Ann.