Walmart

For children on a long journey, the typical refrain is, “Are we there yet?” However, for retail IT practitioners and executives, the challenge is not in waiting to get “there,” but figuring out what “there” even is. The question for the IT journey on which retailers are now traveling can be more appropriately phrased as, “Where are we going?”

Wine with screw top lids was bad enough for purists, now retailers are filling their shelves with wine-based products package in cans.

NEW YORK - Fitch expects U.S. sales growth to modestly improve in the coming holiday season, with retail sales (excluding auto) expected to grow at 3%-4% in November/December versus 2.8% year to date. Fitch expects online sales will grow in the 12%-14% range during the fourth quarter, in line with year to date levels.

Walmart has appointed Tom Horton, former chairman and CEO of American Airlines, as the 16th member of its board of directors. Horton will also serve on the audit committee.  

The merchandising organization at Walmart is being transformed again following the departure of EVP and Chief Merchandising Officer Duncan Mac Naughton, which triggered several other high level moves.

Alco Stores is offering retailers a cautionary holiday tale this Christmas as going-out-of-business sales have begun at the regional discounter’s 198 locations.