Retail

Warrendale, Pa. -- Teen fashion retailer Rue21 opened its 900th store on March 21, in the Southern Hills Shopping Center of West Plains, Missouri. The company also reported that its fourth quarter income increased 16% on strong sales.

New York -- In another sign that British retail giant Tesco is reconsidering its U.S. Fresh & Easy division, the company sent an email sent to shoppers in which it acknowledged that the grocer doesn't know "if Tesco will continue to own the company," the Los Angeles Times reported.
 
Fresh & Easy spokesman Brendan Wonnacott said that Tesco is still reviewing its American chain, and will make an update in April as part of the company's full-year results, the report said.

Minneapolis -- Supervalu announced appointments to its executive team, including Janel Haugarth who will remain with the company as EVP and president of independent business and supply chain services. The announcement comes as Sam Duncan, Supervalu president and chief executive continues finalizing his leadership team following the sale of five retail banners to Cerberus-led investment group AB Acquisition LLC, a transaction that was completed on March 21.

In other appointments:

Dayton, Ohio -- Walmart holds on to the top spot in the annual ranking of the 50 most valuable U.S. retail brands from branding consultancy firm Interbrand. The discounter’s brand value is put at $141 billion (up 1% from the 2012 report.). By comparison, the second-highest ranked U.S. brand, Target Corp., has a value of $25 billion. The Home Depot is solid at number three, with a brand value of nearly $23 billion.

Ridgefield, Conn. -- Fashion-forward retailer and designer Vince Camuto has tapped Schimenti Construction to build his new store at 667 Madison Avenue in Manhattan.

Located across from Barney’s, the location will join Vince Camuto’s two existing stores in Manhattan, along with its upcoming location in the Flatiron district.

New York -- Macy’s announced that it will expand its online order fulfillment center in Goodyear, Ariz., to accommodate continued sales growth as part of the company’s omni-channel strategy. The company is expected to invest more than $35 million in capital in the project.

New York -- Eddie Lampert, chairman of Sears Holding Corp., has signed a contract to remain as CEO of the retail company at a salary of $1 per year, the Associated Press reported. Sears announced in January that Lampert would take over as CEO after Louis J. D'Ambrosio stepped down due to family health issues.
    
Lampert’s new contract is effective Feb. 1, according to a regulatory filing yesterday. Lampert also has the opportunity for a bonus of up to $2 million in cash or stock and up to $4.5 million in stock per year.

Boston -- City Sports announced that it will open its 22nd retail location in New York City, on March 26. It will be City Sports' third location in New York City.

The new store, in the city’s financial district, will be the company’s largest retail location to date, with nearly 11,000 sq. ft. of selling space devoted to athletic apparel, footwear and equipment.

"We are absolutely thrilled to be opening a third retail location in New York City," said City Sports president and CEO Edward Albertian.