Retail

New York -- A Wednesday report by Reuters said that Jerry Murray, the Wal-Mart finance VP who called the chain's early February sales "a total disaster" in an email made public by Bloomberg, has left the company, effective April 5.

Wal-Mart Stores has confirmed the report, telling Reuters that it was Murray's decision to leave and that his last day at Wal-Mart was Friday.

New York -- Drugstore operator Duane Reade announced Wednesday the launch of its first mobile application for iOS devices.  

The app, free in the iTunes store, is intended to facilitate and customer access to Duane Reade’s pharmacy services, photo printers, prescription refills, Balance Rewards offers, account information and in-store maps.  

Henderson, N.C. -- Verge Connect said Wednesday it is powering Fas Mart/Shore Stop’s first smartphone application, which debuted in April across more than 200 locations primarily in Virginia, Connecticut, Maryland and Delaware.

The new application, called Fas APP, integrates with the retailer’s new secure payment card.

Fas Mart/Shore Stop, which are owned by GPM Investments, selected the Verge Connect platform to help build the company’s digital and mobile presence.

Abilene, Kansas -- Alco Stores Inc. said Wednesday it is moving its corporate headquarters from Abilene, Kan., to a suburb of Dallas, citing the need to be “in a more metropolitan area.”

The new Coppell, Texas offices will give the company easy access to many of its stores, other major retailers and transportation for its workers and business partners, CEO Rich Wilson said in a Wednesday statement.

The move is slated to occur in June.

New York -- A Wednesday report by Women’s Wear Daily quoted activist investor Bill Ackman, whose Pershing Square Capital Management is the largest shareholder of J.C. Penney Co., as saying that he won’t abandon the retailer following this week’s CEO shake-up.

"We are not going anywhere," Ackman told WWD in his first public comments since Ron Johnson was fired as CEO on Monday. "In fact, we're going the other direction. We're digging in."

New York -- Caribou Coffee will close some 80 stores nationwide and turn 88 other locations into Peet's over the next 12 to 18 months, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Caribou, which is based in Minneapolis, went private this year in a $340 million deal with German investment firm Joh. A. Benckiser Group (JAB), which also owns Peet’s.  

Dallas -- Alliance Data Systems Corp. announced its retail services business has signed a long-term agreement to provide private label credit card services for Barneys New York.

Aston, Pa. -- Action Services Group, a national retail and commercial lighting, sign and electrical maintenance and service company announced a service agreement with Morgan’s Foods Inc., operator of KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut Express and A&W restaurants under franchises licenses, to perform sign and exterior lighting service and maintenance for 73 of their franchise units.