Retail

Deerfield, Ill.  -- Walgreens on Saturday will officially open its 8,000th store nationwide and its first flagship on the West Coast. The store, located in Los Angeles at the iconic corner of Sunset and Vine, features an extensive collection of innovative offerings, products and services, many of which are not standard fare.

The review of strategic alternatives remains ongoing at Supervalu despite reports about discussions breaking down with one prospective investor.

Minneapolis -- Christopher & Banks said its net income totaled $3.6 million for the quarter ended Oct.27, compared with a loss $13.7 million in the year-age period.

Revenue rose 2%, to $117.3 million from $114.6 million. The chain has closed more than 100 stores during the last year, but strong sales at its existing locations boosted revenue. Same-store sales rose 13.7%.

Christopher & Banks noted that effective Nov.26, LuAnn Via joined the company as president and CEO.

It’s been awhile since Sears and the phrase "same store sales increase" were used in the same sentence, but that changed Thursday morning when the recently spun off hometown and outlet division product a 3.1% third quarter increase.

Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores said sales for its third quarter ended October 27, increased 3.3% to $557 million, driven almost entirely by the 3.1% comp increase and to a lesser extent by a net increase of nine stores that grew the total store count to 1,111 units. Profits increased 29% $8.8 million or 29 cents a share.

Chicago-based General Growth Properties has unveiled a major holiday mall-marketing program, offering up $30,000 worth of prizes for shoppers nationwide.

Coined the 12.12.12 Days of Gifts, the national sweepstakes launches Dec. 1 and continues through Dec. 12, prompting shoppers to visit their local GGP mall’s website or Facebook page for a chance to win a prize each day. The grand prize is a $12,000 Shop Etc. Gift Card.

Same store sales in November at Target plunged unexpectedly while apparel discounters and Costco kept humming and Kroger extended its string of consecutive comp increases to nine years.

The nations second largest grocer this week reported a third quarter profit, excluding some non-recurring items, of 46 cents that was three cents better than analysts forecast and its identical store sales increased by 3.2%. Total sales including fuel for the period increased 5.9% to $21.8 billion.

Newton Upper Falls, Mass. -- Shoe manufacturer and retailer Clarks Cos. announced it has put a new real estate team in place to help reach its aggressive expansion goals.

According to Somerset, England-based parent C&J Clark, its retail division has opened nearly 300 company-owned, full price and outlet stores in the U.S. over the last 18 years and plans to add 30 to 50 new stores per year, with a goal of doubling its footprint over the next five years.

NEW YORK — Tecate returns to the ring Saturday, December 8, to sponsor the fourth boxing showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez.