Discount Store

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Thursday it is continuing its annual tradition of increasing shareholder payout by raising its dividend by 9%.

Wal-Mart will pay a quarterly dividend of 39.75 cents on April 4 to shareholders of record on March 12. That works out to $1.59 per share for the year. The company has increased its dividend every year since its first declared dividend in March 1974.

According to Wal-Mart president and CEO Mike Duke, the company's U.S. business is back on track, and international results remain strong.

Retailers across the board saw increased sales in February, thanks to unseasonably warm weather and increased consumer confidence that got shoppers out of their house and into the stores.

In a month that was solid overall, the discount sector showed its muscle, turning in a strong February same-store sales performance nearly across the board.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. said Thursday that it has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star program’s highest honor: the Energy Star Corporate Commitment Award.

The award was given in recognition of Sears leadership in energy efficiency and commitment to continuous improvements. Sears is the fifth corporation to earn the distinction in the EPA's history, and is the first company to receive the award since 2005.

Green Bay Wis. -- General merchandise retailers Shopko Stores and Pamida announced Thursday the completion of their previously announced merger that will create a $3 billion company that serves largely rural communities in 22 states.

The combined entity will retain the Shopko name. Shopko will be headquartered in Green Bay and Pamida’s corporate headquarters in Omaha, Neb., will be consolidated into the Green Bay office over the next several months.

Woodbridge, N.J. -- SRS Real Estate Partners said that Burlington Coat Factory has leased 78,303 sq. ft. at Woodbridge Crossing Shopping Center in Woodbridge, N.J.

Burlington Coat Factory, scheduled to open later this year, will be occupying the former The Great Indoors, which closed several years ago.

New York City -- Gordman's will open its first stores in Utah, in March, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.

The value-priced department store operator will open a store in Farmington’s Station Park shopping center on March 23, and also one in The District shopping center in South Jordan, the report said. A third store is set to open, in Riverdale, in July.

“The Salt Lake MSA [metropolitan statistical area between Ogden and Provo] we see as a significant opportunity for us,” CEO Jeff Gordman said, in the report.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Three Wal-Mart Stores executives will share insights at two key retail conferences on March 7.

Salisbury, N.C. -- Bottom Dollar Food announced plans to open eight additional stores in New Jersey. The expansion will more than double the number of Bottom Dollar Food stores in the Garden State, with the first two stores opening March 2.

"We have been pleased with customer reaction to our current five stores in New Jersey and we are very excited to continue serving customers at our additional locations in the market," said Bottom Dollar Food president Meg Ham.