Discount Store

NEW YORK — Many retailers reported solid sales gains for December, but the deep discounts and promotions that shoppers have come to expect cut into profits. A range of retailers, including Target and The Children’s Place, reduced their earnings outlooks. Overall, retail sales rose 3.4% at the 22 retailers tracked by the Thomson Reuters same-store sales index, compared with the 3.3% analyst forecast.

Columbus, Ohio -- A slowing trend in retail same-store sales leveled out at 3.6% growth in December as shoppers' spending plans firmed up in time for the holidays while remaining value-focused, according to Kantar Retail.

New York City -- Many retailers reported solid sales gains for December, but the deep discounts and promotions that shoppers have come to expect cut into profits.  A range of retailers, including Target and The Children’s Place, reduced their, reducing their earnings outlooks. Overall, retail sales rose 3.4% at the 22 retailers tracked by the Thomson Reuters same-store sales index, compared with the 3.3% analyst forecast.

NEW YORK — Macy’s Inc. announced a strategic plan on Wednesday to open new stores in select markets as well as to close a series of underperforming units. As part of the plan, five Macy’s department stores will be shuttered in spring 2012 – in Topeka, Kan.; Laurel, Md.; Parma, Ohio; Antioch, Tenn.; and Texas City, Texas. Five new Macy’s stores will open in 2012 and 2013.

Framingham, Mass. -- The TJX Cos. announced Wednesday several senior management shifts, including moving current Marmaxx Group head Michael MacMillan to the company’s European division.

MacMillan, who has been in charge of the company’s largest division comprised of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, will now be senior executive VP of TJX Europe. MacMillan replaces Paul Sweetenham, who recently resigned.

The current president of HomeGoods, Richard Sherr, will return to Marmaxx Group as senior executive VP.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass — TJX announced that it has moved some of its executives to new roles to better position the company for future growth. Michael MacMillan will assume leadership of the company’s European division as SVP TJX Europe, moving from his current post as head of The Marmaxx Group (the company’s largest division comprised of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls). Richard Sherr will return to The Marmaxx Group as Senior EVP, having most recently held the post of president HomeGoods.

Green Bay, Wis. -- Shopko Stores Operating Co. said Wednesday that Shopko and Pamida will merge to create one of the largest U.S. retailers focused on serving smaller and rural communities. The combined entity will have nearly 350 locations in 22 states and plans to accelerate new store growth in the second half of 2012 and beyond. Financial details of the merger, expected to close in mid-February, were not disclosed.

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Shopko Stores Operating Co. said Wednesday that Shopko and Pamida will merge to create one of the largest U.S. retailers focused on serving smaller and rural communities. The combined entity will have nearly 350 locations in 22 states and plans to accelerate new store growth in the second half of 2012 and beyond.

Financial details of the merger, expected to close in mid-February, were not disclosed. Both companies are owned by affilates of the private equity firm Sun Capital Partners.