eCommerce

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples has revealed plans to shrink its overall store footprint and grow its break rooms as a means to lower costs and increase sales productivity.

In a presentation to analysts at a Jefferies & Co. conference in New York City on Wednesday, Staples U.S. president Demos Pareros said new stores will be about 15,500 sq. ft. to 16,000 sq. ft., down from the current prototype of 18,000 sq. ft. and the 2000 prototype of 24,000 sq. ft.

Austin -- Whole Foods Market co-CEO Walter Robb told investors at a Jefferies Global Consumer Conference that the now-300-store chain is expected to grow to 1,000 stores in the United States.

The organic grocer sees opportunity in Canada as well, and Robb said it expects to grow its store count there from six to 35.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Sales may have been flat overall, but a closer look revealed there was a lot to be positive about in Rite Aid’s fiscal first quarter 2012 earnings, as the company managed significant expense improvement and stronger same-store sales growth. Bottom line: Rite Aid narrowed its losses considerably, and that ain’t all expense control.

Minneapolis -- Elaborating on previously announced plans to downsize its brick-and-mortar footprint, Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn said this week that the electronics retailer is launching plans to wall off parts of its big-box stores and sublease the space to smaller retailers, such as grocers, beauty supply stores, home furnishing outlets and others.

UNION, N.J. — Bed Bath & Beyond dominates the home and housewares retail space by consistently reporting strong revenue and earnings growth, and this quarter was no exception.

The company reported net earnings of 72 cents per diluted share ($180.6 million) in the fiscal first quarter ended May 28, an increase of approximately 38% versus net earnings of 52 cents per diluted share ($137.6 million) in the same quarter a year ago.

SALT LAKE CITY — O.co, formerly Overstock.com, announced that its CEO, Dr. Patrick Byrne, was named executive of the year at the 2011 American Business Awards. O.co was also named best overall company (up to 2,500 employees).

"This is a great achievement for O.co," Byrne said. "I thank and applaud all my colleagues on this great achievement."

Kansas City, Kan. -- Legends Outlets Kansas City said Wednesday that the region’s first Chico’s Outlet and Soma Intimates Outlet will open on June 24 at the Kansas City outlet shopping destination.

The Chico's Outlet's new store will be located between BCBG MaxAzria and Five Guys Burgers & Fries, and the Soma Intimates Outlet's new store will be located between Gymboree and Claire's.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- Hennes & Mauritz AB reported Wednesday that net income for its 2Q dropped 18% to $673 million, from $817 million in the year-ago period.

The Swedish fashion retailer blamed higher procurement costs and promotional offers for the lagging performance.

Sales edged up to $5.1 billion from $4.96 billion in the prior year quarter, but gross margin shrank to 61.7% from a previous 65.9%.