Mass Merchant

Issaquah, Wash. – Costco Wholesale Corp. reported 3% year-over-year net income growth in its third quarter, to $473 million from $459 million in the year-ago period, as sales and membership fees improved. However, it came in short of the roughly $482 million in profit analysts had expected.

Net sales for the quarter increased 7% to $25.23 billion, from $23.55 last year.

Cincinnati -- Macy’s announced an agreement for Macy’s to anchor the new Ka Makana Ali‘i in Kapolei in West O‘ahu, Hawaii. Current plans call for the 103,000-sq.-ft., one-level store to open in mid-2016.

Walmart president and CEO Doug McMillon was among the dozens of high-profile business executives from the world of technology who participated in the inaugural Code Conference this week. Organizers of the event, which cost $6,500 to attend, made available a brief video of McMillon’s comments on a wide range of topics.

Addison, Texas — Cadence McShane Construction Company has completed the renovation and new construction assignment at Golden Triangle Mall in Denton, Texas, on behalf of owners GTM Development Ltd., a joint venture created by Cencor and The MGHerring Group.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has reportedly been given a May 30 deadline to settle a labor dispute in the Chinese city of Changde. According to the Wall Street Journal, Changde officials want Wal-Mart to reach an out-of-court settlement with workers at a store there which is scheduled to close.

Philadelphia – The board of directors of Urban Outfitters Inc. has authorized the repurchase of 10 million common shares under a share repurchase program. Pursuant to this program, the company, at its discretion, may repurchase its common shares from time to time, subject to market conditions and at prevailing market prices.

Urban Outfitters has repurchased all of the shares available under its previous share repurchase programs, including the 10 million common shares authorized by the board of directors in August 2013.

New York -- Doug McMillon, CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, said the company plans to ramp up the company's pace of partnerships and acquisitions as part of a broader strategy to better compete with digital rivals, Bloomberg reported.  

“We’ve been more acquisitive lately, especially for talent,” McMillon said, according to the report. “And our pace of acquisitions, I think, is going to accelerate.”

Target has formed a digital advisory council as part of its efforts to accelerate its digital transformation. The company will look to the panel of technology industry leaders to help guide its omnichannel strategies.

The council includes experts with varied tech backgrounds, and includes Ajay Agarwal, managing director of Bain Capital Ventures; Amy Chang, CEO/co-founder of Accompani, former head of Google Analytics; Roger Liew, chief technology officer of Orbitz Worldwide; and Sam Yagan, CEO of the Match Group and CEO/founder of OkCupid.