Mass Merchant

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples on Thursday said it will close 225 stores by the end of 2015 amid falling fourth-quarter revenue, increased competition, and a shift to online sales. The big-box office-supply category, which was battered by the recession, has come under increased competition from Walmart and other discounters and online retailers such as Amazon. Most recently, Staples’ rivals Office Depot and OfficeMax completed a $1.2 billion merger.

New York – Following a bitterly cold and stormy January that left many retailers with disappointing monthly sales figures, February’s sales results were generally s bit more encouraging. Chain store sales posted a gain of 2.7% for the fiscal month of February on a year-over-year basis, according to a tally of comparable-store sales compiled by the International Council of Shopping Centers.

An estimated 3,000 suppliers and Walmart’s top executives are scheduled to participate in the retailers Product Sustainability Expo to be held from April 29 through May 1.

Promotional materials for the event, to be held at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers, Ark., describe it as an opportunity to recognize and celebrate amazing advances in sustainability and to discover emerging opportunities and innovations that represent a new standard in retail.

Tampa, Fla. — RMC Property Group has acquired a 60,000-sq.-ft. shopping center in Palm Harbor, Fla., for $6.75 million, or $112 per square foot. It is located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 19 and Nebraska Avenue.

Anchor retailer Office Depot leases 100% of the center, which was built in 1997.

The NPD Group has signed a market information services agreement with Nielsen, a leading global provider of information and insights into what consumers watch and buy, for school and office supplies retail market data and analytic services.  

By combining Nielsen’s market information, including sales data from food and drug channels, with NPD’s existing school and office supplies business, which covers office superstores, mass merchants, e-commerce and other retailers, NPD says it will deliver the industry’s most complete view of the marketplace.

Northbrook, Ill. – The U.S. Secret Service has reportedly arrested three members of a family living in Northbrook, Ill., for running a sophisticated shoplifting ring that stole items from stores ranging from Maryland to Texas during the past 10 years.

New York -- Target Corp.’s chief information office, Beth Jacob, is resigning, effective Wednesday, as the retailer continues to deal with the fallout from its widespread data breach. Jacob has been in the position since 2008.
 
In a statement released to the Associated Press, Target's president and CEO Gregg Steinhafel said the chain is overhauling its information security and compliance structure.  
    

Boston -- Walmart continues to extend its lead and again achieves its price leadership position over Target, in Kantar Retail’s semi-annual pricing study. Target’s overall grocery and consumables basket has been more expensive than Walmart’s since the study was performed in January 2011.

With an overall branded basket 3.8% less expensive than Target’s, Walmart extended its lead over its rival from June 2013 when Walmart’s overall basket was only 2% cheaper than Target’s.