Mass Merchant

Walmart COO Gisel Ruiz and president of health and wellness John Agwunobi are listed as speakers at events taking place within the next 30 days in Northwest Arkansas.

Philadelphia — Franklin Flea’s successful holiday season earned the once-a-week indoor flea market a return booking for April.

Starting back in November, Franklin Flea brought local artisans and vendors together in Center City Philadelphia to showcase handmade, repurposed and antique items as well as an assortment of artisan foods.

Issaquah, Wash. - Costco Wholesale Club’s same-store sales rose 3% in December, beating analysts' estimates of a 1.8% gain. The metric climbed 5% in the U.S. and inched up 1% overseas for the five weeks ended Jan. 5.

Total monthly revenue increased 6% to $11.53 billion.

For the 18-week period, same-store sales were up 3%. In the U.S. the metric rose 4% and 1% internationally.

Retail and consumer products industry veterans Vince Burke, Jim Gillis and Rich Juliano have founded the Burke-Gillis-Juliano Group, a global consultancy focused on the supermarket, mass retail, convenience, drug and specialty retail trade channels.

The consultancy will offer executive management, market strategy, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, business development, product marketing, trade relations and related services to leading retailers, suppliers and vendors in the United States and around the world.

Former shopper marketing executive turned Walmart SVP of creative Andy Murray will share his views on the retail industry’s evolving omnichannel landscape during a keynote presentation at the annual Shopper Marketing Summit.
 

Naples, Fla. - Retail and consumer products industry veterans Vince Burke, Jim Gillis and Rich Juliano have founded of the Burke Gillis Juliano Group, a global consultancy focused on the supermarket, mass retail, convenience, drug and specialty retail trade channels. Burke Gillis Juliano Group offers executive management, market strategy, mergers & acquisitions, private equity, business development, product marketing, trade relations and related services to retailers, suppliers and vendors in the U.S. and globally.

David Glass has kept such a low public profile since stepping down as Walmart president and CEO it was surprising to see his name pop up as the featured speaker at an upcoming event in Northwest Arkansas.

Glass stepped down as CEO of Walmart nearly 15 years ago and he’s scarcely been heard from since, leaving those newer to the company to know him largely as the guy after whom the company’s massive information technology building is named.

Soft sales at leading home goods retailer Bed Bath & Beyond led to a puny comp increase of 1.3%, lower than expected third quarter profits and a downward revision to fourth quarter expectations.