Mass Merchant

Ottawa, Canada – Amazon.com has the best price on products in its assortment about 80% of the time. However, the new “Amazon Holiday Pricing Insights” analysis from pricing technology provider 360pi shows that Amazon does have weak spots, and that retailers can compete with the online giant, especially if they can beat Amazon on other non-price purchase factors.

Chicago — Barnett Capital has sold The Shoppes at Prime Village in Schaumburg, Ill., to Integris Ventures for approximately $7.25 million, according to CBRE, which represented Barnett in the transaction.

The acquisition is the first for Integris Ventures in the Chicago area.

Built in 2008, the 38,313-sq.-ft. center is anchored by Aldi. Other tenants include Chicago Prime Steakhouse and Culvers.

Minneapolis -- Target has expanded its Beauty Concierge program to 95 stores in New York and New Jersey, the San Francisco Bay Area and Dallas-Fort Worth. Under the program, stores are staffed with a beauty concierge, a specially trained, brand-agnostic assistant who answers customers' questions in the store and provides personalized, detailed and unbiased information about beauty and personal care products.

Dillard’s reported moderate growth in net income and sales during the third quarter of fiscal 2013. Compared to the same period a year earlier, net income increased 5% to $50.9 million from $48.5 million, while net sales climbed about 1% to $1.51 billion from $1.49 billion.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores on Thursday posted a 2.8% increase in its third-quarter profit. But the chain cut its annual outlook for the second time in three months as its core shoppers continue to feel economic pressures.

"The retail environment, both in stores and online, remains competitive," In a pre-recorded conference call, Mike Duke, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, said the retail environment, both online and in stores, remains competitive.

By Stephen Springham, senior retail analyst at Planet Retail

Three quarters of results and a hat-trick of disappointments — Walmart U.S. again failed to achieve its guidance of flat comps in Q3, reporting a decline of 0.3%. This was not entirely unexpected as an already fragile consumer environment has not been helped by the government shutdown.

Meijer is taking an original approach to Black Friday and generating return visits. The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer will offer deals on three different days — Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday and Saturday — along with coupons for additional deals that consumers can use on their next shopping trip.

Walmart managed to achieve its third quarter profit target despite reporting weaker than expected U.S. sales which prompted the company to issue a tepid outlook for fourth quarter sales at Walmart U.S. stores and Sam’s Club units.