Mass Merchant

WAYNE, N.J. — It may be August, but Toys"R"Us is getting a jump on the holiday season. The retailer is expanding its price match guarantee on items available at its Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us stores nationwide to include selected online retailer pricing. 

Omaha, Neb. — Westroads Mall has begun work on a major, two-phase renovation and remodeling of the three-level, enclosed, 1.2-million-sq.-ft. super-regional shopping center in Omaha, Neb.

Phase I is underway with mall-wide painting plus interior and exterior LED lighting installation. Phase I will also upgrade the malls energy management system. Plans call for Phase I to finish before the holiday season.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. reported that its second quarter profit dropped 13% to $611 million in the quarter ended Aug. 3, down from $704 million a year earlier, amid start-up costs related to its entry into Canada. Total company profits, excluding start-up costs related to Canada, increased 6.1%. Similar to other retailers, the chain issued a muted annual profit forecast as it deals with a still uncertain economy and cautious consumers.

New York -- The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index remained flat in July as improvements in real housing prices and labor markets offset weakness in other areas. The Index, which tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending, remained at 4.4 this month.  

ORLANDO — Walmart is kicking off its official start to the holiday season Friday, Sept. 13, with a no-fee layaway program.

A 3% same store sales decline at Staples North American retail units contributed to weaker than expected second quarter results and prompted the company to reduce its full year financial forecast.

Total company sales for the quarter ended August 3, declined 2% to $5.3 billion with the closure of 103 stores in North America and Europe responsible for about half the decline. Profits for the period declined to $104 million, or 16 cents a share, two cents worse than analysts forecast, compared to $125 million, or 19 cents a share the prior year.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — TJX’s net income for the second quarter ended Aug. 3 rose a better-than-expected 14%. The off-price retailer also increased its profit outlook for the year.

The company earned $479.6 million for the quarter, which ended on Aug. 3, up from $421.1 million in the same quarter last year.

DALLAS — Closeout retailer Tuesday Morning announced the appointment of Michael Rouleau to CEO, effective immediately. Rouleau, who was appointed interim chief executive in March 2013, will also continue to serve on the company's board of directors, which he joined in November 2012.