Mass Merchant

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart has launched an initiative to hire any honorably discharged US military veteran within the first 12 months after they have been on active duty. Through a program dubbed Veterans Welcome Home Commitment, Wal-Mart anticipates hiring more than 100,000 veterans by 2018.

AUSTIN, Texas — RetailMeNot.com, a U.S.-based digital coupon website, has upgraded its free Android coupons app to include location-based offers for thousands of retail locations at hundreds of general shopping malls nationwide.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holding Corp. reported a bigger-than-expected net loss of $279 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2013, compared to net income of $189 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2012. The retailer also said that it is considering selling its protection-agreement business in an ongoing effort to raise cash as it struggles to improve its profits.

At nearly 25,000 sq. ft. and with 40-ft. ceilings, the Topshop flagship at the Grove, an open-air center in Los Angeles, is big and bold, with touches of whimsy evident throughout the space.

The store, which marks the British retailer’s West Coast debut, offers personal shopping and concierge services with private suites and dressing rooms encased by expansive glass walls. It carries the retailer's complete range of product lines including some exclusive to the location. It also houses the Topman brand.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has pleaded guilty to charges that it inappropriately transported and disposed of common consumer products, such as bleach and fertilizer, while reiterating that the misdemeanor violations of certain environmental laws occurred years ago and had no specific environment impact.

MERRIMACK, N.H. — Brookstone, a multichannel specialty retailer, has appointed J.W. Childs executive William E. Watts as its new executive chairman of board.

Canton, Mass. -- Destination XL reported disappointing financial results for the first quarter. The company’s net income fell 56% from $2.3 million in first quarter 2012 to $1 million, while same store sales grew 0.8%. Total sales also declined 2%, from $95.5 million to $93.6 million. Destination XL cited a colder-than-normal spring and a 60% drop in catalog sales as a contributor to declining quarterly performance.