Mass Merchant

Chicago -- Results of a survey released Wednesday by BDO USA found that chief marketing officers at leading U.S. retailers expect a modest 2.9% increase in total holiday sales this year.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart has launched new applications for the iPhone and iPad designed to give its customers tools to plan their weekly shopping trips, as well as a new way to access Walmart both in-store and online.
 

New York City -- Voters in the state of Washington on Tuesday approved a plan to privatize liquor sales, siding with Costco Wholesale Corp. in the costliest initiative campaign in state history, the Associated Press reported. The measure will end Washington's state-run liquor system, which was formed in the 1930s in the aftermath of Prohibition.

Cincinnati -- Macy's net income surged in the third quarter amid strong sales. The retailer on Wednesday also raised its full-year profit outlook and announced plans to build two new stores in New York and one in California.

Macy's earned $139 million for the three months ended Oct. 29, up from $10 million, in the same period last year. Revenue increased 4.1% to $5.85 billion. Same-store sales rose 4%.

When it comes to Black Friday, you’re either in or you’re out. If you’re like me, the whirlwind of retail chaos that swirls around shopping centers the Friday after Thanksgiving can feel a bit overwhelming. The sales and deep discounts are tempting, but wading through crowds and fighting for parking spaces is not my idea of a “happy” holiday. But I have plenty of friends and family – and I’m sure you do too – who look forward to Black Friday with the anticipatory excitement of kids on Christmas Eve.

Washington, D.C. -- With most holiday season merchandise already on its way to store shelves, import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports has started to decline for the fall, and November is forecast at 1.9% below the same month last year, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released Tuesday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

The nearly 1,000 stores Gap Inc. operates under various nameplates that will be open on Thanksgiving are the latest indication of the extreme measures required of retailers to grow holiday sales during challenging and intensively competitive times.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General announced that throughout November, shoppers can record a message of gratitude or send a care package through www.dollargeneral.com/military.

Buffalo, N.Y. -- New Era announced it will open its 10th flagship, in the heart of downtown Chicago. The two-level, 4,500-sq.-ft. store, New Era's largest location to date, will sell licensed and New Era branded headwear, apparel and accessories for men, women and kids. The brand is best known for being the official on-field cap for Major League Baseball.

New York City -- Target Corp. is building a distribution center in Denton, Texas, the Dallas Business Journal reported.

The 360,000-sq.-ft. center is expected to open in March 2013.