Mass Merchant

Savannah, Ga. -- Citi Trends announced the resignation of Elizabeth R. Feher, the company’s executive VP and chief merchandising officer.

Ed Anderson, the company’s board chairman, will temporarily resume his previous role as executive chairman and, in that capacity, oversee merchandising and marketing while the retailer searches for a chief merchant.
 

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot's fiscal third-quarter net income more than doubled, but its adjusted results missed analysts’ expectations amid sales declines in North America.

The company earned $91.7 million for the period ended Sept. 24, compared with $32 million a year earlier. But excluding $6 million in restructuring charges and other costs and a $99 million tax benefit, the company lost about $700,000, or break-even per share.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that it is helping ensure customers pay the lowest price on holiday gifts with the launch of its Christmas price guarantee.

Customers who purchase eligible products at Walmart anytime between Nov. 1 and Dec. 25, and then find those same products advertised for less at another store, will receive a Walmart gift card for the difference through Dec. 25. 

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings announced that it is offering free shipping from Oct. 30 through Dec. 19 at Sears.com and Kmart.com. In addition, the company is offering free same-day store pick up. 

Free shipping applies to qualified mailable orders of more than $99 on Sears.com and $49 on Kmart.com or mygofer.com. To receive the savings, customers must enter the promo code SHIPREALJOY on Sears.com, HOLIDAY on Kmart.com and JINGLE49 on mygofer.com.

Target is facing new holiday pricing pressure as Walmart announced the launch of its Christmas price guarantee.

Customers who purchase eligible products at Walmart anytime between Nov. 1 and Dec. 25, and then find those same products advertised for less at another store, will receive a Walmart gift card for the difference through Dec. 25. 

One thing retailers learn, some of them the hard way, is to take no competitor lightly. Consider the case of Dollar General and a toy promotion it is running for the holidays.

NEW YORK — For the second year in a row, Office Depot was recognized in Newsweek magazine’s annual “Green Rankings” as the greenest large retailer in America. Across all industry sectors, Office Depot was ranked as America’s 8th greenest large company, a move up of 10 spots from last year, and was the only retailer in the U.S. Top 10 list.

Office Depot not only achieved the highest aggregate green score in the U.S. retail industry, but also led in Environmental Management, and disclosure of performance data.

More Americans were online in September, and traffic to such major retail sites as Amazon.com and Walmart.com increased, but Target.com traffic was flat in the first full month following a late August site relaunch, according to the most recent “Top 50 Web Properties” report from online measurement firm comScore.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings announced it will offer free shipping on Sears.com for orders qualified orders totaling more than $99, and on Kmart.com for orders more than $49. The chain is also offering free same-day store pick-up services.

The free shipping offer will begin on Oct. 30 and run through Dec. 19.

 

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart on Monday said it will offer shoppers gift cards if they buy items and then see lower prices at other stores during the holiday season.

The chain’s "Christmas Price Guarantee" will apply to good purchased Walmart stores in the United States from Nov. 1 to Dec. 25. Under the program, shoppers who buy a product at Walmart and then find the identical item listed for a lower price at another store can receive a gift card for the difference.