Mass Merchant

New York -- According to multiple reports on Thursday, Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s India unit has received a notice from a federal government agency regarding alleged violations of the country’s foreign investment rules.
 
A spokesman for Wal-Mart said: “We will be working to provide the authorities with relevant information,” but didn’t elaborate on the contents of the notice.

Bharti Walmart Pvt. Ltd., a joint venture between Wal-Mart and India's Bharti Enterprises Ltd., operates 20 wholesale stores in the country.

WAYNE, N.J. — With 12 shopping days left, Toys"R"Us plans to keep most of its stores open for 88 consecutive hours nationwide, from 6 a.m. Friday, December 21 through 10 p.m. Christmas Eve.

New York -- A Thursday report by the Financial Times said that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is in discussions with Turkish retailer Migros Ticaret AS to acquire an 80% stake in the company from London-based private equity group BC Partners.

The Times said that Walmart held meetings with Migros managers in recent days in Turkey but it had not placed a bid for the Turkish retailer. Sources have not been identified and Wal-Mart so far has not commented.

Chicago -- Shoppers continued their holiday quest during the week ending Dec. 8, according to ShopperTrak. Consumer activity drove a 7.8% increase in foot traffic and 6.5% increase in sales from the previous week.  

Consumers, however, were not as active as they were at this time last year, and retail foot traffic decreased 0.7% and sales decreased 1.5% when compared to the same period in 2011.
    

Albany, Ore. -- Vintage Real Estate announced that the company has acquired Heritage Mall, located in Albany, Ore.

The 406,500-sq.-ft. mall features more than 50 major retailers, boutiques and restaurants including Target, Sears, Ross Dress for Less and Old Navy, Maurice’s, rue 21, Zumiez, Famous Footwear, Game Stop and Bath & Body Works. It was remodeled in 2006 and is 50% occupied.

Chicago -- Claire's Stores announced Wednesday the recent opening of company-owned-and-operated Claire's stores in Italy and Luxembourg, bringing the retailer’s European presence to 15 countries.

According to Claire’s European president Beatrice LaFon, the first Italian store was opened in the Milan Fiordaliso shopping centre, and the first Luxembourg store was opened in Esch Sur Alzette on Rue de l'Alzette.

During December, the company said it also plans to enter Indonesia on a franchise basis.

Growth in sales and membership income at Costco helped the company produce earnings per share of 95 cents and beat analysts’ estimates by two cents.

New York -- In a Tuesday night address at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. president and CEO Mike Duke didn’t shy away from discussing the fiscal cliff, saying that the current debate is having a negative impact on consumer spending.