Mass Merchant

Target CFO Doug Scovanner moderated analysts’ second-quarter and full-year earnings expectations slightly, although it can at times be difficult to tell given the language used to communicate in the Wall Street guidance game.

With the dust settled from Target’s first-quarter earnings announcement last week, it has become quite apparent the company would not be faring well were it not for the beneficial effects of the PFresh remodeling program and last fall’s introduction of 5% REDcard Rewards.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. — Sears Holdings has named William Phelan as acting CFO, replacing Michael Collins, currently SVP and CFO, who resigned last week to pursue another opportunity, the company reported in an SEC filing.

Collins will remain with the company until June 10 in order to ensure a smooth transition, Sears noted in the filing.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. — Sears Holdings announced that Sam Solomon has joined the company as SVP and president of its tools business.  Solomon is responsible for developing and driving growth and profit opportunities for one of the company's cornerstone businesses, the company reported.  He was recently CEO and president of The Coleman Company Inc.  

SAN FRANCISCO — The rising cost of goods and a challenging economic environment took its toll on Gap Inc.'s first-quarter sales and earnings. Gap Inc. reported that net income for the first quarter decreased 23% to $233 million compared with $302 million for the first quarter last year. First quarter diluted earnings per share was 40 cents.  

OBERLIN, Ohio — Walmart and Target are the top go-to retail stores for college students, according to a new study.

CLEVELAND — Glidden announced that on May 21 to 22 it will hold demonstrations at nearly 1,000 Walmart stores nationwide to showcase its exclusive ready-to-go paint testers with built-in brush attached to the lid. The two-ounce paint testers are available in all 306 colors in the Glidden Brilliance Collection palette. 

NEW YORK — Each year, the graduating class of the Master of Professional Studies degree program in cosmetics and fragrance marketing and management at FIT researches and forecasts trends or growth concepts within a specific area of the beauty industry, which they then present to an audience of industry executives.

Target sponsored this year's presentation titled "Beauty For All: Innovations in Mass Retail." On hand to deliver keynote remarks during the event was Will Setliff, VP marketing for Target.

Bronx, N.Y. -- New Rochelle, N.Y.-based Welco Realty Inc., an X Team partner, announced that Daffy’s opened its first store in Bronx, N.Y.  

The retailer opened a store in Bay Plaza Shopping Center, one of the largest strip shopping centers in New York City. Welco Realty negotiated the deal on behalf of the landlord, Prestige Properties & Development Co.  

Los Angeles -- Samuels & Co. Inc. said it has recently completed five transactions for Merlin Entertainments Group, the second largest location-based entertainment company in the world which develops, owns and operates outdoor theme parks and indoor attractions.