Mass Merchant

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Wednesday announced that it plans to file a registration statement in the United States for a potential initial public offering of a minority ownership stake in Blackhawk Network Holdings, a leading prepaid payments network.

Dallas -- Retalix Ltd., a leading global provider of software and services for high-volume, high-complexity retailers, announced that it has acquired Cornell Mayo Associates, a leading provider of store systems serving top tier department stores and large specialty retailers.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has partnered with music star P!nk for an exclusive edition of her sixth studio album “The Truth About Love.” The deluxe edition of the album features four additional tracks and will be offered exclusively at Target stores nationwide beginning Sept. 18. Fans can now pre-order the deluxe edition at Target.com.

Boston -- CBRE/Grossman Retail Advisors said that Nordstrom will open a new Nordstrom Rack at The Newbry in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood, further expanding its presence in the Boston market to four full-line stores and four Nordstrom Racks.

The approximately 38,000-sq.-ft., two-level store is scheduled to open spring 2013.
 

Toys "R"Usenhanced its layaway program by dropping some fees and Walmart quickly responded.

Toys "R" Us dropped the $5 service fee and minimum purchase requirement from its layaway program in a bid to capture sales of those who begin their holiday shopping early.The company said it changed the rules for its layaway program, instituted in 2009, to waive the $5 upfront service fee and eliminate the minimum purchase requirement for all orders created in stores through October 31.

Topeka, Kan. -- Collective Brands Inc. reported Friday that net income for the second quarter was $9.7 million, compared with a loss of  $35 million last year when it booked nearly $84 million in one-time charges.

Sales for the owner of Payless ShoeSource and Stride Rite grew 6% to $886 million and same-store sales rose 2.9%.
 

Seattle -- Nordstrom said Tuesday it will open two new full-line stores – one in Jacksonville, Fla., and the other in Woodlands, Texas.
 
The Florida store will open at St. Johns Town Center, a Simon Property and Ben Carter-owned shopping center. The 124,000-sq.-ft. store will be two levels and is expected to open in fall 2014.

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu has launched a new, single-size version of its Java Delight brand of premium coffee.