Mass Merchant

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Sears, along with Bruno Schiavi's Jupi International, have teamed up with Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian to launch the Kardashian Kollection in 400 Sears stores nationwide in August. In a first for the sisters, the new brand will be included in exclusive shopping destinations created inside Sears department stores, the company reported.

Washington, D.C. -- Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to be up 8% in January over the same month last year, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by NRF and Hackett Associates.

New York City -- J. Crew Group received no rival bid during a solicitation period and will stick with its nearly $3 billion buyout offer made by two private equity firms in November, according to Reuters. J. Crew agreed in November to be taken private by the two firms. It was able to solicit higher bids until Saturday.

New York City -- The shareholders of South African Massmart chain have overwhelmingly accepted Wal-Mart's offer to buy 51% of their company, the chief executive said Monday, paving the way for Wal-Mart to enter Africa.

Massmart said the proposal was approved by 97% of shareholders who voted Monday -- 75% approval had been needed. Wal-Mart offered 148 rand (about $20) per share in a 17 billion rand (about $2 billion) deal.

The deal will have to be approved by South Africa's anti-monopoly regulators.

The Auburn Tigers will celebrate their BCS national championship win over the Oregon Ducks by having their trophy displayed at select Walmart stores. The crystal football known as the coaches’ trophy will be on display today at a Walmart store in Montgomery, Ala., then tomorrow at a Walmart in Columbus, Ga., and then finally Sunday at a store in the school’s hometown of Auburn, Ala.

The tour, sponsored by Dr. Pepper, gives fans the opportunity to view the trophy and even have their picture taken with it. 

At this year’s NRF show, Peter LaFond, Walmart’s marketing director for online media and smart network, showcased how his company utilizes its in-store video network to deliver targeted, relevant messages to its customers.

Jackson-Hewitt tax preparation kiosks are now open in more than 2,000 Walmart stores in anticipation of an onslaught of consumers eager for their refund to arrive as soon as possible. Nearly half of those who receive a refund get it in February, according to IRS data cited by Walmart, so the retailer is touting the presence of Jackson-Hewitt kiosks in its stores and a preparation fee of $38 for the most basic of returns, the 1040EZ, with only two W2s.

Dow Jones this morning reported that South African retailer and Walmart takeover target Massmart Holdings has given assurances it will continue to honor all agreements with labor unions and local labor laws if the buyout goes through. That’s what Walmart and Massmart have been saying since the deal was announced last year but they have to keep saying it because union activists are everywhere in the world.

MINNEAPOLIS  —Target announced that its chief marketing officer, Michael Francis, will serve as the executive committee sponsor of Target’s entrance into the Canadian market.  In this role, Francis will oversee the extension of Target’s brand as part of the corporation’s first-ever expansion of its stores beyond the United States, the company reported. 

Hoffman Estates, Ill.-based Sears Holdings released its year-end outlook for the fiscal year 2010 ending Jan. 29.

For the full year, the company expects a net income of $210 million, with a fourth-quarter income expectation of between $370 million and $450 million, offsetting the company’s past two quarterly losses.

The company also posted up-to-date comparable-store sales for both its Sears Domestic and Kmart stores.

For the quarter-to-date, comparable-store sales for its Sears Domestic stores were down 5.3%, with Kmart stores seeing an increase of 3.4%.