Mass Merchant

Chicago -- Galleria Retail Technology Solutions said Tuesday that Lithuanian retailer Maxima Grupe will use a range of Galleria solutions to automate and optimize its merchandising strategy.

Maxima plans to implement Intelligent Store Optimization, Behavioural Cluster Planning, Customer Centric Merchandising and Galleria Foundation Services in more than 400 stores across Eastern Europe, according to Edvinas Volkas, chief food purchaser at Maxima group.

Gurnee, Ill. -- Construction has begun on a 140,000-sq.-ft. full-line Macy’s that will anchor a new full-price wing at Gurnee Mills, in Gurnee, Ill.

With the addition of the department store, which is expected to open in late summer 2013, Gurnee Mills said it will be distinguished as the first hybrid shopping destination of its kind, combining full-price, outlet and value retail all under one roof.

The world’s largest retailer is taking steps to display its home improvement prowess through a digital marketing campaign centered on a “Projects Made Simple” area at Walmart.com.

The area is organized by home improvement project. For instance: how to stain a deck, install a water filter system, caulk a window or install a towel bar. In the deck video, an unidentified handy-man narrator explains, “All the tools are available at Walmart to get you going."

Derby, Conn. -- DLC Management Corp. and Hutensky Capital Partners have announced a joint-venture acquisition of Walmart Plaza, a 199,393-sq.-ft. shopping center in Derby, Conn.

Anchored by Walmart, Adams Hometown Market and CVS, the center adds to DLC’s Connecticut holdings of nine shopping centers and 1.4 million sq. ft.
 

Framingham, Mass. -- The TJX Cos. reported Tuesday that net income rose to $419 million for the quarter ended April 28. On an earnings per share basis, adjusted profit results showed a 41% increase over the prior year period.

Sales increased 11% to $5.8 billion and same-store sales climbed 8%.

Carol Meyrowitz, CEO of TJX Cos., said: “We saw significant increases in customer traffic across all divisions in the first quarter over last year, which we believe points to the strength of our values and our brand content.”

New York -- Liz Claiborne Inc. said Tuesday that it has officially changed its name to Fifth & Pacific Cos., following an initial announcement in January that it would do so.

The company sold the Liz Claiborne and Monet brands to J.C. Penney Co. in November, freeing it up to concentrate more fully on its Juicy Couture, Lucky Brand and Kate Spade labels.

NEW YORK — Kohl’s, Nordstrom and Target  ranked first in their categories in a new survey by Harris Interactive. The 2012 Harris Poll EquiTrend (EQ) study surveyed Americans about brands across several retail segments, revealing which brands prompted them to open their hearts—and consequently—their pocketbooks.

New York -- The world’s largest retailer is taking steps to display its home-improvement prowess through a digital marketing campaign centered on a “Projects Made Simple” area at Walmart.com.

The area is organized by home improvement project. For instance: how to stain a deck, install a water filter system, caulk a window or install a towel bar. In the deck video, an unidentified handy man narrator explains, “All the tools are available at Walmart to get you going.”