Mass Merchant

Walmart may be the nation’s largest grocer, but it’s not because of the compelling presentation of fresh produce or appetizing meats. The stuff is cheap, sure, but the quality isn’t always there, and even when it is, the manner in which products are packaged and merchandised detracts from quality perception. Then there are the issues that arise with so many shoppers, not to mention their unattended kids, pawing through displays of tomatoes, bell peppers and grapes. Items get bruised, or roll on the floor and get run over by carts.

WASHINGTON — While the calendar shift of Easter may have taken a toll on retailers' march performance, April sales should see a boost, as the National Retail Federation noted that consumers intend to spend more this year than in 2010.

A new Harris Poll EquiTrend study out this week shows Target, not Walmart, as the Value Retail Brand of the Year. That would be bad enough news for Walmart given the company’s prospects in the United States are closely tied to its reputation for low prices, but this is the second year in a row Target has been named the top Value Retail Brand and the gap with Walmart even widened this year.

NEW YORK -- Target continues to pull ahead of Walmart in the value retail category, according to a recent Harris poll. The company was named the 2011 Harris Poll Equitrend value retail brand of the year. This is the second consecutive year Target has led the way in the value retail category.

Target lead the way with a ranking of 74.1, while Walmart had a ranking of 70.8. The industry average in the value retail category was 67.3.

MINNEAPOLIS --Same-store sales at Target declined 5.5% during March, in line with the company’s expectations for a down month due to the late arrival of Easter. The March decline is expected to be offset by strength in April with comps forecast to be in the teens.

New York City -- Shoppers surprised analysts in March by spending stronger than expected during the month, despite rising gas prices, cooler-than-normal temperatures and a late Easter. The Thomson Reuters Same-Store Sales Index rose 1.7% in March, beating estimates, which called for a decrease of 0.7%.

Union, N.J. -- Bed Bath & Beyond reported Wednesday that profit for the fourth quarter ended Feb. 26 rose 25% to $283.5 million, compared with $226 million a year earlier.

The company, which forecast earnings growth for the current year that would beat Wall Street estimates, also said it expects to open 45 new stores this year across its banners , which also include Christmas Tree Shops and buybuy Baby, and expects to continue renovating and relocating existing stores.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Target announced that it will offer an exclusive version of Alison Krauss & Union Station's "Paper Airplane," Krauss’ 14th album and the band’s follow-up to 2004’s Grammy-award-winning album "Lonely Runs Both Ways." The deluxe edition of Paper Airplane is now available for pre-order at Target.com and will be offered at Target retail stores nationwide beginning April 12.