Mass Merchant

The restructuring of Walmart’s senior executive ranks continues with the latest round of appointments involving some familiar leaders in new roles with curious titles as well as some key resignations.

Target may have ruffled some feathers in the past with what some considered a lack of plus-size offerings. But the retailer seems to be making up for it now.

Target says it is launching a brand new plus-size line, Ava & Viv, which will be sold both online and in stores starting on Feb. 22.

New York -- Target Corp. is launching a brand new plus-size line, Ava & Viv, which will be sold both online and in stores starting on Feb. 22.

While this is not Target's first foray into plus-size fashion, the news does signify a new direction for the store. Not only does Ava & Viv boast a broad range of sizes, it was also created with great style in mind, something that previously seemed like less of a priority for the brand.

It's the end of an era for Safeway and Albertsons, as the companies announced they have completed their merger, ending a nearly year-long process that began in 2014.

AB Acquisition LLC, the owner of Albertson's and New Albertson's, Inc., will acquire all outstanding shares of Safeway. The merger will create a diversified network that includes 2,230 stores, 27 distribution facilities and 19 manufacturing plants with more than 250,000 employees across 34 states and the District of Columbia.

Solid Gold pet food is partnering with Petco to donate an estimated $500,000 of premium pet food to selected pet charities nationwide.

The program kicked off earlier this month at more than 1,300 Petco locations across the U.S. finalize the placement of Solid Gold's new package design.

The popularity of Disney’s Frozen license and a final surge of spending allowed most U.S. toy retailers to grow sales this past holiday season, according to new data from NPD.

Seattle -- Nordstrom announced three new upcoming locations for Nordstrom Rack.

The company will open a 36,000-sq.-ft. store at Wayne Towne Center in Wayne, New Jersey, in fall 2015. This will be the sixth Nordstrom Rack in New Jersey.

In fall 2016, Nordstrom Rack will open a 35,540-sq.-ft. store at Hamilton Crossing in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The property is owned and being developed by The Goldenberg Group.
 

New York -- The family of James McNair, the comedian killed in the automobile accident that also seriously injured comedian Tracy Morgan, has reached a financial settlement with Wal-Mart Stores Inc, Reuters reported.

The out-of-court settlement is the first legal resolution from the crash, which occurred on June 7, 2014, on the New Jersey Turnpike.

Terms of the settlement were confidential, according to the report, and Walmart did not admit liability in the settlement.