Retail

Walmart U.S. president and CEO Bill Simon and Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker announced at the SelectUSA 2013 Investment Summit that three suppliers have made new domestic manufacturing commitments that will create 385 jobs.

The move is part of the retailer’s previously announced pledge to buy an additional $50 billion in U.S.-made products over the next decade.

Walmart said that Elan-Polo, Louis Hornick & Company and EveryWare Global will produce footwear, curtains and glassware, respectively.

Publix credited its customer service for helping fuel third-quarter sale sales of $7 billion, a 5.6% increase from last year’s $6.7 billion. Comparable-store sales for the third quarter of 2013 increased 4.1%.

The company reported net earnings for the quarter of $359.9 million, a decrease of 2.3% from $368.4 million in 2012. Earnings per share for the third quarter decreased to $0.46 for 2013, down from $0.47 per share in 2012.

Newegg, a leading electronics-focused e-retailer in the U.S., has kicked off this year’s Black November shopping event. The online retailer first unveiled Black November in 2010.

The company will be offering exclusive deals on the first four days of Black November across 60 categories, including computers, electronics, automotive, sporting goods and jewelry.

Gigwalk has made a major upgrade to its platform that involves new higher skilled, higher paid “Gigs” (jobs on the Gigwalk app) and free training programs based on worker certifications. The move makes Gigwalk the only mobile work marketplace that allows workers to advance their careers through special courses and certifications.

Ahold USA has appointed former executive for Asian retailer Dairy Farm International Gordon Reid as president of its Giant Food of Landover, Md., division.

Reid is replacing interim president and Ahold USA EVP operations Bhavdeep Singh. Singh served in the role of interim president following the departure of Anthony Hucker, who resigned from Giant-Landover in September to become EVP and chief strategy officer for St. Louis-based Schnuck Markets.

Blue Nile, a leading online retailer of diamonds and fine jewelry, experienced its sixth consecutive quarter of double digit growth.

Net sales increased 10.1% to $98.9 million for the third quarter, compared to $89.8 million for the year-ago quarter.

Gander Mountain has promoted Mike Owens to the position of president and COO. Owens was the company’s EVP and COO since joining in 2009.
 
“This is an exciting time for Gander Mountain, and we are very optimistic about our future,” said chairman of the board and CEO David Pratt, who has overseen a sizeable expansion in the past 18 months. “In Mike we have a true leader in driving further growth and success for Gander Mountain across our network of stores. I offer my personal congratulations to Mike on a well-deserved promotion.”

Big Lots plans to close down its wholesale operations, Big Lots Wholesale, Consolidated International and Wisconsin Toy, by the end of the current fiscal year. The move is the latest in the company’s strategy to refine its business model and focus on its retail stores.

As things wind down for the wholesale business its inventory will be liquidated. The company says that it will assimilate employees into its retail operations wherever and whenever possible throughout the next 90 days.