Retail

New York -- Importers and manufacturers who sell to America's major retailers are split as to whether they believe they will see growth and / or reductions in sales for the spring season, according to Capital Business Credit, a non-bank lender that services the retail sector.

Dayton, Ohio -- Walmart holds on to the top spot in the annual ranking of the 50 most valuable U.S. retail brands from branding consultancy firm Interbrand. The discounter’s brand value is put at $141 billion (up 1% from the 2012 report.). By comparison, the second-highest ranked U.S. brand, Target Corp., has a value of $25 billion. The Home Depot is solid at number three, with a brand value of nearly $23 billion.

Ridgefield, Conn. -- Fashion-forward retailer and designer Vince Camuto has tapped Schimenti Construction to build his new store at 667 Madison Avenue in Manhattan.

Located across from Barney’s, the location will join Vince Camuto’s two existing stores in Manhattan, along with its upcoming location in the Flatiron district.

New York -- Macy’s announced that it will expand its online order fulfillment center in Goodyear, Ariz., to accommodate continued sales growth as part of the company’s omni-channel strategy. The company is expected to invest more than $35 million in capital in the project.

New York -- Eddie Lampert, chairman of Sears Holding Corp., has signed a contract to remain as CEO of the retail company at a salary of $1 per year, the Associated Press reported. Sears announced in January that Lampert would take over as CEO after Louis J. D'Ambrosio stepped down due to family health issues.
    
Lampert’s new contract is effective Feb. 1, according to a regulatory filing yesterday. Lampert also has the opportunity for a bonus of up to $2 million in cash or stock and up to $4.5 million in stock per year.

Salisbury, N.C. — Delhaize's Food Lion, Harveys and Reid's chains have earned their 12th consecutive Energy Star award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Framingham, Mass. — Staples has launched its own Windows Store app for Staples.com. The app provides customers with access to Staples Rewards and features tools that make it easier for small businesses to research and shop for everything they need for their business or home office, the company said.

San Francisco — Williams-Sonoma reported that fourth-quarter earnings per share grew 15% to $1.34 and that quarterly revenue grew to $1.406 billion versus $1.268 billion in 2011, with comparable brand revenue growth of 4%.

Fiscal 2012 earnings per share grew 14% to $2.54. Net revenues for the year grew to $4.043 billion versus $3.721 billion in fiscal year ended January 29, 2012 with comparable brand revenue growth of 6.1%.