Retail

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens on Monday reported October sales of $6 billion, down 2.1% compared with October 2011. The results include the brunt of the impact from Hurricane Sandy — at the peak of the storm, approximately 750 of 1,400 stores in the impacted area were closed, Walgreens said. Nearly all of those locations have since reopened.

Total same-store sales were down 5.9%.

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc. is donating more than $1 million to help victims of Hurricane Sandy, which struck the East Coast earlier this week and caused widespread damage and destruction.

Upon the request of the American Red Cross, Gap Inc. will donate more than $250,000 worth of clothing, which will be distributed tomorrow in New Jersey, one of the areas hit the hardest by this week’s superstorm. In addition, the company will donate $750,000 cash to provide critical help and necessities for those in affected areas.

By Bill Martin, ShopperTrak Founder

The ShopperTrak holiday forecast for increased sales and foot traffic should encourage retailers. Our analysis suggests the 38 shopping days between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve — coupled with two “extra” weekends — will contribute to a strong shopping season.

To recap the forecast:

Norwalk, Conn. -- LogicSource, a sourcing solutions firm, has entered into a multi-year agreement to provide advisory services and technologies to Burlington Coat Factory, which operates more than 477 stores in 44 states and Puerto Rico.

West Des Moines, Iowa -- Kum & Go has announced plans to invest $90 million in building a total of 20-25 new stores in the Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak region of the Centennial State within the next five years.
 
Kum & Go, the fifth largest privately held company-operated convenience store chain in the United States, is marking the grand opening of its first three stores in Colorado Springs this week.
 

NORWALK, Conn. — LogicSource, a sourcing solutions firm, has entered into a multi-year agreement to provide advisory services and technologies to Burlington Coat Factory.

NEW YORK — Deloitte has teamed up with software solutions provider, CMO Compliance to provide solutions to consumer product, food service, retail and distribution companies.

The partnership will provide clients with a full suite of tools for risk management, the companies said.

New York -- The Jones Group Inc.  announced the promotion of Cynthia DiPietrantonio to COO, effective immediately.

In this expanded role, DiPietrantonio will oversee production in The Jones Group's overseas facilities, including its production offices in China and Hong Kong, in addition to her current responsibilities overseeing the day-to-day operations of the company. DiPietrantonio, the senior-most operations executive, has been with The Jones Group in several capacities over the past 30 years.