Sales & Marketing

Omaha, Neb. — Westroads Mall has begun work on a major, two-phase renovation and remodeling of the three-level, enclosed, 1.2-million-sq.-ft. super-regional shopping center in Omaha, Neb.

Phase I is underway with mall-wide painting plus interior and exterior LED lighting installation. Phase I will also upgrade the malls energy management system. Plans call for Phase I to finish before the holiday season.

A 3% same store sales decline at Staples North American retail units contributed to weaker than expected second quarter results and prompted the company to reduce its full year financial forecast.

Total company sales for the quarter ended August 3, declined 2% to $5.3 billion with the closure of 103 stores in North America and Europe responsible for about half the decline. Profits for the period declined to $104 million, or 16 cents a share, two cents worse than analysts forecast, compared to $125 million, or 19 cents a share the prior year.

New York -- The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index remained flat in July as improvements in real housing prices and labor markets offset weakness in other areas. The Index, which tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending, remained at 4.4 this month.  

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. reported that its second quarter profit dropped 13% to $611 million in the quarter ended Aug. 3, down from $704 million a year earlier, amid start-up costs related to its entry into Canada. Total company profits, excluding start-up costs related to Canada, increased 6.1%. Similar to other retailers, the chain issued a muted annual profit forecast as it deals with a still uncertain economy and cautious consumers.

Pomona, Calif. — The Cal Poly Pomona Foundation plans to open a Shop24 automated convenience store at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, in September.

The store will serve residents at the University Village, a student housing facility with more than 1,300 residents. Shop24 is a totally automated and refrigerated convenience store designed for 24/7 access.

By John Lytle, [email protected] and Julien Escribe, [email protected]

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap has elected Padmasree Warrior, chief technology and chief strategy officer of Cisco Systems, to its board of directors, effective Sept. 30.

“Padma is an accomplished business leader with nearly 30 years’ experience within the technology industry, as both a strategist and innovator,” said Glenn Murphy, Gap Inc. chairman and CEO. “As we increase our investment in serving customers across all channels, Padma’s relevant expertise will be an asset to our board and management team.”

Lubbock, Texas -- As part of a strategic branding initiative, United Supermarkets, LLC will now be known as The United Family, reflecting its multiple store brands as well as its rich family history.
 
The strategic name change is part of a branding initiative to help define, articulate and document the organization’s retail portfolio, which consists of four brands: United Supermarkets, Market Street, Amigos and United Express, along with its subsidiary operations, R.C. Taylor Distributing, Praters and Llano Logistics.