Sales & Marketing

Duckwall-ALCO Stores on Friday reported a 1.7% first quarter same-store sales increase that was regarded as an improvement for the company, but light relative to figures posted by retail leaders.

New York -- Bob Evans Farms Inc. plans to remodel 150 restaurants to its “Farm-Fresh Refresh” format in its current fiscal year. The remodels will include 40 sites in the Columbus, Ohio, market in the first quarter.

In its recently completed fiscal 2012, the chain remodeled 87 locations, with sales up 5% in the updated restaurants compared to the rest of the chain, executives said on the company’s fourth-quarter conference call.

Speaking at The Home Depot’s 2012 Investor and Analyst Conference in Atlanta, Home Depot EVP merchandising Craig Menear revved up the power tool rhetoric.

Menear said the company intends to defend its position as power tool market share leader.

He also described power tools as a category with a relatively high vulnerability to online competitors. One of the best defenses is a large fleet.

PLANO, Texas — JCPenney has announced several promotions and additions to its merchandising, operations and investor relations areas.

“We’re rethinking every element of the retail business and there's no better way to re-imagine the possibilities than to tap the proven abilities of our own extraordinary talent along with the fresh perspectives offered by industry experts new to our organization,” said CEO Ron Johnson.

NEW YORK — Procter & Gamble, in partnership with Walmart.com, is targeting urban shoppers in New York and Chicago throughout the month of June to offer savings on limited-edition everyday essentials.

Through the promotion — which kicked off in Chicago on Wednesday and launched in New York on Thursday — P&G is bringing to life its “everyday needs delivered for free” message for consumables.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart is piloting a test program with En-Vision America to offer ScripTalk, a talking prescription system that provides those who cannot read standard print a safe and easy way to access the information on their prescriptions. ScripTalk is currently being offered to customers with visual impairments across the country through Walmart Mail Order and in three Walmart test stores. The program is free to Walmart pharmacy customers who are blind or visually impaired.

MOORESVILLE, N.C — Through its charitable and educational foundation, Lowe's has awarded more than $2.3 million in Spring 2012 Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grants to 543 schools in 47 states throughout the nation. The grants were given to schools and parent organizations for parent-initiated school-improvement projects benefiting K-12 public education.

The projects funded during the spring grant period include technology and safety improvements, library renovations, walking trails, greenhouses, outdoor learning environments and more.

One of the biggest gripes residents of Northwest Arkansas have of the region, be they long time residents or recent transplants, is that Walmart is the only game in town when it comes to groceries. That situation will change later this summer when The Fresh Market opens its first location in Rogers.