Sales & Marketing

By Jonathan Cobb, [email protected]

New York City -- McDonald's Canada is investing approximately $1 billion in an ambitious program to transform the look, feel and function of its more than 1,400 locations across the country. More than half of the stores are expected to be remodeled by yearend, with the rest completed by the end of 2012.

Walmart's U.K. subsidiary Asda announced that it has mobilized its grocery site to enable shoppung from a smartphone. 

According to Asda, the new mobile-optimised site offers all of the features on the main Asda.com grocery website – meaning customers can register, shop and amend an existing order or delivery slot up until 10 p.m. the day before their delivery is due.

The new mobile optimised site also includes a mobile store locator, offering maps and directions so customers can find their nearest Asda when they are out and about, the company reported.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Supervalu has announced the sale of 107 fuel centers located in the Midwest, Intermountain West and West Coast regions following the acceptance of four separate bids to purchase the centers. The transactions include the majority of fuel centers within the Albertsons, Cub Foods, Hornbacher’s and Jewel-Osco banners.

Houston -- Increased sales across its brands helped drive The Men's Wearhouse’s second-quarter net income up nearly 33%, beating estimates.

The retailer earned $57.1 million for the fiscal quarter that ended July 30, up from $43 million in the same quarter last year.

Revenue increased 22% to $655.5 million. Men's Wearhouse said its purchase in 2010 of two British uniform and work-wear companies helped drive business.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us, which continues to implement its store integration strategy, has announced that it has improved its e-commerce, mobile and in-store shopping experience. 

Part of its multi-channel improvement effort, the company has enhanced its "buy online, pick up in store" program by giving shoppers the ability to designate an alternate person to pick up their order through "family and friends pick Up."  

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us is adding a new feature to its “Buy Online, Pick Up In Store” service in time for the 2011 holiday whereby customers using the service will have the ability to designate an alternate person to pick up their order through “Family and Friends Pick Up.” The “Buy Online” service allows customers to shop from the comfort of their own homes, and then to pick up their purchases at the Guest Services desk at a nearby Toys “R” Us store.

FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Stop & Shop has expanded its A+ School Rewards program and is introducing healthy store tours for kids.

The A+ School Rewards program — which allows customers to designate the points they earn for every dollar spent at Stop & Shop to the school or schools of their choice by registering their Stop & Shop card at StopAndShop.com — increase its contribution to help fund schools with a commitment of $2.5 million.