Sales & Marketing

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Supervalu customers that cash in their coins at in-store Coinstar kiosks can do so for free when they select the Supervalu gift card option, Coinstar announced.

The no-fee option will be available in about 1,000 stores that operate under the Supervalu banner, including such chains as Acme, Albertsons, Jewel-Osco and more, by next month.

Supervalu and Coinstar began their collaboration on the gift card project last January in approximately 78 Albertsons stores located in Washington and Oregon.

Newington, N.H. -- Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group said it will assume leasing, management and marketing duties of the Fox Run Mall, located in Newington, N.H., effective May 15.

The enclosed regional shopping center, built in February 1983, is anchored by Macy’s, J.C. Penney and Sears. Other tenants include Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, Express, Loft, Limited, Men’s Wearhouse, American Eagle Outfitters and Victoria’s Secret.

The center totals 604,000 sq. ft. and is situated on nearly 70 acres.

New York City -- Foot Locker has unveiled upgraded mobile commerce sites for each of its athletic footwear retail banners -- Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Footaction, Champs Sports and CCS -- with added functionality and enhancements to provide customers with a seamless and optimal cross channel experience.

In addition, the company is introducing mobile sites for its Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, and Footaction retail divisions.

Lakeland, Fla. -- Publix Supermarkets said Monday that sales and earnings rose in the first quarter. Net earnings rose 9.3% to $398.2 million, compared with $364.4 million in 2010.

Sales for the first quarter totaled $6.8 billion, and same-store sales rose 2.8%.

“Although the economy continues to be weak, I’m pleased our strong operating performance resulted in another increase in our stock price,” said Ed Crenshaw, Publix’s CEO, said in a statement.

The most recent pricing survey from the equity research team at Credit Suisse shows that Target is either 3.1% more expensive or 1.9% less expensive than Walmart. The firm compared prices at stores in the Dallas and Chicago markets, as it does every month, and during March discovered the gap between the two competitors narrowed considerably.

“Target’s price gap with Walmart tightened from 4.2% in February to 3.1%,” according to the firm. “Target’s basket price decreased sequentially by 0.8% compared with Walmart’s 0.3% increase.”

The 5% REDcard Rewards program Target launched last fall has contributed to sales results and served as a game changer on the pricing front with Walmart. Savvy shoppers are increasingly realizing the additional 5% savings they receive by using their REDcard can result in the price of a basket of food and consumables at Target slipping below the price of a comparable basket at Walmart.

Plano, Texas -- J. C. Penney Corp. has completed a new five-year $1.25 billion bank credit facility.

The new facility replaces a $750 million credit facility that was scheduled to mature in April 2012 and provides further strength to the company's liquidity position. The facility may be used for general corporate purposes and will mature in April 2016.
 

PLANO, Texas -- JCPenney has completed a new five-year $1.25 billion bank credit facility.

The new facility replaces a $750 million credit facility that was scheduled to mature in April 2012 and provides further strength to the company's liquidity position. The facility may be used for general corporate purposes and will mature in April 2016.