Sales & Marketing

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores said it will open a new office in Atlanta, positioning the retailer to more effectively manage nearly 1,600 stores in 20 eastern U.S. states and allow it to focus on opportunities to grow its business in states such as New York.

The new eastern business unit will be run by Rosalind Brewer, president of Walmart East and executive VP of Walmart U.S.

Bensalem, Pa. -- Charming Shoppes said Thursday it recorded a net loss on a GAAP basis of $30.4 million for the quarter ended Jan. 29, compared with a loss of $28 million a year earlier. The company also announced the announced the appointment of Anthony M. Romano, COO and acting CEO, as president and CEO.

Walmart International takes center stage next week with investors, as international division president and CEO Doug McMillon and other members of senior leadership offer insight into operations in China and Japan.

New York City -- The Home Depot partnered with Scanbuy to launch a national communications strategy utilizing mobile barcodes enabled by Scanbuy’s ScanLife system. The initiative incorporates 2D bar codes (QR codes) that give customers immediate access to such information as product rating and reviews, How-To guides and videos on specific products.

NEW YORK  -- Barneys New York has announced that Carine Roitfeld will collaborate on its women's fall 2011 campaign. Roitfeld will serve as guest editor and stylist working alongside celebrated photographer Mario Sorrenti and Barneys New York creative director, Dennis Freedman, to create the campaign, the company reported.

According to the company, the company will celebrate Roitfeld's iconic style and will feature looks displayed in the windows at Barneys' Madison Avenue flagship store. 

Freeport, Maine -- L.L. Bean announced it will implements free standard shipping to all United States and Canadian addresses effective March 25.

“We tested free shipping offers with no minimum purchase for several months and the customer response was overwhelming,” said Chris McCormick, president and CEO, L.L. Bean, Freeport, Maine. “It’s our opportunity to offer free shipping for all U.S. and Canadian customers with no minimum purchase, no end date, no conditions -- guaranteed.”

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- In yet another example of how discount stores are dominating the retail industry these days, Fred's Inc. reported strong earnings and sales growth for its fiscal fourth quarter. The company reported fourth-quarter net income of $8.6 million, or 22 cents per diluted share, a 49% increase over last year's reported net income of $5.8 million or 15 cents per diluted share. For the year ended Jan.

Toronto -- Canadian golf retailer Golf Town said Thursday it has opened its first five stores in the United States, all located in the greater Boston area.

The $25 million U.S. market expansion includes stores in Avon, Bellingham, Reading, Seekonk and Watertown, Mass., all of which opened on March 24 and total about 100,000 sq. ft. A sixth store is slated to open in Northborough, Mass. in the fall.