Supply Chain & Merchandising

As a prelude to the upcoming World Retail Congress in London (September 19- 21), five retail leaders who will be speaking at the event participated in the following Q&A:

What would you say is the biggest issue facing retailers today?
 

Chicago — Suitors are lining up to carve out divisions of Supervalu following the company's announcement last month that strategic divestitures were on the table as the Eden Prairie, Minn.-based grocer seeks to turn around its business performance. A Crain's report published Monday identified Klaff Realty as one of the first companies to express an interest, in this case the Jewel-Osco piece of the business.

Chicago -- A report released Monday by Jones Lang LaSalle found that the U.S. retail real estate continued to show signs of stability in second quarter 2012.

According to Jones Lang LaSalle’s Mid-Year Outlook, the modestly positive outlook was led by major markets with strong demographic and population growth, a lack of new, high-quality supply and improving leasing velocity.

Chicago -- Chicago high-end fashion retailer Mark Shale said Tuesday it has filed for reorganization bankruptcy.

The 83-year-old company is seeking strategic alternatives, including a partner to fortify the business, according to president Rich Myers.

The three existing stores – all in Chicago – will continue to operate during the reorganization process.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us is taking aggressive steps toward becoming a bigger player in the highly competitive baby products market, by expanding its offerings under the Babies"R"Us brand.

The company has introduced a new infant feeding line and an expanded assortment of bedding and room decor, food, formula, snacks and other essentials and now offers customers more than 1,600 products.

Dallas -- Tuesday Morning Corp. said Monday that it lost $2 million in the quarter ended June 30, widened from a loss of $1.4 million in the same period last year. The retailer cited costs associated with terminating its CEO for the weakened showing.

Sales were nearly flat at $196.4 million, and same-store sales inched up a slight 0.2%. For the full year, the company recorded net income of $3.9 million, compared with $9.6 million in the prior year. Sales slipped 1% to $812.8 million.

New York -- Cost Plus World Market has launched a new website as a part of the brand’s strategy to elevate its e-commerce business and provide expanded opportunities for customers to discover more at Worldmarket.com. This is the largest redesign of the site since its launch in November 2005.

NEW YORK — Barnes & Noble saw increased sales and a narrower loss for its first quarter thanks in large part to the steamy series, "Fifty Shades of Grey."
 
“During the first quarter, we continued to see improvement in both our rapidly growing Nook business, which saw digital content sales increase 46% during the quarter, and at our bookstores, which continue to benefit from market consolidation and strong sales of the 'Fifty Shades' series,” said William Lynch, CEO of Barnes & Noble.