Supply Chain & Merchandising

By Keith Scott, VP for business development, Bridgelux

Minneapolis -- Christopher & Banks Corp. reported Thursday a net loss of $13 million for the quarter ended Aug. 27, compared with a loss of $2.5 million in the year-ago period.

Sales dropped to $96.2 million from $101.3 million, and same-store sales declined 8% during the quarter.

For the second half of fiscal 2012, the retailer said it plans to open approximately eight new stores and close approximately 17 existing stores.

Roseville, Calif. -- Retail life cycle price optimization solution-provider Revionics said Wednesday that Gander Mountain Co. has selected the Revionics Price Optimization solution, which provides both base price management and price optimization.

The companies have entered into a two-year agreement. Revionics will help deploy these solutions throughout Gander Mountain's retail stores ensuring optimal monitoring, management and results.

Walmart is set to hold its 18th annual fall analysts’ meeting next week and provide insight into a broad range of growth strategies, domestic turnaround efforts and international expansion. The event is scheduled to last from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A couple of promotional pieces from Walmart hit the marketplace in recent weeks underscoring that Walmart may be nearing the completion of its Project Impact course correction strategy.

The week of Sept. 18 a four-page insert dropped announcing that “fabrics are back” and that new and expanded product assortment are available in 2,000 stores. This past weekend another promotion piece hit the market focused on the hunting category with a similar message around new and expanded assortments.

New York City -- Despite ongoing concerns about the economy, retailers fared surprisingly well in September, helped by the tail end of back-to-school shopping and cooler temperatures.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Humana will offer Medicare Part D beneficiaries a prescription drug plan co-branded with Wal-Mart Stores, the two companies said earlier this week.

The plan, originally launched in 2010, will be launched again for 2012 and will include savings on monthly plan premiums, prescription drug copayments and cost-shares for beneficiaries.

New York City -- Costco Wholesale Corp. turned in a strong September performance, recording a 12% rise in same-store sales for the month.

Target Corp., helped by strong sales of groceries, beauty products and clothing, saw September same-store sales rise 5.3%. Sales for the period rose 6.5% to $5.9 billion.