Supply Chain & Merchandising

Columbus, Ohio -- DSW said Thursday that it opened two new stores on Sept. 28.

A new store opened at Vintage Oaks Shopping Center in Novato, Calif., and a new store opened the same day in Boise, Idaho, at Franklin Towne Plaza.

 

Former Asda executive and Walmart Canada CEO David Cheesewright has a new role that opens up some intriguing growth possibilities, given his new responsibilities include oversight of geographic areas where Walmart doesn’t currently operate stores.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid same-store sales increased by 1.3% in September, compared with September 2010, the company said Thursday.

During the four-week period that ended Saturday, front-end same-store sales were down 0.5%, though pharmacy same-store sales increased 2.1%, including a 143-basis point negative effect from new generic introductions.

The softer sales for the month were expected by the company's management and analysts alike, with analyst John Heinbockel of Guggenheim Partners attributing them to Hurricane Irene and the slow start of the allergy season.

Stockholm, Sweden -- Hennes & Mauritz AB reported Thursday that profit for the third quarter fell 15% to $533 million, from nearly $621 million in the year-ago period. The Swedish fashion retailer cited rising procurement costs, marketing investments and a bump-up in new-store expansion for the decrease in profit.

H&M said it will add 265 new stores, up from the 250 previously planned, and will make market debuts in Indonesia and Thailand.

Brick, N.J. -- North American Video said Thursday that it has begun servicing and maintenance of the video surveillance systems in all retail outlets across The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co.

A total of over 330 stores across seven states are part of the service program; retail banners include A&P, The Food Emporium, Pathmark, SuperFresh, Best Cellars, Waldbaum’s and Food Basics. 

Wan Ling Martello may not have been a household name outside of Walmart, but that doesn’t diminish the significance of her departure from a company eager to achieve a higher degree of diversity among the ranks of its senior executives.

Camp Hill, Pa. -- Rite Aid reported a 1.3% increase in same-store sales in September.

Total drugstore sales for the 30 weeks ended September 24, 2011 increased 0.9% to $14.535 billion, from $14.407 billion in last year’s like period. Prescription sales accounted for 68.4% of total drugstore sales, and third-party prescription sales was 96.4% of pharmacy sales.
 

SEATTLE — Walmart announced that ihas been selected as one of the Washington Green 50 list by Seattle Business Magazine as part of its annual Green Washington Awards competition. Walmart was a finalist in the retail category.