Supply Chain & Merchandising

New York City -- Express said Thursday that it has opened its first Canadian location, a 10,000-sq.-ft. store at Fairview Mall in Toronto.

The retailer said it plans to open a total six stores in Canada by the end of 2011, and an additional 50 stores across the country over the next five years.

In November, Express will have three locations opening in Calgary at Southcentre, Chinook Centre and Market Mall as well as an additional store in Toronto at Square One.

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us said Thursday that it will hire more than 40,000 employees to staff its U.S. stores and distribution centers this holiday season. In addition, employment opportunities will be available at the company’s 10 distribution centers, including the newest facility in McCarran, Nev.

Toys “R” Us’ 2011 holiday hires are in line with previous years, when the company hired between 35,000 and 45,000 seasonal workers.

By Josh Green, CEO, Panjiva

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us announced that it plans to hire more than 40,000 employees to staff its U.S. stores and distribution centers this holiday season, as the company anticipates another busy Christmas across all of its shopping channels. This number is in line with previous years, when the company hired between 35,000 and 45,000 seasonal workers. Throughout the coming months, the company said it will continue to assess its staffing needs and add more employees, as necessary.

New York City -- SAP announced it will acquire business-to-business (B2B) integration provider Crossgate, Munich. A leading provider of hosted B2B integration services, Crossgate enables companies to fully integrate and network with trading partners, clients and suppliers, allowing electronic data exchange with any business partner regardless of their technical capability.

CHICAGO — In the wake of several surveys projecting how shoppers will spend this holiday season, the latest study from ShopperTrak expects national retail sales to increase 3% during November and December, while foot traffic will drop 2.2%.

ShopperTrak said its 3% holiday sales increase prediction follows 19 consecutive months of year-over-year U.S. retail sales growth, adding that the expected increase is moderate when compared with the 2010 holiday season's 4.1% sales increase over 2009.

New York City -- Walmart plans to launch a dedicated page on Walmart.com that will feature an assortment of products created by women in nearly two dozen countries, including women who work in cooperatives and own small businesses. Scheduled to be available in spring 2012, products will include jewelry from Guatemala, Thailand and Ethiopia; coffee from Central and South America; and dresses from Kenya.

NEW YORK — Walmart took the next step in its goal to help build women's economic empowerment by announcing the launch of a dedicated page on Walmart.com that will feature an assortment of products created by women in nearly two dozen countries, including women who work in cooperatives and own small businesses. The site, which the company expects to be available in spring 2012, will feature such products as jewelry from Guatemala, Thailand and Ethiopia; coffee from Central and South America; and dresses from Kenya.