Supply Chain & Merchandising

OMAHA, Neb. — Long-time retail executive Andy Lundquist has joined apparel and home fashions discounter Gordman's as VP stores.

Lundquist has more than 20 years of retail management experience, most recently as SVP stores for Kohl's where he oversaw 270 stores in 21 states. In contrast, Gordman's operates 73 stores mostly concentrated in the Midwest.  

Lundquist was instrumental in growing Kohl's into one of the largest department store chains in the country.

New York City -- Toys “R” Us is cutting back on the number of temporary holiday stores it opens this year compared with last, but it is significantly expanding the number of exclusive products it offers, chairman and CEO Jerry Storch said at a press conference Wednesday. The retail chief’s bet on the hottest toy of the season: Animal Planet’s Air Swimmers line (helium-filled, radio-controlled flying fish), which will be available only at Toys “R” stores and via its website.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target's just-released Missoni collection resonated so well with consumers that the demand for the line lead to the crashing of Target's website on Tuesday. Various newspapers reported that the collection was flying off the shelves of stores, and that some stores were sold out within minutes.

Target posted a note on its website : "Woof! We are suddenly extremely popular. You may not be able to access our site momentarily due to unusually high traffic. Please stay here and we'll try to get you in as soon as we can!"

BURLINGTON, N.J. — Burlington Coat Factory reported that total sales for its second quarter increased 8.9% to $793 million and comparable-store sales were up 4%.

For the year-to-date, total sales rose 6.1% to $1.8 billion and same-store sales climbed 2.1%.

Springfield, Mass. -- Big Y Supermarkets plans to get rid of self-checkouts in all of its 61 stores by the end of 2011.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart Stores on Wednesday launched initiatives intended, it says, to help women around the globe in the next five years.

The retailer has spent the last year developing a plan -- with help from both governmental and non-governmental organizations and philanthropic groups -- which will direct $20 billion over a five- year period on goods and services from U.S. businesses owned by women, as well as double the amount it pays women-run suppliers overseas.

NEW YORK – Holiday music playing throughout Toys “R” Us’ flagship store in New York City’s Times Square helped set the stage for chairman and CEO Jerry Storch’s take on what’s to come this season.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Wednesday by the Commerce Department said that retail sales were flat in August, the weakest showing in three months.

Apparel retail sales fell 0.7% in August, following a 0.3% decline in July.  Department store sales declined 0.3%.  General merchandise stores such as Wal-Mart and Target fared better, with 0.1% gains. Analysts said Hurricane Irene likely disrupted sales in late August along most of the East Coast.