Supply Chain & Merchandising

Chicago -- Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.-based Mid-America Asset Management said that Dollar Tree recently signed a lease for 10,900 sq. ft. at West Aurora Plaza in West Aurora, Ill., a western suburb of Chicago.

The new store is slated to open this June in a former Aronson Furniture space.
 

Hingham, Mass. -- The Talbots reported Thursday a narrower-than-expected fiscal fourth-quarter loss, and said it plans to expand its store re-image program to improve traffic. The chain also it expects to close as many as 100 stores over the next two years.

Talbots lost $2.8 million in the quarter ended Jan. 29, compared with a loss of $1.5 million in the year-ago period.

Net sales fell 7.4% to $292.6 million, compared with $315.9 million in the same period last year. Same-store sales dropped 7.3%.

A monthly pricing survey by Credit Suisse showed Walmart had the lowest overall basket price in Dallas and Chicago and suggest that where prices head from here is up to Walmart.

Freeport, Maine -- L.L. Bean announced it will implements free standard shipping to all United States and Canadian addresses effective March 25.

“We tested free shipping offers with no minimum purchase for several months and the customer response was overwhelming,” said Chris McCormick, president and CEO, L.L. Bean, Freeport, Maine. “It’s our opportunity to offer free shipping for all U.S. and Canadian customers with no minimum purchase, no end date, no conditions -- guaranteed.”

DEERFIELD, Ill. and BELLEVUE, Wash. — Shortly after posting record second-quarter sales on Tuesday, Walgreens announced that it would "accelerate its online strategy" by acquiring e-retailer Drugstore.com for about $429 million, subject to customary conditions.

Toronto -- Canadian golf retailer Golf Town said Thursday it has opened its first five stores in the United States, all located in the greater Boston area.

The $25 million U.S. market expansion includes stores in Avon, Bellingham, Reading, Seekonk and Watertown, Mass., all of which opened on March 24 and total about 100,000 sq. ft. A sixth store is slated to open in Northborough, Mass. in the fall.

Minneapolis -- Best Buy Co. reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Feb. 26 fell 16% to $651 million, compared with $779 million in the year-ago period. However, adjusted results beat Wall Street expectations.

The retailer cited restructuring costs and weak TV and other electronics sales for the performance decline.

Bensalem, Pa. -- Charming Shoppes said Thursday it recorded a net loss on a GAAP basis of $30.4 million for the quarter ended Jan. 29, compared with a loss of $28 million a year earlier. The company also announced the announced the appointment of Anthony M. Romano, COO and acting CEO, as president and CEO.