Supply Chain & Merchandising

Austin, Texas -- Whole Foods Market’s first quarter net income surged 79% to $88.7 million, on an increase in customer visits and a rise in average transactions. The natural and organic foods grocer raised 2011 profit outlook on its strong results, which beat expectations.

A lack of visibility into Walmart’s sales performance coupled with concerns about the pace of a U.S. sales recovery is contributing to some apprehension on Wall Street regarding the company’s fourth-quarter performance.

QUINCY, Mass. -- The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company announced the special dedication of a 400 kilowatt fuel cell at its Torringford Street store in East Torrington, Conn. 

According to the company, the fuel cell, a UTC Power PureCell System Model 400, was supported with a grant from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund's On-Site Renewable Distributed Generation Program and is the first fuel cell utilized by the Stop & Shop Supermarket Company. It is expected to generate over 90% of the store's electric energy.

Hingham, Mass. -- The Talbots said in a regulatory filing that key executive John Fiske is leaving the company.

Fiske, 46, was named the chief stores officer of the company in March 2009 after serving as a human resources executive. He was part of a management team that was put in place to improve business results.

Talbots has been struggling in its turnaround efforts. The company cut its guidance last month after a weak holiday shopping season. 

San Bernardino, Calif. -- Supermarket retailer Stater Bros. Holdings said Wednesday that net income for the quarter ended Dec. 26 dropped to $1.3 million, compared with net income of $6.7 million in the year-ago period. The prior year results included an after-tax gain of $4.7 million.

Sales declined 2.3% to $899 million in the first quarter. Same-store sales also decreased 2.3%.

Columbus, Ohio -- DSW said Tuesday that it will acquire its largest shareholder Retail Ventures and turn it into a wholly owned subsidiary, helping to simplify its relationship.

According to the shoe retailer, the two companies signed a merger agreement, under which DSW will give stockholders 0.435 of a DSW share for each share they hold of Retail Ventures.

Retail Venture holds a 62% stake in DSW.

The companies are slated to hold a conference on Wednesday to discuss the deal with investors.