Supply Chain & Merchandising

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Winn-Dixie Stores announced it launched a smartphone application that will help customers find their closest Winn-Dixie, allow them to view the weekly circular and sales for that specific store, and create and manage shopping lists that both sync with computers and can be shared with other users. The app for Apple’s iPhone and Android smart phones is available as a free download through Apple Inc.’s iTunes, the Android Market or through links on Winn-Dixie’s website at http://www.winndixie.com/Mobile/apps.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. -- Building on its plans to open 625 new stores in fiscal 2011, Dollar General Corp. announced that it will create 6,000 new jobs. The new stores and jobs will be spread among Dollar General’s existing 35-state operating area, as well as three new states: Connecticut, Nevada and New Hampshire.

In addition to 625 new stores, the company plans to remodel or relocate 550 stores.

New York City -- Borders Group is delaying payments to some of its vendors, a company spokeswoman said on Thursday. The news came just weeks after the company said it was trying to obtain new financing to avoid violating the terms of its credit agreements early next year.

"As part of this potential refinancing, Borders has determined that it is necessary to restructure its vendor financing arrangements and is delaying payments to certain of its vendors," Borders spokeswoman Mary Davis said by phone, in a Reuters report.

The Great Save promotion is back again at Target for the second year in a row. As was the case last year, the promotion is billed as something of a warehouse-club type shopping experience complete with sharp pricing on large-pack sizes combined with a little bit of the treasure hunt atmosphere to create the allure of discovering bargains.

The biggest difference between this year and last year is the Great Save promotion will be shorter. It runs through Feb. 5 this year, whereas last year it was in place for seven weeks or until nearly the end of February.

SUNBURY, Pa. - Weis Markets has announced that it has lowered the prices on 2,400 staple items, and that it will freeze the prices of these products for 90 days through April 2. 

Chicago -- Total GAFO retail sales for Christmas week (week ending Dec. 25) slipped 4.1% compared with last year, while the company’s retail traffic index (SRTI) reported a 6.8% total U.S. foot traffic decline for the same period, according to ShopperTrak’s National Retail Sales Estimate (NRSE). The 2010 calendar shift that placed Dec. 26 on a Sunday as opposed to a Saturday last year had the greatest impact on overall performance.