Supply Chain & Merchandising

Amsterdam -- Delhaize Group reported Wednesday that its third-quarter net profit rose 10% to $193 million, compared with a profit of $176 million in the year-ago period. Excluding currency effects, profit rose 2.7%.

The Belgian supermarket operator attributed the improvements to a stronger dollar against the euro, but also warned the retail environment in the United States remains challenging.

Revenue rose to $7.3 billion from $6.7 billion a year earlier.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores announced Wednesday that it has promoted Jeff Davis to the position of senior VP and treasurer, effective Dec. 1.

In his new role, Davis will assume responsibility for treasury operations, capital markets, investor relations and risk management. Davis succeeds Charles Holley, who has been named to the position of executive VP and CFO, also effective Dec. 1.

New York City -- Women’s apparel retailer Cache reported Wednesday that it narrowed its loss for the quarter ended Oct.2 to $5 million, compared with a loss of $6.8 million in the year-ago quarter.

Revenue rose 1.3% to $45.5 million, from $44.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009. Same-store sales were flat, as compared with a decrease of 21.7% in the prior year.

Chicago -- A report released Wednesday by ShopperTrak found that total GAFO (general merchandise, apparel, furniture, sporting goods, electronics, hobby, books and other related store sales) retail sales for the month of October increased 1.6% while total U.S. foot traffic rose 1.0% for the same period as compared to last year.

ShopperTrak’s National Retail Sales Estimate reported that both Columbus Day and the Halloween holidays helped push retail levels into the black in October.