Data & Analytics

Atlanta -- Sam's Club has become the first warehouse club retailer to install SoloHealth's comprehensive health-and-wellness screening kiosks, SoloHealth announced Wednesday.

SoloHealth said it will begin the rollout of its SoloHealth Station to more than 500 Sam's Club locations nationwide. The kiosks, currently available in select U.S. retail locations, is expected to be in more than 2,500 retail locations by mid-2013.

Foothill Ranch, Calif. -- The Wet Seal said that two independent proxy advisors, Institutional Shareholder Services and Egan-Jones Proxy Services, recommended that the chain’s shareholders reject efforts by Clinton Group to replace six members of the company’s board of directors.  

By Sean Jackson, [email protected]

In recent weeks, there have been some well-publicised examples of retail giants whose financial performance has been severely impacted by breakdowns in the supply chain. As salt in the wound to these behemoths of retail, there are just as many examples of organizations that have exceeded market expectations due to an ability to behave nimbly and respond quickly to changes in consumer demand.

Kohl’s Department Stores opened 12 new stores nationwide in September, all featuring the chain’s updated store design. Eleven of the stores are smaller format locations, with some 64,000 sq. ft. or less of retail space.

The stores are designed to offer customers a comfortable and inviting shopping environment, with Wi-Fi throughout, updated checkouts and upgraded fitting rooms. Other features include innovative fixtures in cosmetics, expanded, upfront customer service area, in-store Kohl’s Kiosks and electronic signs in all departments.

Fort Worth, Texas -- RadioShack Corp. said CEO James Gooch has agreed to step down from his position, effective immediately. The company did not specify a reason for his departure. Gooch was appointed CEO in 2011 and has been working to boost stagnant sales.

RadioShack said its board is conducting a search for a successor and would not rule out internal candidates. In the interim, executive VP and CFO Dorvin Lively will serve as the acting CEO.

Redwood Shores, Calif. -- The Bentley Group, a Canadian retailer offering luggage, handbags and accessories, has selected Oracle Retail solutions to optimize operations and establish an integrated, scalable platform to help drive growth.

New York -- Total holiday sales are expected to climb to between $920 and $925 billion, representing a modest 3.5% to 4% increase in November through January holiday sales (excluding motor vehicles and gasoline) over last season, according to Deloitte’s holiday forecast. The forecast is below last year's 5.9% gain.

AUSTIN, Texas — Whole Foods Market has received a 2012 Green Power Leadership Award for sustained excellence from the Environmental Protection Agency for its renewable energy purchase of 800 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) last year.

In addition to its renewable energy purchases, Whole Foods Market is generating nearly 258,000 kWh annually with the use of on-site solar arrays. Whole Foods Market adds this most recent award to its three previous Green Power Partner of the Year and two Green Power Purchasing awards from the EPA.

TORONTO — Walmart Canada is leading the search for the next great business idea through its second annual Green Student Challenge.

The retailer is looking for teams of post-secondary students from across the country to convince some of Canada's most successful business leaders that they have the most compelling breakthrough idea to change business as we know it. A total of $100,000 in cash will be awarded including $25,000 to the winners and $25,000 to the winners' school.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Summer Infant, a juvenile products manufacturer, today has retained Sharon Merrill (www.InvestorRelations.com), a nationally recognized investor relations and corporate communications firm based in Boston, to provide strategic investor relations services.