Data & Analytics

Comfort and wellness-footwear products  manufacturer Aetrex Worldwide has opened its first retail store, in Englewood, N.J. Designed by Gensler, the store has an upscale look, and combines the latest in technology with eye-catching graphics, high-end millwork and a fitting areas shaped like the company’s corporate logo.

Organic growth initiatives come out on top (46%) when it comes to how to increase market share, followed by a mix of organic growth and M&A (22%) and primarily M&A (22%), according to a survey of 152 senior financial executives of global retail companies by KPMG International.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Corp. said Thursday its first-quarter earnings rose 6%, helped by online sales and Easter demand in the Southeast.

Net income rose to $211 million from $199 million in the year-ago period. Sales in the quarter ended April 30 rose 3.1% to $4.16 billion. Same-store sales were up 1.3%.

Salisbury, N.C. -- Food Lion has opened its third LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified store, in Hope Mills, N.C.

“By building our third LEED grocery store, we will reduce energy costs by more than 20% compared to a typical supermarket, as well as conserve 40% more water than other Food Lion stores,” said Kyle Mitchell, VP of store development for Delhaize America South. “Food Lion has one of the most advanced retail energy conservation programs in the country.”

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark’s annual meeting of stockholders held Wednesday morning was an emotional and momentous occasion for the company as it marked the official retirement of Tom Ryan, former chairman and CEO, and the beginning of a new chapter as Larry Merlo takes the reigns as CEO.

Tejon, Calif. -- Ikea on Wednesday flipped the switch on a newly constructed solar energy system at its southwestern U.S. distribution center in Tejon, Calif. The 370,000-sq.-ft. solar array consists of a 1.8 MW system designed and installed by California-based REC Solar, and built with 7,980 REC Group panels.

Purchase, N.Y. -- Excluding auto sales, total retail sales in April 2011 grew by 8.8% year-over-year, stronger than March’s growth rate, and substantially higher than the average 7.1% year-to-year growth rate of the previous quarter, according to MasterCard Advisors’ SpendingPulse, a macroeconomic report tracking national retail and service sales.

Wayne, N.J. – Toys "R" Us is installing the largest rooftop solar power installation in North America at its distribution center in Flanders, N.J. Staging for the system is currently underway and construction will conclude this summer. Upon completion, the 5.38 megawatt on-site solar array will occupy 869,294 sq. ft. It is estimated to generate 72% of the electrical needs for the Toys "R" Us facility, which is the largest of the chain’s 10 DCs and covers over 1.5 million sq. ft., in addition to the roof, which spans 32 acres.

New York City -- Retailers will pursue major investment in customer relationship management systems, business intelligence systems, and enterprise resource systems for transaction processing, according to a survey of 152 senior financial executives of global retail companies by KPMG International.

Cincinnati -- Macy’s first-quarter earnings soared and easily beat Wall Street predictions on rising sales, tight expense controls and its efforts to tailor merchandise by region. The department store operator is doubling its quarterly dividend and raising its full-year earnings and sales outlook.

Macy’s posted net income of $131 million for the quarter that ended on April 30, nearly six times higher than the $23 million it reported a year earlier.