News

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred's Super Dollar reported $187.7 million in sales for the five weeks ended July 6, up 3% as compared to the same period a year ago. Comparable store sales for the month increased 4.5%.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco has started the summer right, reporting sales of $9.92 billion for the month of June, the five-week period ended July 7, an 8% increase over the same period last year. 

For the 44-week period that ended Sunday, sales were $87.05 billion, also an 8% increase over the same period last year. For the month and the 44-week period, same-store sales rose 6%.

NEW YORK — Japanese apparel retailer Uniqlo, a division of Fast Company, is expanding its U.S. footprint with the opening of 10 stores this fall in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and California.

The new locations, all in shopping centers, will bring the brand’s presence in the United States to a total of 17 sites.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Specialty beauty retailer Sephora is turning to Duncan/Channon to design the website for its new Marc Jacobs Beauty collection. The site goes live Aug. 9, following the launch of a teaser site, likewise designed by Duncan/Channon.

NEW YORK — Walmart is ditching plans to build three stores in Washington, D.C., after the city council passed a bill on late Wednesday setting a higher minimum wage for large retailers.

“This was a difficult decision for us — and unfortunate news for most D.C. residents — but the council has forced our hand,” said Wal-Mart spokesman Steven Restivo in a statement released after vote, which passed 8 to 5.

LOS ANGELES — PriceGrabber, a division of CPL Holdings, has appointed Jeff Goldstein as president. In his new role Goldstein will direct strategy and oversee the day-to-day operations of the business. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Grocery Manufacturers Association has appointed Jim Flannery as the company’s senior EVP, operations and industry affairs.

“I am pleased that Jim Flannery is joining the GMA team,” said Pamela G. Bailey, GMA president and CEO. “Given his life-long experience and success in the consumer packaged goods industry, and his in-depth knowledge of so many of the important issues GMA manages on behalf of its members, no one is better positioned than him to advance GMA’s member-driven agenda.”

NEW BERLIN, N.Y. — Greek yogurt brand Chobani has appointed former Kellogg executive David Denholm as the company’s president and COO, effective July 29. The company has also appointed Peter McGuinness as chief marketing and brand officer, effective July 22.

The company will look to the two executive leaders to help it focus on growth strategies and capitalize on the momentum behind the brand, which reached more than $1 billion in sales since its launch in 2007.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target is aiming its latest digital marketing campaign at college students and their families just in time for the back-to-school season.

Called the Bullseye University Digital Experience, the multichannel marketing effort features popular YouTube personalities in a life-size "dorm" and allows people to buy items from the "dorm" between Monday and next Thursday and enter contests to win college gear.

SOMERSET, N.J. — The Nutella brand is trying its hand at e-commerce with the launch of the Nutella Boutique, which will offer branded apparel and accessories.  

T-shirts, messenger bags that hold up to nine jars of Nutella — or a laptop — and Nutella spreaders are among the product offerings available on the e-commerce site.