News

San Diego -- PriceSmart announced that for the month of April 2013 net sales increased 10.7% to $176.1 million, from $159.1 million in April a year earlier. For the eight months ended April 30, 2013, net sales increased 11.0% to $1,483.8 million.

For the four-week period ended April 28, same-store sales for the 29 warehouse clubs open at least 13 1/2 full months increased 9.6%, compared to the four-week period last year.

Development chief details chain growth

Chain Store Age asked Paul Carolan, chief development officer for Dallas-based Le Duff America, about the bakery-café company's aggressive growth plan in the United States.

The North American subsidiary of Paris-based Groupe Le Duff SA, Le Duff America now manages four brands in the United States: Bruegger's Bagels, la Madeleine Country French Café, Brioche Dorée and Mimi's Café, which was acquired in March.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — D&G Pets, a local fish and exotic pet shop in Fort Collins, Colo., is diving into e-commerce waters in an effort to retain existing customers and reach out to new ones. 

The local retailer launched an online store so consumers can purchase pet supplies from their computers or mobile devices — leveraging technology to remain competitive in a field dominated by larger pet supply chains. 

Same stores sales increase 6.9% and earnings per share increased 19% to 76 cents, three cents better than analysts forecast. The company’s performance was favorable across the board, according to co-founder, and co-CEO John Mackey.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Declines in technology product category sales and decreased foot traffic at its stores affected OfficeMax’s results for its fiscal first quarter ended March 30, 2013. 

HERSHEY, Pa. — Twizzlers candy is getting in on the Man of Steel hype and teaming up with Warner Bros. to offer fans a chance to remake themselves as the invincible one and win prizes.

Between now and July 6, participants can visit www.Facebook.com/Twizzlers to create and star in a personalized Man of Steel- inspired video. The custom video application called Create the Invincible You takes Facebook fans through a two-minute transformation that they can then share on social media sites.

Bucksbaum Retail Properties opened for business in April 2012. The Chicago-based company has already opened one project and is working on four more.

The 53,000-sq.-ft. Kingsbury Center near North Chicago has opened with four tenants: Buy Buy Baby, PetSmart, Road Runner Sports and Jimmy Johns. It is a joint venture with Chicago-based Structured Development.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer and its customers helped to raise more than $500,000 for food pantries throughout the Midwest. Customers donated $184,230 during the retailer’s Simply Give Double Match Days. Meijer double matched all donations made from April 12-13, bringing the total donation amount to $552,690.