News

UNION, N.J. — The growth prospects of the nation’s leading home goods retailer is being questioned following a solid first quarter performance and weaker-than-expected outlook.

Improved procurement processes at Gymboree are being eyed as a means for the specialty retailer to reduce expenses.

Gymboree, operator of 1,155 stores, said it retained the procurement management firm LogicSource after the firm conducted a detailed analysis of Gymboree’s procurement spend and identified significant savings opportunities. LogicSource will give Gymboree access to its broad-reaching procurement industry expertise, provide a comprehensive vendor network, and drive efficiencies through smart centralization, according to LogicSource.

Compared with most other industries, retail companies face shorter time horizons and tighter metrics. The pressure to perform is great, which perhaps explains why many retail firms are having trouble holding onto their top executives.

For example, one major U.S. retailer recently suffered the departures of a senior marketing executive, a division president and another executive VP, all within the space of a few months. One of those executives had lasted only five months, while another had a tenure of less than two years.

Last week a study showed living near Walmart was good for property values while this week we learn that it will also make you fat.

Sustainability is a top priority for Walmart, and energy efficiency is central to its efforts. One of the chain’s three primary long-term objectives is to use 100% renewable energy. Walmart is actively working to meet that goal with projects that employ a wide range of technologies, from solar power to fuel cells, in development across the country.

Week in and week out, Walmart wins on the pricing front with the biggest unknown being the magnitude of the spread between it and competitors, several reports out this confirmed.

Deb Weinswig at Citigroup looks at prices in three U.S. markets every two weeks and her most recent assessment showed Walmart beating Kroger by 12.1%, Safeway by 17.4%, Supervalu by 20.6% and Target by 4.8%.

SECAUCUS, N.J. — Eric Bauer, COO of The Children's Place Retail Stores, has left the company effective June 19, the company announced Wednesday. Jane Elfers, president and CEO, will resume oversight of the company's supply chain, store operations, finance, information technology and real estate functions.

Commenting on Bauer's departure, Elfers said, "We thank Eric for his contributions and wish him well in his future endeavors."

New York -- The Home Depot plans to spend $1.3 billion on new technology and $700 million to build 36 new stores from 2013-15, according to a report by Investors Daily.

The report was based on remarks chain’s senior VP finance, Ted Decker, made Tuesday at Jefferies Global Consumer Conference.

Decker also said the company plans to build “new state-of-the-art distribution facilities” to leverage its stores.