News

By Laura Saati, [email protected]

NEW YORK — Barnes & Noble announced that it has expanded BN.com Marketplace, adding over one million new products to the catalog. The company also announced new partnerships with Wayfair.com, Right Start, UnbeatableSale.com Inc., School Specialty Inc., Abe’s of Maine, Delivery Agent and more. By expanding its third-party marketplace, which already supports more than 10,000 retailers in the books and media categories, Barnes & Noble now offers customers a wider product selection in time for the holiday shopping season, the company reported.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Strong results in consumable categories, a little inflation and some Hurricane Irene related sales fueled an 11.5% same-store sales increase and led to a strong overall third-quarter financial performance at Tractor Supply Company.

Walmart’s deeper affiliation with NASCAR continued this week as the good old boys headed to Alabama’s Talladega super speedway for the Good Sam Club 500 where race fans were provided the opportunity to participate in Race Time at Walmart activities.

Crossmark and FLW Outdoors announced a new joint venture called Out Front Marketing and have already signed on Walmart as a client to use the firm’s “Mobile Brand Boxes” to promote Walmart’s USDA Premium Beef program.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — SB Capital Group, a Schottenstein affiliate, said Monday it has acquired 15 JCPenney Outlet Stores from JCPenney Co., and will rebrand the units as JC’s 5 Star Outlet.

According to SB Capital, the stores will operate for up to a 21-month transitional period as JCPenney Outlet Stores, as the stores are converted to JC's 5 Star Outlet. J.C. Penney will continue to supply the stores with overstocks and end-of-season merchandise, and all existing store staffs and management have been retained.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy is holding on Oct. 23 its first annual "2011 Halloween Party and Customer Event" at all 7,200 locations nationwide.

Children who slip on a Halloween costume and purchase any item at any CVS/pharmacy location on Oct. 23 during regular store hours will receive one free Halloween gift pack per child, as well as an in-store costume photo shoot, which includes a free 5x7 print, during select times throughout the day.

The Halloween gift pack, available for free with any purchase while supplies last, includes:

Minneapolis -- SuperValu reported net income of $60 million for its fiscal second quarter, compared with a year-ago loss of $1.47 billion that was the result of one-time charges. Although the company’s results beat analysts' estimates, it cut the high end of its fiscal 2012 earnings.

Revenue dropped 3% to $8.43 billion from $8.66 billion, but still beat Wall Street's estimate of $8.36 billion.