News

By Brad Tuckman, ksckreate.com

Walmart could be put at a competitive disadvantage in Brazil if a bizarre merger between the company’s two larger rivals proceeds and secures regulatory approval.

The nation’s two largest retailers, Pao de Acucar and France-based Carrefour are attempting to merge their operations in a convoluted deal that has drawn the ire of fellow French retailer Casino, which owns a large stake in Pao de Acucar. 

Minneapolis -- Christopher & Banks Corp. reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended May 28 was $1.9 million, compared with $6.3 million in the year-ago period.

Sales dropped to $123.8 million, from $126.2 million a year earlier. Same-store sales dipped 2%.

The retailer said it plans to open 31 new stores and close 35 existing stores in fiscal 2012.
 

AMSTERDAM — Ahold has tapped retail veteran James McCann to serve in the newly created role of chief commercial development officer.

Sam’s Club is at it again this weekend. Attempting to persuade members to upgrade to the $100 Plus membership level by dangling the additional savings possible via the eValues program in front of them during a key seasonal sales occasion. The program is innovative and convenient in that money-saving offers are loaded directly onto members’ cards, but encouraging upgrade activity in the current economic climate is quite challenging, even when the immediate savings available via the eValues program more than offset the additional membership fee.

NORTHFIELD, Ill. — Kraft Foods announced that Daniel Myers will join the company in September as EVP supply chain.  Myers will lead the functional groups that make up the company's integrated supply chain, including procurement, manufacturing, engineering and customer service and logistics.  He succeeds David Brearton, who is now EVP and CFO.  Myers will report to chairman and CEO Irene Rosenfeld and be a member of the company's executive team.

Apple runs a really tight ship. That’s the takeaway of a recent Wall Street Journal article that used confidential Apple store training materials and interviews with current and former store associates to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the tech-giant’s store operations. Among the interesting details: Apple’s annual retail sales per square foot stand at an astounding $4,406.

Here are some other interesting insights from the article:

Strongsville, Ohio -- The IBM Retail User Group announced Thursday that drugstore retailer Duane Reade is the winner of its 2011 Retail Innovation Award.

The award, which was accepted by Richard Gilbert, director of store systems for Duane Reade, was presented at the User Group’s 34th annual conference in Orlando, Fla., in May.

The innovative solution provider Retail Tech jointly with RTC Group and Agilysys were also honored with the 2011 Retail Solution Innovation Award.