News

New York City -- A&P plans to close 32 stores in six states, including four in the New York City area, Crain’s New York reported.

Among the stores slated to close are 14 Pathmarks, seven Super Fresh shops, four A&Ps and three Waldbaums, according to the report.

A&P operates 395 stores in eight states and the District of Columbia under the banners A&P, Waldbaum's, Pathmark, Best Cellars, The Food Emporium, Super Fresh and Food Basics. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December.

MINNEAPOLIS-- This spring Target is celebrating the five-year anniversary of its GO International program with a collection that features 34 dresses from 17 past GO International designers. Ranging in price from $24.99 to $44.99, the GO International Designer Collective will be available March 13 through April 10 at most Target stores and Target.com.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Census Bureau on Tuesday reported that retail sales continue on a positive trend, edging up 0.3% for the month of January.

The increase to $381.6 billion marked the seventh consecutive month of gains for retail sales. Total sales for the month were above the year-ago period by 7.8%.

Wow! Did you catch Lady Gaga at the Grammy Awards Sunday night? She received the award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album just days after Target announced an exclusive deal that allows fans to download the first single of her new album, “Born This Way,” scheduled for release on May 23. Gaga fans were able to pre-order the new album beginning last Friday through Feb. 26 at www.Target.com/gaga. Target’s exclusive deluxe edition includes three additional studio songs and five remixes, and will be available at stores nationwide and on Target.com.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Best Buy Mobile, the mobile specialty retail unit of Best Buy Co., announced that it is extending the offer to “future proof” smart phone purchases for free through Feb. 26 in all Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile standalone stores across the country. As part of this special two-week offer, customers can also receive the Buy Back Program at no cost when purchasing tablets, including the Apple iPad, at Best Buy Mobile standalone stores.

Wells Fargo retail analyst Matt Nemer put several leading retailers to the test this week with an innovative approach to research. According to Barron’s, he went on a $5,000 shopping spree on the websites of some of the largest Internet-only and traditional retailers. He said Amazon.com offered the best shopping experience, and he rated the retailer at outperform. Walmart.com was said to have higher prices than Amazon’s, but had strong customer service and didn’t showed up as well in searches.

BURBANK, Calif. — Gearing up for the summer release of superhero flick Green Lantern, Warner Bros. Consumer Products is teaming up with licensee Mattel to help fans fight evil through a new branded toy line.

WBCP said Mattel will bring "Green Lantern" to life by producing the lineup, which includes:

• The Green Lantern Ring Blast jet figure and vehicle;

• The Green Lantern Battle Shifters figures;

• The Green Lantern Movie Masters figures; and

New York City -- Total retail sales (excluding autos) grew by 5.5% year-over-year, on par with December’s growth rate, and slightly higher than November’s, according to MasterCard Advisors’ SpendingPulse. SpendingPulse reports on national retail and services sales and is based on aggregate sales activity in the MasterCard payments network, coupled with survey-based estimates for all other payment forms