News

PetSmart plans to open 70 net new stores this year, including approximately 50 of its standard prototypes, 20 micro stores and three PetsHotels. That’s 10 more than last year, during which the largest specialty pet retailer of services and supplies also closed five stores and opened three new PetsHotels.

The company will spend remaining capital expenditures on store remodel-type projects, supply chain, technology, maintenance and other infrastructure improvements.

Walmart didn’t mention competitive issues as a source of sales weakness during its fourth quarter, but reports this week from Kroger and Costco indicate they were at least a contributing factor.

Jarden Corporation has appointed Ros L'Esperance to its board of directors, bringing the total number of members to 10, seven of whom are independent directors.

Walmart’s tepid sales performance in the fourth quarter is water under the bridge, so when Walmart U.S. CEO Bill Simon spoke this week at an investor conference he quickly focused on the growth potential of smaller stores, which are being expanded at a more rapid pace.

An estimated 3,000 suppliers and Walmart’s top executives are scheduled to participate in the retailers Product Sustainability Expo to be held from April 29 through May 1.

Promotional materials for the event, to be held at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers, Ark., describe it as an opportunity to recognize and celebrate amazing advances in sustainability and to discover emerging opportunities and innovations that represent a new standard in retail.

Just as the winter months draw to a close, SC Johnson's Glade brand announced a line of new spring-inspired scents, which it says will evoke the excitement of the change of seasons.

The Glade Limited Edition Spring Collection consists of five new fragrances:

The months-long back and forth is over. The Men's Wearhouse will acquire all outstanding shares of Jos. A. Bank’s common stock for $65 per share in cash, or total consideration of $1.8 billion. The boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved the transaction.

Together, Men's Wearhouse and Jos. A. Bank will have more than 1,700 stores in the U.S., making it the fourth largest U.S. men's apparel retailer with approximately 23,000 employees and sales of $3.5 billion on a pro forma basis.

Nike's store in University Village, Seattle, was created as a sanctuary for athletes. The goal is present in every detail in the 6,247-sq.-ft. store, including this quote from company co-founder Bill Bowerman that is painted onto the bleacher board behind the cash wrap: "There's no such thing as bad weather, just soft people."

New York -- Retail expansion in the United States has not come to an end, but its focus has shifted. That’s one of the findings contained in the 2014 ChainLinks Retail Advisors U.S. National Retail Investment Forecast Report.

New York -- Walgreens will share learnings, insights and real-time performance data gained from building and operating the retail industry’s first net zero-energy store at Chain Store Age’s 50th annual SPECS Conference, March 9 -12, Gaylord Texan Hotel,  Grapevine, Texas.