News

Los Angeles – Total spending on at-home entertainment in the U.S. declined 1.4% in the second quarter of this year compared to the same time period last year, according to research by Digital Entertainment Group. Consumers spent $3.94 billion on at-home entertainment in second quarter 2013, compared to $4 billion in second quarter 2012.

Philadelphia - David Johnston, COO of Five Below, Inc., will leave his position at the company effective Aug. 31. In the wake of his departure, the company is seeking a president who will report directly to co-founder and CEO Thomas Vellios.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. – Law firm Levi & Korsinsky has commenced a class-action lawsuit against Kohl’s Corporation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The suit has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased Kohl's commons stock during the period between February 26, 2009 and September 13, 2011.

San Diego – PriceSmart reported substantial increases in both net warehouse club sales and same-store warehouse club sales during July of this year as compared to July of last year. For the month of July 2013, net warehouse club sales increased 11.9% to $188.5 million, from $168.5 million in July a year earlier. There were 31 warehouse clubs in operation at the end of July 2013 and 29 warehouse clubs in operation at the end of July 2012.

Boca Raton, Fla. – Office Depot sent its shareholders a letter this morning urging them to vote for its 10 nominees for the board of directors at its annual shareholders meeting on Aug. 21. The letter says that nominees from activist investor Starboard Value LP could disrupt progress and momentum in the ongoing OfficeMax merger and also prevent future synergies from the merger as well as make excessive cuts in critical business functions.

Officer Depot sent a similar letter to its shareholders on July 29.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart is considering entering the bidding for Hong Kong-based grocery chain ParknShop, Reuters reports. Wal-Mart is currently exploring options to enter the initial bidding process for ParknShop, which closes Aug. 16.

ParknShop is owned by Hutchison Whampoa Ltd., which in turn is owned by Li Ka-shing, reputedly the wealthiest man in Asia. The chain may be valued as high as $4 billion.

Wal-Mart, which has not commented publicly, said last year it would open 100 new stores in China by 2015.

Specialty retailer Five Below is searching for a seasoned retail executive to fill the role of president to execute an aggressive growth strategy following the departure of chief operating officer David Johnston.

Walmart may make a bid for 345 store Hong Kong supermarket chain known as ParknShop that is owned by Hutchison Whampoa, according to a Reuters report that cited people familiar with the matter.

Walmart is often linked to international retailers as a potential acquirer and according to the Reuters report it is among eight potential suitors for ParknShop who have until August 16 to submit preliminary offers.

Locker Room by LIDS is the name of a new licensed team merchandise department that will appear in 200 Macy’s stores and Macys.com beginning this fall which could help the nation’s largest department store operator become more relevant to sports fans.

IRVING, Texas — The relationship between retailers and their suppliers are of paramount importance, and Michaels Stores marks that relationship every year at its annual partner conference, where the company recognizes its top partners at its Vendor and Supply Chain Partner of the Year Awards.

Michaels recognized the contributions of 12 vendor and supply chain partners to the retailer during the past year.