News

New York -- U.S. retail sales declined in April and May, pulled down by a sharp 2.2% drop in gas stations sales in both months, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

But excluding volatile gas station sales, retail sales increased only modestly in May and dipped in April.

Total retail sales fell in April to $404.6 billion, slightly below March's record level of $406.2 billion and 21.6% higher than the recession low hit in March 2009.

NEW YORK — H&M is launching an exclusive collection this fall from French fashion house Maison Martin Margiela, the apparel retailer said.

Making its official debut Nov. 15, the autumn/winter 2012 collection will include garments and accessories for both men and women, and will be sold at 230 H&M stores, as well as online at HM.com.

DALLAS — The Army and Air Force Exchange Service is offering shoppers a chance to win a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

From June 15 to 28, military shoppers can visit their local AAFES and enter to win in the 7UP Harley-Davidson Sweepstakes. One lcustomer will win a 2012 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight, valued at $11,000. Entry is limited to shoppers ages 18 years and older who have a valid driver's license.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer is helping its customers save money on gas this summer, the retailer said.

The new discount program, which was made available to Meijer credit customers and runs Sept. 3, provides customers with a 10-cent-per-gallon discount on fuel at all Meijer gas stations, with no minimum fuel purchase required. Customers who don't already have a Meijer credit card can apply at any Meijer store, online at Meijer.com/creditcard or via QR link with their smartphone.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — Mauro Porcini has been named chief design officer at PepsiCo, the company announced.

Porcini, who served as chief design officer at 3M, will responsible for infusing design thinking into PepsiCo's organization and culture by globally managing design with a creative, innovative and consumer-centered approach for PepsiCo's brands, with a strong focus on its top 12 global brands: Pepsi, Lay's, Gatorade, Quaker, Tropicana, Lipton, Sierra Mist/7UP, Doritos, Cheetos, Mountain Dew, Sun and Mirinda.

Washington, D.C. -- Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 4.8% in June compared with the same month last year, and year-over-year increases are expected to continue into the holiday season shipping cycle, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.


Conshohocken, Pa. -- Ikea has announced plans to install solar energy panels on two distribution centers in the Eastern United States. Installation will occur this summer on the chain’s center in Perryville, Md., and Westampton, N.J. Both projects will rank among the largest commercial rooftop solar installations in the United States, and their implementation will extend the Ikea solar presence to nearly 89% of its U.S. locations.

Roseville, Calif. -- Revionics, a provider of price optimization systems, announced it has acquired the business and related assets of Retail Optimization, New Haven, Conn., a provider of cloud-based assortment and space optimization systems. Terms were not disclosed.

New York -- J.Crew Group is expanding into Asia through a partnership with Hong Kong- based specialty store operator Lane Crawford.

Beginning in October, a curated selection of the J.Crew autumn/winter 2012 women's ready-to-wear and shoes, men's apparel and accessory collections will be available at select Lane Crawford stores in Hong Kong and China. It is the first time J.Crew goods will be featured in a retail environment outside of North America.

New York -- A report released Monday by A.T. Kearney showed that Brazil once again first among developing countries for global retail expansion.

A.T. Kearney’s Global Consumer Institute’s 2012 Global Retail Development Index ranks the top 30 developing countries for global retail expansion.