News

Visitors to Walmart.com increased in December compared with the prior year, but decelerated from a record performance in November, according to the online measurement firm comScore.

Walmart had 55.8 million unique visitors in December, which was a pretty good dip from the 58.5 million visitors comScore data shows the company had in November. However, the December figure was still well above December the prior year when comScore showed Walmart.com with 51.4 million visitors.

Walmart has made great strides with its online business and don’t think Amazon hasn’t noticed judging from the online leader’s fourth-quarter results, which reflect substantial investments in staffing and distribution capacity.

Amazon in 2011 added 17 new fulfillment centers bringing its global network to 69 centers and it also increased its number of employees by 67% to support future growth and opportunities CFO Tom Szkutak said the company is fortunate to have.

Fans of the Twilight series have a hard choice to make on Feb. 10 when Walmart and Target are both hosting special events as they vie for sales of the “Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1.”

Sam’s Club and Costco may not be identical twins, but there is enough similarity between the two to assume the traffic and inflation trends that propelled Costco to an 8% January same-store sales increase favorably impacted Sam’s as well.

Lowe's has announced that it will partner with the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) in order to launch a program to educate and train Lowe's employees who specialize in interior kitchen and bath projects.

Because of this membership and training program, Lowe's employees who work in the kitchen cabinets, countertops and fashion plumbing departments and as interior project specialists will have the opportunity to earn NKBA certifications.

Share’s of Walmart hit a 52-week and multi-year high this week of $62.63 – a level not touched since the fall of 2008 – which left investors happy as well as curious.

Deerfield, Ill. -- BioScrip Inc. said it will sell certain assets of its community specialty pharmacies and centralized specialty and mail service pharmacy businesses to Walgreens for about $225 million.

The deal includes about $170 million in cash at closing and retention by BioScrip of associated accounts receivable and working capital liabilities of about $55 million.

New York City -- The nation’s apparel retailers reported mixed results for January as shoppers remain cautious about spending in the uncertain economy.

“It was as tough month as retailers battled holiday hangover, lack of incentive to shop and mild winter that killed outerwear clearance," said Ken Perkins, president of RetailMetrics Inc., in a Reuters report.

As the first month of the year, January accounts for only 20% November-January sales, and 7% of annual sales, according to RetailMetrics.

New York City -- The nation’s discount chains reported solid results for January, with Target Corp., TJX Cos., and Costco Wholesale Corp. all reporting gains above expectations. Overall, discounters reported stronger results than department stores, which appeared to take a greater hit due to the unseasonably warm weather and heavy promotions.

As the first month of the year, January accounts for only 20% Nov.-Jan. sales, and 7% of annual sales, according to RetailMetrics.

SEATTLE — Amazon.com enjoyed tremendous sales growth in the fourth quarter, but it came at a steep price as expenses grew faster than sales due to investments to support future growth.