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Wal-Mart, Carrefour and Costco take top spots in ranking; Amazon continues to move up

The National Retail Federation showed its Christmas spirit on Thursday by releasing a holiday forecast that calls for sales to increase 3.9% to $602 billion and assumes the President and Congress will be able to resolve their differences.

NRF’s forecasted growth rate of 3.9% is a solid figure and well above the 3.3% average growth rate of the past 10 years and ahead of last year’s 3.5% gain. In addition, the trade group’s Shop.org digital division forecast that online sales would grow between 13% and 15% to roughly $82 billion.

Matthews, N.C. -- Shareholders of Harris Teeter Supermarkets on Thursday voted overwhelmingly to approve the previously announced merger with The Kroger Co.
 
Under the terms of the agreement, Harris Teeter shareholders will receive $49.38 per share in cash for each share of Harris Teeter common stock that they own.

Upon closing of the transaction, Harris Teeter’s common stock will no longer be publicly traded and Harris Teeter will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Kroger.
 

Earlier this year, quick-serve behemoth Dunkin’ Brands, which operates 10,500 Dunkin’ Donuts in 31 countries and 7,000 Baskin Robbins in 50 countries, announced its first new store design in seven years.

Alexander Rink, CEO of price intelligence solutions provider 360pi, recently spoke with Chain Store Age to discuss the importance of accurate pricing data to retail success. By obtaining timely internal and external pricing information, retailers can ensure a consistent omnichannel customer experience and also prevent the loss of sales to lower-priced competitors.

What are the advantages of having up-to-date pricing information on your competitors?

The Clorox Company has updated its strategic growth plan. Called the 2020 Strategy, it focuses on delivering long-term, profitable growth through the year 2020 and builds upon the company's recently completed centennial strategy.

Washington, D.C. – The National Retail Federation (NRF) expects holiday sales to increase 3.9% to $602.1 billion, up slightly from last year’s 3.5% increase. The forecast is higher than the 10-year average holiday sales growth of 3.3%.

The group noted, however, that its forecast hinges “on Congress and the Administration's actions" over the next 45 days as the government shutdown entered a third day

Stater Bros. has announced that VP of real estate Mike Slaton passed away suddenly on Saturday, Sept. 28. He was 51 years old.

As a tribute to Slaton, the 44,000-sq.-ft. Stater Bros. supermarket that opened recently in Redlands, Calif., will be dedicated in his honor.