News

Walmart is facing some stiff competion for toy sales with Dollar General, as the company announced that it is going to head-to-head with toy retailers and discounters alike by offering more than 300 toys for $5 or less.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Same-store sales at Rite Aid increased by 2.9% in October, compared with last October, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

The increase included a 1.3% increase in same-store sales on the front end, as well as a 3.6% increase in pharmacy same-store sales, including a negative offset of about 160 basis points due to the introduction of new generic drugs.

Total sales for the month were nearly $2 billion, a 2.8% increase over October 2010's $1.9 billion.

Citigroup found that toy prices at both Walmart and Target fell by 4% and that the price gap between the two retailers on toys has narrowed since its first survey.

According to Ciitgroup, retail prices of a basket of “hot” toys for holiday 2011 are now 30 bps cheaper at Walmart than at Target, compared with 50 bps cheaper at Walmart in its previous survey. However, taking into account Target’s 5% rewards discount, the basket of toys became 470 bps more expensive at Walmart, compared with 450 bps more expensive in the previous survey.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Winn-Dixie is looking to help pharmacy customers better manage their prescriptions by introducing a new mobile application for iPhone, Android or Blackberry smartphones.

After two years of being in New York City in order to be closer to the center of the fashion industry in the United States, Walmart is moving its apparel office back to Bentonville, Ark.

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — Pet Supplies Plus, the third-largest pet specialty retailer in the United States, announced that Harvey Solway, executive chairman of the company, is retiring effective Dec. 31.

Solway, 60, began his twenty-year career with Pet Supplies Plus as EVP and general counsel and served as the company's CEO from January 1993 through June 2011. Solway led PSP through its formative years and was instrumental in growing the business to its 92 corporate and 159 franchise stores today, the company reported. 

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has partnered U.K. beauty expert Maria Hatzistefanis and is now carrying her Nip + Fab beauty brand in Target stores and online at Target.com.

Launched in 2010 and previously available only across the pond, Nip + Fab is now available in the United States through its partnership with Target.

Beauty mavens can select from 14 different Nip + Fab skin solutions and body blends, including Nip + Fab Tummy Fix, Nip + Fab Pigmentation Fix and Nip + Fab Dark Circle Fix.

Hatzistefanis also has created the Rodial beauty brand.

Sidney, Neb. -- Outdoor retailer Cabela’s reported Thursday that profit for the third quarter surged 68.7% to $33.3 million, compared with $19.7 million in the year-ago period. Results surpassed analysts’ expectations and mark the third straight quarter of profit rises.

Revenue rose 6% to $678.6 million, missing Wall Street’s expected $681.5 million.

Springfield, Mo. -- O’Reilly Automotive reported Thursday that net income for the third quarter rose 27% to $148 million, compared with $117 million in the year-ago period.

Sales increased 8% to $1.54 billion from $1.43 billion. Same-store sales rose 4.8%.

During the quarter, the company opened 50 new stores, bringing its store count to 3,707 in 39 states.
 

Dallas -- SRS Real Estate Partners said that Dollar Tree/Deal$ has leased four new retail spaces, all in New York.

The company leased 12,000 sq. ft. in Maspeth, N.Y.; 12,000 sq. ft. in Brooklyn; 10,250 sq. ft. in Sunnyside; and 9,341 sq. ft. on Broadway in New York City.