News

By Randy Frischer, [email protected]

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Walmart announced that it has worked with SolarCity to install solar panels on 12 Walmart stores and Sam's Clubs throughout Ohio. The solar panel installations will add approximately 6,000,000 kWh of generation production – enough energy to power more than 820 homes – and are expected to supply approximately 5-20 percent of each store's overall electricity use.

Suffern, N.Y. -- Ascena Retail Group reported Monday that adjusted net income for the quarter ended Jan. 26 dropped to $42.9 million, compared with $63.7 million in the year-ago period, due in large part to expenses associated with the company’s acquisition of Charming Shoppes.

Sales soared 44% to $1.2 billion from $862 million, driven by the added Lane Bryant and Catherine’s banners. Same-store sales dipped 1%.

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu has named new leadership at the executive and banner retail level. According to the company, the move is part of its plans to move forward with a focus on serving wholesale grocery operators, growing its hard discount format and running a smaller, more efficient retail operation following the close of its previously announced transaction with AB Acquisition LLC. That transaction is expected to be completed the week of March 18.

CHICAGO — KitchenAid has announced plans to introduce the first line of non-licensed cookware, bakeware and kettles in its nearly 100-year history. KitchenAid had previously offered these products through a licensing arrangement.

"These newest KitchenAid products look, feel and perform like those that built our reputation as a brand," said Michael Huie, global business unit director for KitchenAid.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The Walmart Foundation is celebrating National Nutrition Month and National School Breakfast Week by giving $6.7 million in grants to five national nonprofit organizations that are providing children with school breakfast and helping families develop better eating habits. The grants are part of Walmart and the Walmart Foundation's $2 billion cash and in-kind commitment through 2015 to help fight hunger in America and Walmart's 2011 initiative to provide customers with healthier and more affordable food choices.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — Quiksilver has announced the appointments of Tom Hartge as global head of footwear and Kasey Mazzone as global head of supply chain. The additions to the team are part of a larger senior management reorganization, which includes Pierre Agnes, president of Quiksilver Europe, assuming the additional role as global head of apparel, and the company recruiting for a chief marketing officer position.

New York -- A Friday report by Reuters revealed that J.C. Penney CEO Ron Johnson was well aware that the retailer’s deal with Martha Stewart would step on Macy’s toes, but testified in court that the company decided to move forward anyway.

Attorneys for Macy’s in New York state court on Friday presented Johnson with an email he sent to a Penney board member saying that Stewart would have to break her agreement with Macy’s if Johnson was going to “pull off” a deal with her.