News

Understanding that city-dwelling parents often need multiple strollers for transporting their children, the Union Square shop features a variety of boutiques showcasing products from such brands as Bugaboo, Maclaren and Stokke. As an added benefit to shoppers, Babies"R"Us has an on-site stroller specialist to help parents find the best stroller for getting around the city. And when it comes to maneuvering strollers through the store, the redesigned Union Square store boasts wider aisles and an easier-to-navigate layout.

Minneapolis (Jun. 3) Supervalu has named J. Andrew Herring as its new EVP market and real estate development.

Herring most recently served as SVP real estate and store development. In his new role, he will be responsible for driving Supervalu’s major growth initiatives, including store development for the company’s traditional retail and Save-A-Lot stores and for its independent retailers, as well as new store growth.

MEMPHIS , Tenn. (Jun. 3) Discounter Fred's noted a 5% rise in its fiscal sales for the month, which ended May 29.

The chain said sales totaled $141.5 million, up from $134.9 million in May 2009. Comparable-store sales for the month rose 3.5%, compared with an increase of 0.2% in the same period last year.

Fred's total sales for the first four months of fiscal 2010 increased 3% to $613.1 million. On a comparable-store basis, year-to-date sales increased 3.5% on top of an increase of 2.1% in the same period last year.

CAMP HILL , Pa. (Jun. 3) Rite Aid reported a decline in its same-store monthly sales.

The Camp Hill, Pa.-based drug store chain said its May same-store sales dropped 1.7%, compared with May 2009. Conversely, May front-end same-stores sales decreased 3.6% while pharmacy same store sales, which included an approximate 124 basis points negative impact from new generic introductions, declined 0.8%.

Rite Aid also reported a loss for its drug store sales, decreasing 2.7% to about $2.44 billion, compared with $2.51 billion in the same period last year.

It’s not everyday a Viking ship lands in the middle of New York City’s busiest neighborhood, so more than a few heads turned to check out the 40-foot vessel promoting DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon.

The ship, which was flanked by folks dressed in full Viking gear, was stationed at Duffy Square in Times Square on March 22 and March 23 to showcase the film as well as its unique merchandising partnership with Walmart. The Viking ship was the first of more than 2,500 that will be arriving in Walmart stores.