News

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart chief merchandising officer Duncan Mac Naughton expressed optimism about the retailer’s prospects for the holiday season and beyond late Tuesday during comments at a Bentonville Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce function, which attracted more than 500 people.

Denton, Texas -- Sally Beauty Holdings said Wednesday it has acquired Netherlands-based Kappersservice Floral and two related companies, Hair Zone and Exphair as part of the company’s international growth strategy.

Savannah, Ga. -- Citi Trends said Wednesday it has secured a new, five-year, $50 million credit facility through Bank of America to replace its prior $20 million credit facility.

The new facility includes a $25 million uncommitted “accordion” feature that under certain circumstances could allow the company to increase the size of the facility to $75 million.
 

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club announced that it is making it easier for consumers to shop this holiday season with the launch of its holiday shopping site, SamsClub.com/gifts and an enhanced mobile app that together streamline on-the-go and at-home shopping.

Arlington, Va. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association, along with 125 business groups and employers nationwide, on Wednesday asked the Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to include in their recommendations to the House and Senate a provision that would close the online sales tax loophole that is harming brick-and-mortar retail businesses and the communities they serve.

PLANO, Texas — JCPenney announced that it has launched a new, customizable feature on its website for its annual Angel Giving Tree Online partnership with The Salvation Army.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Retail Inflation, a strong fuelperks! rewards program and increased sales at remodeled stores helped grow identical-store sales at Winn-Dixie Stores by 3.3% during the first quarter of fiscal 2012. This increase was also aided by a 5.5% increase in basket size, but partially offset by a 2.1% decrease in transaction count. The company announced that net sales for the first quarter were $1.6 billion, an increase of $48.2 million or 3.1% compared with the same period in the prior fiscal year. 

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us announced Tuesday a joint venture with Li & Fung Retailing that will expand Toys “R” Us in Southeast Asia and Greater China.

With the new agreement, the existing Toys “R” Us licensed operations throughout Asia, consisting of more than 100 stores and offices across nine markets, will become 70% majority owned and controlled by Toys “R” Us and 30% owned by Li & Fung Retailing.