News

Walmart attracted nearly 33.6 million unique visitors to its website in May, earning the company the 29th spot on comScore’s monthly ranking of the top 50 U.S. web properties. That sounds like a lot of traffic, but 7th ranked Amazon.com drew nearly three times that level with 94.9 million unique visitors. Other notable, retail-oriented companies and their rank included 13th ranked Apple, with 70.3 million unique visitors, 14th ranked eBay, with 67.2 million unique visitors and 20th ranked Craigslist, with 51.8 million unique visitors.

The monthly pricing survey Credit Suisse conducts at Walmart stores and various competitors in Chicago and Dallas market reveals the company continues to offer the lowest prices. That’s the good news for consumers; the bad news is Walmart, like every other company, is passing through increased product costs to shoppers.

CINCINNATI — Kroger CEO David Dillon said the company will continue to focus on customer loyalty, after reporting last week that it saw identical-store sales increase for 30 consecutive quarters.

During its shareholders meeting on Thursday, Dillon said the company will build its future growth around its Customer 1st strategy, which emphasizes "[our] people, products, prices and the shopping experience."

INDIANAPOLIS — The Finish Line reported that net sales for the first quarter increased 6% to $299.5 million in the first quarter compared with $282.4 million a year ago. Comparable-store sales increased 6.5% in the first quarter on top of an increase of 10.9% for the same period a year ago.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. disclosed in a Thursday filing that it plans to spin off its Orchard Supply Hardware Stores Corp. business as a separate, publicly traded company.

The vindication was a long time coming and Walmart surely hasn’t heard the last from litigants alleging all sorts of misdeeds on the part of the company, but when the Supreme Court ruled this past week that a lawsuit didn’t merit class action status it was a victory for the company and large businesses everywhere.

By Margaret Kuchler, [email protected]

Huey Lewis and the News are scheduled to perform a free concert in Fayetteville, Ark. on Sept. 9, in connection with the women’s professional golf tournament known as the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G. The Grammy Award winning entertainer will be performing at the M&M’s/Extra Dickson Street Concert. The 8 p.m. concert will be held in the Walton Arts Center parking lot located at 495 W. Dickson Street in Fayetteville.