News

New York City -- Chain Store Age will present a Webinar on Tuesday, April 26, at 2 p.m. EST (11 a.m. Pacific) that will include results of its exclusive survey on how retailers are using business intelligence tools.

A Reuter’s report this week quotes the manager of a Target store in Rogers, Ark., regarding the fact that Mike Duke, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., is an occasional visitor in his store. Well of course he is. And so are hundreds if not thousands of other Walmart employees.

Dallas -- Zale Corp. is extending the maturity of $120 million of its credit facility by more than two and a half years, the Associated Press reported.

The portion being extended includes a seasonal adjustment of $20 million. The debt was set to mature Aug. 11. Now, it matures on April 30, 2014.

Zale said Monday that commitments under the facility remain at $650 million, including a $108 million seasonal adjustment. All commitments mature on the new date in 2014.

RadioShack reported a $28.9 million increase in kiosk sales driven in large part by the roll-out of the company’s mobile centers in Target stores. This boost helped drive RadioShack’s total sales to $1.06 billion from $1.04 billion.

At the end of its fiscal first quarter, RadioShack operated 887 Target Mobile centers inside Target stores compared with 104 at March 31, 2010. The company said it expects to expand Target Mobile to approximately 1,450 locations by the end of June 2011.

New York City -- The chairman and CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. received a pay package worth $22.5 million, down 38% from last year, mostly because of a reduction in option awards, according to an analysis by The Associated Press.

Jeffries, 66, received a base salary of $1.5 million and a performance-based bonus of $2.3 million, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

He received option awards worth $14.1 million on the date they were granted, down 58% from the prior year.

TOPEKA, Kan. — Payless ShoeSource is expanding its beauty offering with the availability of a new beauty brand, SXY by Unforgettable Moments, arriving in stores this week. Featuring nearly 20 affordable beauty and body items, the new line represents yet more competition for chain drug beauty.

The SXY items are available in 1,500 stores and start as low as $4, with nearly all products priced under $10. The new brand joins two other beauty collections in the Payless beauty portfolio: Unforgettable Moments and Zoe & Zac Naturals.

PHOENIX -- PetSmart announced that is introducing an exclusive line of pet apparel and accessories from Martha Stewart. 

“Dogs love their walks -- rain or shine. But the spring season can bring with it a few challenges for pets and their parents when it comes to enjoying outdoor activities,” said Gayle Franger, VP merchandise marketing for PetSmart. “With quality clothing options that protect dogs from the elements, PetSmart is helping pet parents keep their pets comfortable, regardless of the weather forecast.”

Fort Worth, Texas -- RadioShack Corp.'s first-quarter earnings fell 30% amid higher costs and lower margins. The company also lowered the high end of its full-year earnings estimate.

RadioShack reported net income of $35.1 million, down from $50.1 million a year earlier.

Revenue for the three months ended March 31 rose 2% to $1.06 billion, boosted by 11%  growth in mobile devices.