News

Walmart SVP brand marketing Tony Rogers was recently added to the program at the Symphony IRI Group’s annual summit to be held this year in Miami on March 28 to 30. Rogers will join Univision Communications EVP corporate research, Elizabeth Ellers, for a presentation titled, “Making Hispanics Your Competitive Advantage at Retail.”

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- Whirlpool has introduced an induction cooktop that can boil water up to 52% faster when using the product's "boost" element, the company reported. In addition, the cooktop only generates heat to the cookware it touches making it more efficient and easier to clean than earlier Whirlpool models.

The Whirlpoolinduction cooktop (model GCI3061XB) is available at retailers nationwide with an MSRP of $1,349.

Natick, Mass. -- BJ’s Wholesale Club confirmed on Thursday that it will potentially put it up for sale.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.  -- Sears announced that it has launched Beverly Drive, a new plus-size women's fashion line. Making its debut this month, the line will be available at Sears stores nationwide, as well as online at www.Sears.com.

New York City -- Dillard’s was the clear winner in the department store category in January, posting a same-store sales increase of 6%, which edged results from both Macy’s and Saks.

J.C. Penney Co. was the big disappointment, as same-store sales dropped an unexpected 1.2%. A survey of analysts by Thomson Reuters produced a consensus estimate of same-store sales up 1.8%.

The retailer said January sales were impacted by lower levels of clearance inventory as well as by adverse weather conditions.

PLANO, Texas -- JCPenney announced the arrival of its exclusive Modern Bride concept in its bridal fine jewelry departments in stores and on jcp.com and modernbride.com. The Modern Bride concept is the result of a collaboration with Conde Nast, publisher of Modern Bride magazine.

Miami -- Walmart Latin America CEO Eduardo Solorzano said Thursday in a speech that Walmart is using the company's expertise in sustainability as a means for profitable growth. 

MINNEAPOLIS — Target said that although its comparable-store sales were below expectations in the South and Northeast, the company believes overall sales will be driven by two of its recent initiatives.

Target chairman, president and CEO, Gregg Steinhafel, said that while the company "expects the economy to remain challenging, Target's PFresh remodel program and REDcard Rewards 5% savings program continue to operate in line with expectations."