NRF Pushes for Credit-Card Reform
Washington D.C. (May 15, 2008) The National Retail Federation (NRF) is urging the House Judiciary Committee to support anti-trust legislation that would require Visa and MasterCard to negotiate with merchants over credit-card processing fees. NRF said that the hidden fee charged by the two card giants is projected to cost the average U.S. family more than $400 this year. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Thursday.

"If consumers knew how much they are actually paying for credit cards, most would say they aren't worth the price," NRF senior VP and general counsel Mallory Duncan said. "U.S. consumers are paying an outrageously high annual fee that most don't even know about, and the price is going up dramatically every year."

Kroger CEO Earns $9M
Cincinnati (May 15, 2008) Kroger Co. chairman and CEO David B. Dillon received a 22% compensation hike in 2007, a year where the grocer saw its profits edge higher despite fierce competition, according to analysis of a regulatory filing Thursday.

Dillon's compensation was valued at $9.09 million, up from $7.47 million in 2006.

Apple Opens Its Largest U.S. Store in Boston
Boston (May 15, 2008) Apple Inc. unveiled its largest U.S. store on Wednesday, a glass-facade building sheathed in steel, according to a Reuters report.

The 20,000-sq.-ft. store, on Boston's historic Boylston Street, features a ground floor with more than 100 Mac laptops and computers, a second level for iPod music players and iPhones, and a third entirely for service.

Food 4 Less, Ralphs Expands Discounted Generic Drug Program
Los Angeles (May 15, 2008) Food 4 Less and Ralphs in-store pharmacies are expanding its generic-drug program by offering 90-day prescriptions for $10.

The new initiative expands the program for Food 4 Less and Ralphs that provides a $4 price for hundreds of generic drugs prescribed in 30-day supplies. Both retailers are under a division of The Kroger Co.

Blockbuster Swings to Profit in 1Q
New York City (May 15, 2008) Blockbuster posted a higher-than-expected quarterly profit as it cut costs by closing stores, reducing advertising and overhead expenses.

Blockbuster, which has offered to buy Circuit City Stores for up to $1.3 billion, said domestic same-store sales are up for the first time in five years due to a better line-up of new movies, improved in-store merchandising and more effective pricing.

Bed Bath & Beyond Enters Mexican Market
Union, N.J. (May 15, 2008) Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. said Wednesday it formed a joint venture with Mexican home-products retailer Home & More SA de CV, paying $4 million for a 50% stake in a new company operating two stores in Mexico City under the name "Home & More."

Bed Bath & Beyond said the Mexican joint venture wouldn't likely materially affect its overall results or financial condition for fiscal 2008.

Urban Outfitters 1Q Profit Surges 45%
Philadelphia (May 15, 2008) Urban Outfitters Inc. said Thursday its first-quarter profit rose 45%, helped by fewer markdowns and improved same-store sales.

The company's reported net income jumped to $42.6 million compared with $29.4 million in the previous year.

J.C. Penney 1Q Profit Falls 50%
Plano, Texas (May 15, 2008) J.C. Penney said a pullback in consumer spending has cut its first-quarter profit in half, and predicts "difficult" conditions for the entire year.

The company reported a 50% drop in quarterly profit on Thursday. Penney also reported a net income of $120 million for its fiscal first quarter ended May 3, compared with $238 million a year earlier.

Tesco to Buy South Korean Discount Chain
Seoul, South Korea (May 15, 2008) Tesco has agreed to buy South Korean discount chain Homever for $1.86 billion, according to Reuters. The 36-store Homever has been plagued by poor sales and labor disputes since South Korea's fashion retailing group E-Land bought it from French retailer Carrefour in 2006.

The deal, the largest single acquisition to date for Tesco, will give the chain a major anchor in one of its most profitable markets. The Homever stores, most of which were formerly Carrefour hypermarkets, have a total sales area of 3 million sq. ft., plus a further 1.3 million sq. ft. of adjacent shopping mall space.

Report: April Retail Sales Rise 2.1%
Chicago (May 14, 2008) ShopperTrak RCT Corp.'s National Retail Sales Estimate reported that April retail sales rose 2.1% while the company's Retail Traffic Index (SRTI) reported total U.S. foot traffic increased 5.8% for the same time period.

Although the 2008 calendar shift - which placed Easter in March as opposed to April of 2007 - makes the year-over-year comparison difficult, the report said, post-Easter shopping appeared to drive spending early in the month.

Macy's Posts Loss on Weak Sales, Restructuring
Cincinnati (May 14, 2008) Macy's Inc. reported a $59 million first-quarter loss Wednesday because of lower sales and the costs of consolidation, which the company said should start paying off next year.

Losses in the three months ended March 31, are compared to a profit of $36 million in the same quarter a year ago. Revenue for the quarter totaled $5.75 billion, down from $5.92 billion a year ago. Same-store sales were down 2.6%.

Ikea to Offer Free Ferry Service to Brooklyn Location
New York City (May 14, 2008) Ikea said it plans to offer a complimentary ferry service to its upcoming store on the Brooklyn, N.Y., waterfront. It is the Swedish retailer's first store in New York City, and is scheduled to open June 18.

The ferry will be operated by New York Water Taxi and will travel from Pier 11 in lower Manhattan to Ikea's dock in Brooklyn's Red Hook neighborhood.

Sainsbury Profit Up, Announces Plans for New Online Business
London (May 14, 2008) J. Sainsbury unveiled plans to launch a nonfood online business next year.

The announcement was made on Wednesday while the company reported a 1.2% rise in full year net profit. Sainsbury reported a profit of ?329 million ($642 million) for the year ending March 22, compared with ?325 million in the previous year.

Advance Auto Names Head of Commercial Sales
Roanoke, Va. (May 14, 2008) Advance Auto Parts has announced that Donna Broome will join the company as senior VP of commercial sales, effective May 19. Broome will be responsible for leading the commercial sales force.

Most recently, Broome served as partner and chief sales officer at Dealer Tire.

Rite Aid Names New Board Member
Camp Hill, Pa. (May 14, 2008) The Rite Aid board of directors has appointed Jim Donald to the board. Donald's term will expire at the company's annual meeting in June 2009. He is expected to stand for re-election.

Donald is the former president and CEO of Starbucks Coffee Co. He joined Starbucks in October 2002 as president, North America, where he managed business development and operations for all Starbuck stores in the United States and Canada.

Publix to Open in Orlando
Orlando, Fla. (May 14, 2008) Publix Super Markets is planning to open its first store in downtown Orlando this upcoming fall, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

The store will open in the 16-story condominium building known as The Paramount.

Nordstrom in Tax Dispute
Baltimore (May 14, 2008) Maryland tax authorities and Nordstrom Inc. are headed to state tax court Wednesday over a corporate income-tax dispute.

Maryland authorities say Nordstrom owes just over $1 million for corporate income taxes that the retailer put into holding companies registered in Delaware. Maryland's neighboring state charges no corporate income tax, and Maryland tax authorities routinely challenge companies they believe are hiding revenues in that state.

Collective Brands Wants Adidas Ruling Overturned
Kansas City, Mo. (May 14, 2008) Collective Brands Inc. (the company resulting from the merger of Payless Shoe Source and Stride Rite) has filed a motion seeking to have a court set aside or reduce a $305 million judgment against it for what a jury said was unlawful use of the Adidas three-stripe logo, according to the Associated Press.

A federal jury in Oregon last week ordered Collective Brands to pay $305 million in damages to Adidas AG.

Acquisition Hurt Whole Foods' 2Q Profit
Austin, Texas (May 14, 2008) Whole Foods Market Inc. said Tuesday that sales surged in the second quarter but absorbing the Wild Oats chain it bought last year caused profit to sag by 13%.

The company said net income in the quarter ended April 13 fell to $40 million, from $46 million a year earlier. The grocer said last year's acquisition of Wild Oats Markets Inc. cost $8.6 million in the quarter.

Canadian Region Ordering Fewer Plastic Bags
Manitoba, Canada (May 14, 2008) Grocery stores in Manitoba, Canada are ordering millions fewer plastic grocery bags as more consumers start bringing reusable bags on their shopping trips, according to a CBS report.

Major grocery chains across the Manitoba region have been selling reusable shopping bags for about 18 months, the report said.

Survey: Bergdorf Goodman Most Luxurious Retailer
New York City (May 13, 2008) High net-worth consumers rated Bergdorf Goodman the most prestigious luxury retailer in the 2008 Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI), released by the Luxury Institute.

Bergdorf loyals are enamored with the chain's "level of personalization in service, and the quality of merchandise," according to the survey.

Kroger to Expand Discount Drug Program
Cincinnati (May 13, 2008) Kroger Co. said Tuesday that its in-store pharmacies will expand their generic drug program starting Wednesday.

The move will enable the supermarket chain to offer many 90-day prescriptions for $10. Kroger's pharmacies are also increasing the number of women's health medications, and making them available for $9 in 30-day supplies, or $24 for a 90-day supply.

NRF: Retail Sales Resilient in April
Washington D.C. (May 13, 2008) Retail sales are still sluggish, however, chains saw their biggest month-to-month increase in April, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).

April retail sales released by the U.S. Commerce Department on Tuesday revealed that total retail sales, excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants, increased by 2.3% over last year, and rose 0.6% on a month-to-month basis. (When including non-general merchandise like autos, gas stations and restaurants, sales increased 2.6% year-over-year, but declined 0.2% over last month.)

Barneys CEO Resigns
New York City (May 13, 2008) Barneys New York announced Tuesday the resignation of Howard Socol, 62, as chairman, president and CEO. Socol has led the company since January 2001. Socol's resignation was not unexpected. According to a report in Women's Wear Daily, he has been growing increasingly frustrated with Barney's new owner Istithmar, an investment arm of the Dubai government, and felt it was encroaching on his managerial independence. Istithmar bought Barneys from Jones New York in 2007 for $942 million.

Under Socol, Barneys initiated an expansion program, and opened four flagship stores, 15 Barneys New York CO-OP stores and two outlet stores. Socol will remain with the company through the end of June.

Tiffany to Open In-Store Boutique in Ireland
New York City (May 13, 2008) Tiffany & Co. announced Tuesday that it plans to open a boutique in Dublin, Ireland, by the fall.

The 1,300-sq.-ft. store will be located on the ground floor of Brown Thomas, a well-known Dublin-based department store.

Barnes & Noble to Open New Michigan Store
New York City (May 13, 2008) Barnes & Noble recently signed a lease agreeing to open a new bookstore in Kentwood, Mich.

The store, which is expected to be open by June 2009, will be located in the Woodlands Mall. It will feature cutting-edge technology, including Wi-Fi access, and a RedDotNet previewing system that enables shoppers to pass any DVD, Blu-ray disc, audio book or CD under a dedicated scanner, then electronically preview the contents.

Macy's Announces Store Openings
Cincinnati (May 13, 2008) Four new stores will join the Macy's family-one in Las Vegas and three in Phoenix.

A new Macy's will open at The Shops at Summerlin Centre in west Las Vegas by fall 2009. The store, Macy's fifth location in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, will be operated by the Macy's West division, headquartered in San Francisco.

Borders Launches First Latino Book Club
Ann Arbor, Mich. (May 13, 2008) Borders Group is joining forces with the national Latina organization Las Comadres, and the Association of American Publishers (AAP) to launch Las Comadres and Friends National Latino Book Club at select Borders stores across Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Texas and Utah.

The club, which will include titles across memoirs, fiction and children's literature, will be open to anyone interested in reading books authored by Latino or Latina writers. Author Esmeralda Santiago will serve as the club's official spokeswoman.

Wal-Mart Earnings Up 6.5% in 1Q
Bentonville, Ark. (May 13, 2008) Wal-Mart Stores reported Tuesday that its net income for the first quarter was $3.02 billion, an increase of 6.9% from $2.8 billion in the first quarter of fiscal year 2008. Net sales for the first quarter were approximately $94.1 billion, an increase of 10.2% over $85.4 billion for the first quarter of fiscal year 2008.

"We're off to a solid start, with record first quarter sales and earnings," Lee Scott, Wal-Mart's president and CEO said in a company statement. "Our business is even more relevant to our customers today, given the current economic pressures."

Walgreens Names Two New Execs
Deerfield, Ill. (May 13, 2008) Walgreens on Tuesday named Wade D. Miquelon as senior VP and CFO. He will replace William M. Rudolphsen, who has been named to the new role of senior VP and chief risk officer. Miquelon, who will report to company chairman and CEO Jeffrey A. Rein, will assume his post on June 16.

Miquelon, who most recently was the executive VP and CFO for Tyson Foods, will be responsible for Walgreens' accounting, tax and treasury functions, including investor relations.

TJX Same-Store Sales Up 3% in 1Q
Framingham, Mass. (May 13, 2008) TJX Cos. announced net sales for the first quarter ended April 26, 2008, increased 6% to $4.4 billion, and same-store sales increased 3% over last year. Net income for the quarter was $194 million.

Results include a benefit of $12 million, due to tax-related adjustments that were unanticipated at the beginning of the quarter. 

Study: Consumers to Spend Rebate Checks on Necessities
Washington, D.C. (May 13, 2008) Consumers will be spending their stimulus checks at retail outlets, but their purchase plans have shifted, according to a new survey from the National Retail Federation.

Consumers plan to spend approximately 40% of their tax rebate checks, filtering $42 billion back into the economy, the study said. Rather than purchase discretionary items, including electronics and apparel, shoppers are focusing on necessities like gas and food.

Charlotte Russe Hires Ann Taylor Executive
San Diego (May 12, 2008) Charlotte Russe Holding Inc. said Monday it named Sandra Tillett senior VP of store operations, effective immediately.

Tillett has 23 years of experience in the retail industry. She most recently served as senior VP of Stores for Ann Taylor.

Barnes & Noble Names Chief Merchandising Officer
New York (May 12, 2008) Barnes & Noble Inc. said Monday that it promoted Jaime Carey to chief merchandising officer, a new position.

Carey, who joined Barnes & Noble in 2003, had previously served as VP of the company's newsstand business. In his new position, Carey will be responsible for merchandise buying in all departments.

Michaels Exec to Leave Company
Irving, Texas (May 12, 2008) Michaels Stores announced that Harvey S. Kanter, executive VP and managing director, has decided to leave the company, effective May 25, to pursue a leadership role at another company.

Until Kanter's replacement is named, the merchandising organization will report to Brian Cornell.

Pollo Campero Opens Franchise in U.S. Wal-Mart Store
Little Rock, Ark. (May 12, 2008) Pollo Campero, a Guatemalan restaurant chain, has teamed up with Wal-Mart Stores to expand its reach to the nation's growing Hispanic population. The restaurant has opened its first location inside a Wal-Mart Supercenter, in Rowlett, Texas.

Officials at Pollo Campero's U.S. arm, Campero USA Corp., said they hope to expand its reach into more than 20 Wal-Mart locations across the country by the end of 2009.

Valentino to Open 35 Stores
Milan (May 12, 2008) Valentino chairman and CEO Stefano Sassi said the company plans to expand the number of directly owned stores to over a 100 from its current 65, according to a report in Women's Wear Daily.

Valentino is also looking at developing a new store concept, which will be used for key flagship stores beginning at the end of the year, the report said.

Saks Fifth Ave. to Close Ft. Lauderdale Location
New York City (May 12, 2008) Saks Inc. plans to close its 73,000-sq.-ft. Saks Fifth Avenue store in the Galleria Mall in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

The store, which is leased, is expected to close on July 20. 

Report: Barney's CEO to Resign
New York City (May 12, 2008) The CEO of Barneys New York has said he plans to resign, The New York Times reported on Saturday.

Citing colleagues of Howard Socol, who presided over the company's steadying after it fell into bankruptcy in the mid-1990s, the report said that people with knowledge of the situation had said Socol had sharp differences with the company's new owners over strategy, including plans for overseas expansion.

Macy's Looks to Expand Overseas
Cincinnati (May 12, 2008) Macy's is looking to expand overseas, according to a report in the Cincinnati Inquirer.

"Our No. 1 priority is same-store growth, but as we look further down the line for added avenues of growth, international is something we need to explore and investigate," said Macy's spokesman Jim Sluzewski. 

Collective Brands Will Try to Overturn Ruling
Topeka, Kan. (May 12, 2008) Collective Brands Inc. on Monday said it will file several motions in court seeking to set aside or reduce an unfavorable verdict in a lawsuit with Adidas.

Last week, a federal jury in Oregon ordered Collective Brands to pay $305 million in damages to Adidas AG. The verdict stems from a lawsuit that Adidas filed in 2001 against Payless ShoeSource, which changed its name to Collective Brands last year, for selling shoes that Adidas said violated its trademarked three-stripe logo. 

Kohl's Converts Stores to Solar Power
Menomonee Falls, Wis. (May 12, 2008) Kohl's Department Stores announced that it plans to convert more than 50 of its existing New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland locations to solar power, representing nearly 80% of its locations in these three states.

Kohl's has converted more than 25 of its 88 California locations to solar power with plans to activate approximately 50 additional sites in the state. Solar installations are also under way at three Wisconsin locations, and Kohl's hopes to add other states to its growing solar offering before year-end.

Children's Place Allows Former CEO's Acquisition Talks
San Francisco (May 12, 2008) The board of Children's Place Retail Stores Inc. has approved a request from the company's former CEO Ezra Dabah to work on a proposal to acquire Children's Place with a private equity firm, according to the Associated Press.

Dabah had asked the board's permission to bypass shareholder acquisition laws that could otherwise preclude Golden Gate Private Equity Inc.'s participation in an offer.

Bloomingdale's to Discontinue Mail Catalog
Cincinnati (May 9, 2008) Macy's Inc. on Friday said Bloomingdale's will discontinue its mail catalog by early 2009 and focus on its Web site.

The company said it came to the decision because sales growth online has recently outpaced its catalog sales.

Canadian Tire to Open New Concepts
Toronto (May 9, 2008) Canadian Tire Corp. plans to launch two new store concepts this year, according to a Globe and Mail report.

It also plans to re-model bigger stores to focus on its stronger categories, such as sporting goods and hardware supplies. The concepts aim to help the company bolster its business after a sluggish economy caused weak sales in its first quarter, the report said.

Report: Gift Cards, Cash Most Popular Graduation Gifts
Washington, D.C. (May 9, 2008) Gift cards and cash are the most popular gifts to give graduates this year, according to the National Retail Federation's 2008 Graduation Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, conducted by BIGresearch.

Small-size items such as gift cards (35.6%) and cash (56.8%) will remain the most popular graduation gifts. Gift-givers also will bestow less-traditional favorites, such as apparel (10.8%) and electronics (11.6%).

American Eagle Outfitters CEO Takes Pay Cut in 2007
Philadelphia (May 9, 2008) The CEO of American Eagle Outfitters Inc. received a 7.6% cut in compensation for 2007 as the company's stock slumped, but he still hauled in $14.4 million, according to the Associated Press.

The company slashed James V. O'Donnell's bonus in half, but offset the decrease with a 32% jump in salary and a 4% bump in stock and option awards, according to a Friday filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Macy's Inc. Announces New Posts
Cincinnati (May 9, 2008) Macy's Inc. announced late Thursday that Daniel H. Edelman, currently president and COO of San Francisco-based Macy's West, has been appointed to the new corporate-level position of president for international retail development.

Robert B. Harrison, previously president and COO of Macy's Northwest in Seattle, will succeed Edelman as president and COO of the Macy's West division. Both appointments, said Macy's, are effective immediately.

Icahn "Stands Ready" to Buy Circuit City
Richmond, Va. (May 9, 2008) Blockbuster's largest shareholder announced Friday that he is prepared to buy Circuit City if Blockbuster cannot secure financing or shareholder approval for the acquisition.

Circuit City Stores revealed Friday that it received a letter from Blockbuster that indicated Carl Icahn "stands ready" to buy Circuit City on his own should Blockbuster not be able to make the deal.