All North America articles – Page 35
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News
Walmart announces key executive changes
Walmart said that Brian Cornell is stepping down as chief executive of Sam’s Club. Cornell cited personal reasons for the decision to leave. From February 1, he will be replaced by Rosalind Brewer who most recently served as president of the Walmart US east business unit. Walmart disclosed several other ...
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AnalysisNRF: Why technology matters to retail
2012 will be a key year for retailers, with spending constrained and structural changes hitting hard. Retailers at this year’s NRF conference showed they’re tackling the hurdles head on, finds Rebecca Thomson.
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News
Kroger launches fully-automated convenience store
Grocery retailer Kroger has launched a fully-automated convenience store on the campus of Ohio Northern University in Ada. The 9-ft tall unit, provided by Shop24 Global, offers about 200 standard convenience products such as drinks, snacks, refrigerated meals, cleaning supplies and over-the-counter medicines. The machine’s stocking and dispensing system can ...
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AnalysisUS discounters turn up the heat in grocery sector
Last week, US-based discount retailer Family Dollar posted a 7.6% increase in net sales to $2.1bn (£1.36bn) on the back of strong growth in the consumables category.
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News
Merger announced for Shopko and Pamida
Shopko and Pamida, both owned by an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, are to merge. The retailers expect the deal to close in mid-February, and financial details have not been disclosed. With Shopko and Pamida’s annual revenues of $2bn (£1.29bn) and $1bn (£647.4m) respectively, the companies will operate nearly 350 ...
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NewsTesco to close 12 Fresh & Easy stores
Tesco is to temporarily close 12 of its Fresh & Easy stores in the US in the face of harsh of economic conditions.
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News
GNC to expand outside the US
Nutritional specialist GNC is to expand outside the US, with plans for more than 200 new international stores, chief executive Joe Fortunato told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The openings include new market entries in Russia, Brazil and the EU.GNC, which already operates about 2,500 international stores, also plans 160 new stores ...
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News
Lowe’s acquires online retailer ATG Stores
Home improvement retailer Lowe’s has acquired ATG Stores, an online retailer of home enhancement and lifestyle products based in Washington. Lowe’s said the deal allowed it to capitalise on complementary strengths and employees’ expertise by sharing best practices for online marketing and merchandising.“The addition of ATG Stores is a strategic ...
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OpinionM&A climate poised for improvement
Private equity needs to go shopping in 2012, and global M&A activity will continue despite market volatility.
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AnalysisSears reveals up to 120 store closures in the US
Last week, US department store and general merchandise group Sears Holdings disclosed plans to close 100 to 120 Kmart and full-line Sears stores.
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News
Dollar Tree introduces transactional mobile-optimised website
Discounter Dollar Tree has introduced a transactional mobile-optimised website powered by Usablenet.The new site allows users to search for a specific item by keyword, product number or category and features a store locator.It also leverages social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, enabling Dollar Tree to build its brand awareness ...
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News
Demandtec strikes merger agreement with IBM
Walmart’s vendor of price optimisation software Demandtec has struck a merger agreement with IBM worth $440m (£281.6m).Demandtec’s cloud-based analytics solution helps retailers to adjust pricing according to customer buying patterns. Demandtec serves about 450 clients worldwide, including some of the biggest names in retail such as Casino, Ahold, Delhaize and ...
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AnalysisGap has its sights set on Europe for future growth
US clothing retailer Gap is confident it can weather the fallout from Europe’s sovereign debt crisis.
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AnalysisAmazon’s Price Check app: What do retailers need to know?
Amazon’s app has provoked controversy in the US, where retailers fear becoming showrooms for the etailer.
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News
Amazon introduces e-book fund
Amazon has introduced a $6m (£3.85m) fund under the Kindle Direct Publishing Select scheme for authors who make their e-books exclusive to Amazon Kindle for at least 90 days.The etailer expects to pay authors from the pot when their books are borrowed under the Kindle Lending Library, which is part ...
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News
Saks Fifth Avenue relaunches SaksPOV website
Upmarket department store group Saks Fifth Avenue has relaunched the SaksPOV website after five months of development.SaksPOV offers shoppers insight on fashion, culture and art and includes multimedia content, Saks brand coverage and lifestyle pieces. Saks Direct chief marketing officer and president Denise Incandela said: “We will use SaksPOV as ...
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News
Retailers pilot Google’s new indoor mapping function
Ikea, Macy’s and Home Depot are piloting Google’s new indoor mapping functionality to help shoppers find products in stores. Shoppers with Android smartphones will be able to use the tool, which forms part of the newly released Google Maps 6.0. The functionality works like Google’s outside mapping service and can ...
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News
Toys R Us introduces QR codes to showcase best-sellers
Toys R Us has introduced QR codes to billboards in the New York metro area to encourage mobile shopping. Commuters and travellers will be able to use their mobile phones to scan codes on posters located at airports and 40 transit stations, which showcase some of the retailer’s best-selling items.Toys ...
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NewsZulily recruits Kirby ahead of UK launch
US online private Sales site Zulily is to launch in the UK and has hired former Monsoon digital chief Kristine Kirby to head the operation.
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News
Barnes & Noble narrows net loss
Bookseller Barnes & Noble narrowed its net loss from $12.6m (£8m) to $6.6m (£4.2m) for its second quarter ended October 29. Sales dropped 0.6% to $1.89bn (£1.21bn), with a decline in physical book sales offset by growth for its Nook product family. The retailer said that its Nook tablet has ...