Pilot Pen G2 Edge

2012

Shopping for holidays starts early

WASHINGTON — Eyeing popular toys, fashions and exclusive products, consumers have already made a dent in their holiday shopping lists. According to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF’s) holiday consumer spending survey conducted by BIGinsight, 52.8% of Americans started their holiday shopping in mid-November, up from 51.4% last year. Eyeing popular toys, fashions and exclusive products,

Kroger moves to tap specialty Rx boom

CINCINNATI — Kroger Co. is entering the high-growth specialty pharmacy market by acquiring the outstanding shares of Axium Pharmacy Holdings Inc., which will merge the companies. Kroger Co. is entering the high-growth specialty pharmacy market by acquiring the outstanding shares of Axium Pharmacy Holdings Inc., which will merge the companies. Founded in 2000, Axium provides

Six Publix executives promoted

LAKELAND, Fla. — Six veteran Publix Supermarket Inc. employees will assume new officer positions effective January 1. Chief executive officer Ed Crenshaw announced that the positions are in human resources, information technology and retail operations. Six veteran Publix Supermarket Inc. employees will assume new officer positions effective January 1. Chief executive officer Ed Crenshaw announced

O’Boyle takes helm at Marsh

INDIANAPOLIS — Thomas O’Boyle Jr. has been named chairman, president and chief executive officer at Marsh Supermarkets. O’Boyle recently resigned as executive vice president of merchandising, marketing, supply chain and logistics at A&P. Thomas O’Boyle Jr. has been named chairman, president and chief executive officer at Marsh Supermarkets. O’Boyle recently resigned as executive vice president

Walmart broadens internal investigation

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — An internal investigation of Walmart’s actions in developing markets has now extended beyond the company’s Mexican subsidiary to include Brazil, China and India. An internal investigation of Walmart’s actions in developing markets has now extended beyond the company’s Mexican subsidiary to include Brazil, China and India. The expansion comes a year after

Swipe fee settlement clears hurdle

WASHINGTON — Despite objections from hundreds of retailers, a federal judge has preliminarily approved a $7.2 billion settlement of a class-action lawsuit over so-called swipe fees. Despite objections from hundreds of retailers, a federal judge has preliminarily approved a $7.2 billion settlement of a class-action lawsuit over so-called swipe fees. If the deal gets final

Carrefour alters urban retailing

At a time when retailers are increasingly focusing attention on the urban dweller and city worker, no company has been more aggressive than Carrefour, the $103 billion retailer that is the world’s second-largest, behind only Walmart. At a time when retailers are increasingly focusing attention on the urban dweller and city worker, no company has

Execs call for action to avert fiscal cliff

Business leaders have come forward at a crucial moment in an effort to help shape a national consensus on what to do about the looming fiscal cliff, a combination of hundreds of billions of dollars in tax hikes and spending cuts that will automatically take effect on January 1 if President Obama and Congress fail

In Sandy’s aftermath

NEW YORK — The aftermath of Hurricane Sandy is expected to shift consumer priorities in the crucial holiday shopping season. The aftermath of Hurricane Sandy is expected to shift consumer priorities in the crucial holiday shopping season. The result could be weaker-than-expected sales for department stores and specialty apparel stores, particularly in November, as consumers

Chains step forward to provide aid

NEW YORK — Retailers have once again proven to be among the first responders in times of natural disaster. Walmart pledged to donate up to $1.5 million to the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and Feeding America to help with relief efforts. Retailers have once again proven to be among the first responders in times

Mass chains eke out monthly sales gains

NEW YORK — October mass market retail sales were less than stellar, even though results did not, for the most part, reflect any major impact from Hurricane Sandy. Department stores, on the other hand, outperformed analysts’ expectations. October mass market retail sales were less than stellar, even though results did not, for the most part,