BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Costco Wholesale Corp.’s loss has been Sam’s Club’s gain. With Costco customers frustrated by problems with the Washington-based chain’s new Visa card, Sam’s accepted Costco membership cards through July 4. Sam’s action came after many Costco customers never received the Visa card from Citigroup Inc. that was supposed to replace their American
WASHINGTON — The nation’s largest retailers have collectively held their top spots thanks to one common denominator: rethinking merchandise offerings while enhancing their omnichannel efforts. This is one of the findings from an annual ranking of U.S. retailers by domestic sales compiled by the National Retail Federation and Kantar Retail. According to the findings, retail’s
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens, the biggest component of Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., has added new features to its paperless coupon program, which first appeared in 2014. The company also announced that since the program’s debut more than 135 million coupons from Walgreens and manufacturers have been virtually “clipped” and there has been a continual increase
NEW YORK — Amazon.com Inc. has scheduled its second annual Prime Day — the online retailer’s version of Black Friday for its Prime members — for July 12. The one-day promotional event, offering numerous discounts, is exclusively for members of the Amazon Prime loyalty program. According to the company, the first Prime Day, which occurred
SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion announced it would start accepting mobile payments at its nearly 1,100 grocery stores. The retailer said customers using Apple Pay, Android Pay and Samsung Pay could pay for purchases using their mobile devices. The technology helps Food Lion make customers’ shopping experiences quick and easy, the company said in a
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Walmart Canada veteran Lee Tappenden will become the company’s new chief executive officer, effective August 15. He joined Walmart Canada in 2010 and has held several senior positions since then. Tappenden currently is chief operations officer. He will succeed Dirk Van den Berghe, who assumed the role in August 2014. Before joining
The new year is quickly becoming the old year. In other words, 2016 is halfway done. Depending on your point of view, 2016 has thus far been a year of little consequence or momentous happenings. Let’s take the latter view and assume that the current year has been one of serious and lasting change, especially
Retailers would do well to pay more attention to macroeconomic trends and work to push them in a direction that is conducive to their business. The International Monetary Fund’s annual assessment of the U.S. economy, which was released last month, includes some findings that raise troubling questions about the long-term health of the mass market.
SECAUCUS, N.J. — Former Family Dollar Stores Inc. and Walmart executive Jason Reiser has been named chief operating officer of Vitamin Shoppe Inc. Reiser, whose appointment takes effect July 11, will have overall day-to-day responsibility for Vitamin Shoppe’s operational execution (store operations, merchandising, supply chain and information technology) and for leading those teams through implementing
MIAMI — Southeastern Grocers LLC, the parent company of BI-LO, Harveys and Winn-Dixie stores, unveiled the company’s new store banner at the grand opening of Fresco y Más during a ribbon-cutting ceremony last month. The new store, occupying a former Winn-Dixie location in the heart of Hialeah, Fla., has been tailored to provide the products
WASHINGTON — U.S. retail sales increased for the second consecutive month in May, rising 0.5% following April’s 1.3% gain, according to the Commerce Department. Core retail sales, which exclude automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services, increased 0.4% last month after an upwardly revised 1% gain in April. The core retail sales correspond most closely
BEDFORD, N.H. — Hannaford Supermarkets has debuted a concept store here with added amenities. The replacement outlet features ready-to-eat meals that can be taken out or eaten in the store, as well as fruits and vegetables cut to order. There are also more than 230 craft beers and a deep selection of wines. The supermarket