NEW YORK — The weather outside was frightful, but sales inside were — if not delightful — encouraging. The weather outside was frightful, but sales inside were — if not delightful — encouraging. Retailers posted solid volume in January, sustaining the momentum from the fourth quarter of 2010 despite frequent snow, sleet and freezing rain
AUSTIN, Texas — Whole Foods Market Inc. raised its full-year earnings guidance after reporting strong results for its first fiscal quarter. Whole Foods Market Inc. raised its full-year earnings guidance after reporting strong results for its first fiscal quarter. "Identical-store sales increased 9.1%, our highest result in four years," said co-chief executive officer Walter Robb
DÜSSELDORF — Metro AG, Germany’s largest retailer, is looking primarily to China and India for growth over the next five years. Metro AG, Germany’s largest retailer, is looking primarily to China and India for growth over the next five years. In an interview in New Delhi, chief executive officer Eckhard Cordes said that China and
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — “Eat well, live well” is the core philosophy that underlies Wegmans Food Markets Inc.’s health and wellness strategy. “Eat well, live well” is the core philosophy that underlies Wegmans Food Markets Inc.’s health and wellness strategy. The chain is effectively tapping into the natural synergies between its pharmacies and its food offerings
PHOENIX — Supermarket operators have done a good job of using their stores’ perimeter departments to generate excitement and build traffic. Supermarket operators have done a good job of using their stores’ perimeter departments to generate excitement and build traffic. Grocery retailers have not done as well with the center of the store, though, according
PLEASANTON, Calif. — An advocacy group is backing a lawsuit filed by two consumers against Safeway Inc., charging that the retailer should have used its loyalty card information to contact them when products they bought were recalled. An advocacy group is backing a lawsuit filed by two consumers against Safeway Inc., charging that the retailer
Where Walmart is the subject, neutrality doesn’t exist. Industry people either like the retailer or dislike it. Observers either admire the company or are dismissive of it. Competitors respect the retailer’s strategies or are disdainful of them. Where Walmart is the subject, neutrality doesn’t exist. Industry people either like the retailer or dislike it. Observers
Just as mass market retailers and their suppliers are beginning to see some signs that, despite the discouraging employment picture and uneven economic recovery, many consumers are starting to spend more freely, the specter of rising commodity prices threatens to stop the momentum. Just as mass market retailers and their suppliers are beginning to see
WASHINGTON — Walmart has unveiled a major initiative designed to make packaged food more healthful and healthier food more affordable to all consumers. Walmart has unveiled a major initiative designed to make packaged food more healthful and healthier food more affordable to all consumers. The program was developed with the participation of first lady Michelle
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has tapped Duncan Mac Naughton to serve as chief merchandising officer for U.S. stores. Walmart has tapped Duncan Mac Naughton to serve as chief merchandising officer for U.S. stores. Mac Naughton joined the company in 2009 as chief merchandising officer for Walmart Canada. He most recently served as executive vice president
TORONTO — The resignation of Jürgen Schreiber as president and chief executive officer of Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM), announced late last month, caught the Canadian pharmacy community off guard. The resignation of Jürgen Schreiber as president and chief executive officer of Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM), announced late last month, caught the Canadian pharmacy community off