Retail News

The Company expects to realize estimated after-tax proceeds, net of transaction expenses and outstanding payables, of approximately $175 million from the sale. via PR-inside.com

“That level of reaction is unusual.”

After its CEO got caught bashing competitors and talking up his company's stock in anonymous Internet forum posts, Whole Foods Market Inc. via PC World

Safeway Inc. announced today their stores located in the Seattle Division raised $2,087,551 during their month-long breast cancer fundraising and public service campaign. via Business Wire

VACAVILLE A Wells Fargo Bank located inside a Safeway Inc. store in Vacaville was robbed on Saturday, according to the Vacaville Police Department. via CBS 5

“The park's history and environmental importance makes it an ideal location for a MILES all-electric car.”

The corrected release reads: MILES ELECTRIC VEHICLES TO DONATE ALL-ELECTRIC CAR TO THE UNISPHERE FOUNDATION; GIFT WILL SUPPORT GREEN EFFORTS IN FLUSHING MEADOWS CORONA PARK Official Presentation to Be Made ... via PR-inside.com

“We were informed today by Toys R Us International and our local distributor Just Fun that this product was harmful, so an immediate recall began. We sent out urgent memos to our 63 stores countrywide”

By Sharlene Packree and Rivonia Naidu A toy containing a chemical that converts into a powerful "date rape" drug when ingested is being hastily pulled from South African toy store shelves. via The Mercury

“This softness in October will translate into continued softness in November and December.”

Most U.S. retail chains suffered through a dismal, record-warm October, with leader Wal-Mart Stores Inc falling short of Wall Street same-store sales estimates and the apparel sector continuing to struggle. via KXAM-TV Austin

Private equity firm Catterton Partners will acquire Restoration Hardware Inc. for approximately $267 million. via DM News

More than two years have passed since Federated Department Stores bought May Company for $11 billion and started shifting shoppers nationwide to the Macy's brand. via WIFR

A competitor of Bentonville-based Wal-Mart in Britain that is preparing to launch stores in the U.S. has hired a Little Rock firm to provide data for possible store locations. via KATV Little Rock

“The law specifically allows pharmacists to dispense drugs with a prescription to a patient's agent”

Shopko Stores and its pharmacist in Mitchell are not liable for the death of a man who died after snorting a disabled friend's prescription medicine, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday. via Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan

“It was very, very frightening.”

The Australian company behind a popular Chinese-made toy found to contain a chemical that converts into a potentially fatal drug when ingested said Friday it was investigating how the toxin ended up in its ... via WJLA-TV Arlington

“However, we chose not to adopt a heavily promotional focus in the quarter and were able to maintain stable margin rates despite the slower sales growth”

Scenarios for a possible acquisition of IAC/InterActiveCorp's HSN by John Malone's Liberty Media, which already owns home-shopping network QVC, were the focus of Liberty's recent quarterly earnings call. via Hollywood Reporter

“Therefore, you want to watch the biggest piece of the economy very carefully.”

A disappointing October sales report sent a clear signal to retailers that they will have to pull out all the stops to get shoppers into their stores this holiday season as declining home values, tighter credit terms and rising gas prices appear to have left consumers feeling spent. The nation's biggest chain stores posted the second consecutive month of weak sales results, underscoring their concerns that sales growth this holiday season could be the slowest in five years.

Sales at chain stores opened at least a year rose 1.6 percent in October compared with the same month last year, and below the forecast of 2.4 percent growth put forth by the International Council of Shopping Centers. September sales rose 1.7 percent. 'Consumers are exerting a lot of caution,' said Mandy Putnam, vice president at TNS Retail Forward Inc., a Columbus, Ohio-based market research and consulting firm. 'Even with the number of promotions breaking early right now, retailers are really going to have to work hard to get them into the stores this season.' Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, eked out a 0.4 percent sales increase by getting a jump on the holiday with early discounts on toys and electronics. Mid-tier department stores and mall-based specialty stores fared poorly, posting across-the-board declines. The lone standouts were luxury department stores. Read more

“He was unconscious in this coma for about six hours. And then over the course of just a few minutes, went from being completely asleep to wide awake and playing like nothing ever happened.”

A woman whose toddler son ingested a popular toy that contains a chemical that turns into a powerful "date rape" drug when eaten said Thursday she knew he was ill when he began to stumble, seemed drunk and ... via Press & Sun-Bulletin

WASHINGTON : Seven more U.S. children were sickened after ingesting Chinese-made toy beads that were recalled earlier this week because of a toxic chemical coating, the government said Friday. via International Herald Tribune

“We have an exceptional group of people at Levitz who have made great strides to improve our business during a challenging period for our entire industry.”

Home furnishings retailer Levitz Furniture filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Thursday in an effort to stay in business despite a lack of cash.

The company's request for reorganization under court protection is part of a strategic effort to evaluate its options, including a possible sale, the privately held company said. It is the third time Levitz has sought court protection in just over 10 years.

The company _ known in many corners of the country for its 'You'll love it at Levitz' slogan _ asked the court for approval to continue meeting obligations such as fulfilling customer orders and paying its staff, and that it be allowed to pay for goods and services further down the road. Read more

Office Depot Inc. says it will revise some past financial statements after it completed an independent review of vendor-program accounting. via Canadian Business Magazine

“The plan is to draw more customers with exclusive alliances and then sell them their private labels as well”

Macy's Inc. is turning to star power this holiday season to fight disappointing sales and resistance to its takeover of local department stores.

Macy's launched star-packed ads featuring celebrities such as Donald Trump and R&B singer Usher, made changes in merchandise including exclusive alliances with well-known designer brands and returned to more promotions at some locations.

The changes are meant to drive traffic and win over shoppers in some markets where the Macy's name replaced local favorites it absorbed as part of its acquisition of the May Department Stores Co. in 2005. Read more

The Kroger grocery store chain is recalling a batch of its Kroger brand Light Caesar Salad Dressing because the back of the bottle was labeled with information on Light Asian Salad Dressing. via WSJV-TV South Bend