Content about Company Competitor

May 7, 2013

Editor's Note: Chain Store Age's 24th annual survey of Fastest-Growing Managers measures new domestic and international third-party management and leasing contracts obtained during the preceding calendar year (2012).

Last year's numbers were such that we couldn't limit our annual Fastest-Growing third-party managers listing to a top five; a sixth was added because the contract totals were that close.

March 6, 2013

Fast Company magazine and Target are sponsoring a competition, the Target Retail Accelerator, that will award $75,000 to a developer who creates the best new mobile app or mobile website for the retailer.

New York -- Fast Company magazine and Target are sponsoring a competition, the Target Retail Accelerator, that will award $75,000 to a developer who creates the best new mobile app or mobile website for the retailer.  

Fast Company will chronicle the developers' efforts on the website of its new technology vertical Co.Labs.

February 8, 2013

Everybody loves a turnaround story. RadioShack is betting that the now-former president of daily living products and solutions for Walgreens, Joe Magnacca, will help author a turnaround story of its own for the small-box consumer electronics retailer.

Everybody loves a turnaround story. RadioShack is betting that the now-former president of daily living products and solutions for Walgreens, Joe Magnacca, will help author a turnaround story of its own for the small-box consumer electronics retailer.

September 21, 2012

The leaves haven’t even turned yet in my part of the country, but the holiday onslaught is already well under way. Specifically, the annual deluge of forecasts and predictions as retail consultants, analysts, economists and others try to read the tea leaves with regards to the upcoming holiday season.

September 21, 2012

Amazon.com, Trader Joe’s and Costco Wholesale Corp. came out on top with consumers in a survey by global consulting firm OC&C Strategy Consultants. Rounding out the top five were Zappos and iTunes.

September 12, 2012

The nation’s chain retailers lead the nation when it comes to commercial solar energy use, according to a report released by the Solar Energy Industries Association and Vote Solar Initiative advocacy group.

Orlando, Fla. -- The nation’s chain retailers lead the nation when it comes to commercial solar energy use, according to a report by the Solar Energy Industries Association and Vote Solar Initiative advocacy group.

August 27, 2012

IBM has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Kenexa, a provider of human resources software and consulting services for approximately $1.3 billion in cash.

Armonk, N.Y. -- IBM has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Kenexa, a provider of human resources software and consulting services for approximately $1.3 billion in cash.

The acquisition helps make the Armonk, N.Y., company more competitive with database maker Oracle Corp. and German business software maker SAP AG, said Rick Sherlund of Nomura Equity Research, Kenexa’s software is intended to help companies recruit and manage talent through online social networking, collaboration and consulting tools.

June 26, 2012

Coinstar Inc. said it has completed its $100 million acquisition of DVD rental kiosks and other assets from rival NCR Corp.

Bellevue, Wash. -- Coinstar Inc. said Monday it has completed its $100 million acquisition of DVD rental kiosks and other assets from rival NCR Corp.
 
Under the terms of the deal, Coinstar will buy products and services from NCR. According to Coinstar, the addition of the kiosks will allow its Redbox DVD rental kiosks to expand to new retail partners.
 

June 18, 2012

Walmart Supercenter wins the pricing battle over Amazon and Walmart.com, according to a new study by Kantar Retail.

Cambridge, Mass. -- Walmart Supercenter wins the pricing battle over Amazon and Walmart.com, according to a new study by Kantar Retail. The study evaluates how a Walmart Supercenter basket contends with its online equivalent, Walmart.com, and its key online competitor, Amazon.

May 22, 2012

Williams-Sonoma has appointed former editor-in-chief of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia’s Everyday Food Anna Last as the chain's SVP and executive creative director.

San Francisco — Williams-Sonoma has appointed former editor-in-chief of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia’s Everyday Food Anna Last as the chain's SVP and executive creative director. Last will oversee all facets of the brand’s expression in the Williams-Sonoma catalog, on Williams-sonoma.com and in the brand’s store environments.

May 2, 2012

The Ascena Retail Group said it will acquire Charming Shoppes Inc., parent company of Lane Bryant, for about $890 million.

Suffern, N.Y. -- The Ascena Retail Group said Wednesday it will acquire Charming Shoppes Inc., parent company of Lane Bryant, for about $890 million.

April 3, 2012

American Express Co. has become the first company to pull its gift cards from being sold in New Jersey drug stores, supermarkets and convenience stores in response to a controversial new revision in the state's unclaimed property law.

New York -- American Express Co. has become the first company to pull its gift cards from being sold in New Jersey drug stores, supermarkets and convenience stores in response to a controversial new revision in the state's unclaimed property law. (The only way New Jersey residents can now buy AmEx gift cards is directly from the company.)

February 14, 2012

Research results released Tuesday by Temkin Group, which rates the customer experience of 206 large companies across 18 industries, showed that only eight companies deliver excellent customer experience: Sam's Club and Publix led the pack, followed by Starbucks, Subway, Chick-fil-A, Aldi, Winn-Dixie, H.E.B., and credit unions.

Waban, Mass. -- Research results released Tuesday by Temkin Group, which rates the customer experience of 206 large companies across 18 industries, showed that only eight companies deliver excellent customer experience: Sam's Club and Publix led the pack, followed by Starbucks, Subway, Chick-fil-A, Aldi, Winn-Dixie, H.E.B., and credit unions.

According to the 2012 Temkin Experience Ratings, in its second year, 76 companies (37% of the total) earned "poor" or "very poor" ratings.

January 24, 2012

Apple stores around the world are pulling in an annual average of $4,709 sales per square foot, CNN Money reported.

New York City -- Apple stores around the world are pulling in an annual average of $4,709 sales per square foot, CNN Money reported.

While a handful of super-high-end luxury retailers with limited floor space in New York City and foreign capitols may do better, Apple’s numbers make it by far the most valuable chain in the United States. Apple’s closest chain competitor is Tiffany & Co., which garners an average of $2,974 per square foot, according to the report.

 

January 19, 2012

Starbucks Corp. is closing in on its retail deal with India’s Tata Coffee Ltd., which makes and exports instant coffee and plantation coffee, Reuters reported.

New York City -- Starbucks Corp. is closing in on its retail deal with India’s Tata Coffee Ltd., which makes and exports instant coffee and plantation coffee, Reuters reported.

Tata Coffee plans to open a Starbucks coffee shop by the end of this year, the report said.

January 3, 2012

Sears Holdings Corp. hired Ron Boire, the former president and chief executive of Brookstone Inc. to lead its merchandising and retail stores for both the Sears and Kmart brands.

New York City -- Sears Holdings Corp. hired Ron Boire, the former president and chief executive of Brookstone Inc. to lead its merchandising and retail stores for both the Sears and Kmart brands. Prior to Brookstone, Boire served as president, U.S. Toys, North America for Toys “R” Us from 2006 to 2009, where he was in charge of merchandising, marketing and operations

"We are in the midst of a transformation of our business, from top to bottom...," Sears CEO Lou D'Ambrosio said in a statement on Tuesday.

December 7, 2011

The retail sector continues to edge tentatively toward recovery, buoyed by a strong start to the holiday shopping season, but several obstacles stand in the way of sustained progress in 2012, according to Jones Lang LaSalle’s North America Year-end Retail Outlook.

New York City -- The retail sector continues to edge tentatively toward recovery, buoyed by a strong start to the holiday shopping season, but several obstacles stand in the way of sustained progress in 2012, according to Jones Lang LaSalle’s North America Year-end Retail Outlook.

October 20, 2011

A Thursday report by Bloomberg said that South Africa’s Competition Appeal Court began hearing a government lawsuit filed to compel regulators to review a decision allowing Wal-Mart Stores to acquire 51% interest in Massmart Holdings Ltd.

Cape Town, South Africa -- A Thursday report by Bloomberg said that South Africa’s Competition Appeal Court began hearing a government lawsuit filed to compel regulators to review a decision allowing Wal-Mart Stores to acquire 51% interest in Massmart Holdings Ltd.

August 23, 2011

A Tuesday report by Bloomberg said that Shoprite Holdings Ltd. has announced plans to speed up its store expansion this year as it faces increased competition from Wal-Mart Stores.

Cape Town, South Africa -- A Tuesday report by Bloomberg said that Shoprite Holdings Ltd. has announced plans to speed up its store expansion this year as it faces increased competition from Wal-Mart Stores.

South Africa’s largest retailer by market value, Shoprite said it will add 106 stores by June 2012. That compares with 96 openings in the same period last year. The company currently operates 1,246 stores.

August 4, 2011

The nation’s specialty apparel retailers reported mixed results in July. as Hot Topic and Limited Brands turned in strong performances, while Gap and Aeropostale stumbled.

New York City -- The nation’s specialty apparel retailers reported mixed results in July. as Hot Topic and Limited Brands turned in strong performances, while Gap and Aeropostale stumbled.

Hot Topic said its same-store sales rose 7.3% in July. far exceeding the 0.5% rise in analysts’ forecast. Hot Topic said the measure rose 6.2% at its namesake stores and rose 11.8% at its plus-sized Torrid division. The teen retailer also raised its second-quarter outlook.

June 2, 2011

The Jones Group has acquired Kurt Geiger, Europe's largest luxury shoe retailer from Graphite Capital, a leading United Kingdom mid-market private equity firm, for approximately $350 million in cash, inclusive of debt acquired.

New York City -- The Jones Group has acquired Kurt Geiger, Europe's largest luxury shoe retailer from Graphite Capital, a leading United Kingdom mid-market private equity firm, for approximately $350 million in cash, inclusive of debt acquired.

The acquisition further extends Jones' reach into the designer footwear business through Kurt Geiger's portfolio of high-end brands and presence in leading department stores, such as Harrods and Selfridges.

April 27, 2011

7-Eleven has signed an agreement to purchase Wilson Farms, a Buffalo-based convenience store chain with 188 locations in New York State, with an expected closing in the second quarter.

Dallas -- 7-Eleven has signed an agreement to purchase Wilson Farms, a Buffalo-based convenience store chain with 188 locations in New York State, with an expected closing in the second quarter. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

April 22, 2011

Office Depot is launching the 2011 Green Business Challenge in partnership with Local Governments for Sustainability USA (ICLEI) and elected officials from across the United States.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot is launching the 2011 Green Business Challenge in partnership with Local Governments for Sustainability USA (ICLEI) and elected officials from across the United States.

April 13, 2011

As merchants big and small still try to figure out how to best use Facebook, a few major trends have surfaced, including some that could potentially shape the future of e-commerce. 


One of the fastest-growing trends among retailers on Facebook is also the most simple: posting contests and promotions. In fact, Walmart’s Facebook site grew by 1 million “fans” in the first quarter of 2011 by running contests and offering deals.


April 1, 2011

Several bidders, including Dish Network Corp. and billionaire investor Carl Icahn, are ready to battle for Blockbuster at a bankruptcy auction in New York on Monday, the Associated Press reported.

New York City -- Several bidders, including Dish Network Corp. and billionaire investor Carl Icahn, are ready to battle for Blockbuster at a bankruptcy auction in New York on Monday, the Associated Press reported. The chain, which filed Chapter 11 in February, has received several bids other than the opening bid of $290 million from a group of debtholders made in February.

Dish and Icahn have each submitted a bid, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday.