Running the World's Biggest Retailer
from Parade Magazine
Michael Duke is the president and CEO of Wal-Mart, which has more than 8000 stores and 2.1 million employees around the world. Read what the retail giant's top selling item is and what make it stand out above the rest, among other things. More

Charlotte Russe Agrees to be Sold to Advent International
from Los Angeles Times
Specialty retailer Charlotte Russe Holding Inc. said that it had agreed to be acquired for about $380 million by investment funds managed by a private equity firm. Advent International Corp. agreed to pay $17.50 a share in cash to take over the San Diego chain, which announced in March that it was formally putting itself up for sale after a difficult holiday season. More

Dollar Tree's Fiscal 2Q Net Up 51 Percent; View Raised
from The Wall Street Journal
Dollar Tree Inc. reported a better-than-expected 51 percent jump in its fiscal second-quarter earnings, as thrifty consumers continued to shop at the company's stores for staple items. The results exceeded the company's expectations, prompting the discounter to boost its full-year outlook again and forecast stronger-than-expected earnings for the current quarter. Shares rose 4.4 percent to $50 in premarket trading. More

Albertsons Recognized as First Major Grocery Retailer to Earn LEED Certification on a Remodel
from Business Wire via Reuters
Albertsons' remodeled La Habra, Calif., store has been awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver established by the by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute making it the first major retail grocery store to receive such recognition for an interior remodel. LEED is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. More

Jos. A. Bank Plans Faster Expansion
from The Baltimore Sun
Jos. A. Bank Clothiers was forced to pull back aggressive expansion plans when the economy tanked and developers stopped building the open-air shopping centers where the men's retailer tended to locate. More

Williams-Sonoma Posts Surprise Profit; Shares Soar
from The Wall Street Journal
Home furnishings and kitchen ware retailer Williams-Sonoma Inc. reported a surprise second-quarter profit Wednesday, after it controlled costs and inventory to offset weaker demand following the collapse of housing market and the ensuing recession. More

Discounts Drive Mall Traffic
from The Associated Press via Google
Shoppers are still "picky," according to one retail watcher, but stores' discounts are propelling merchandise for children and young adults as the back-to-school season nears its peak. The new 1969 premium jeans line at Gap Inc. is boosting customers and receipts, said FBR Capital Markets analyst Adrienne Tennant in a note to investors, thanks in part to the $20 off deal Gap is running. More

Best Buy Goes Mobile with Dallas-Fort Worth Mall Stores
from The Dallas Morning News
Best Buy Co. has picked the Dallas-Fort Worth market to open the first of its 40 stand-alone mobile phone stores, a key part of its plan to become the leading U.S. retailer for the devices. The Best Buy Mobile stores offer services from AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, as well as a slew of prepaid companies, all under one roof. More

FedEx Office Earns Top Grade for Paper Policy, Amazon.com and Costco Fail
from GreenBiz
The latest Green Grades report card on paper policies gives FedEx Office and Office Depot high marks for avoiding paper from endangered and controversial sources, while Amazon.com, Costco and others gets F's. The Green Grades report, now in its third year, is compiled by ForestEthics and the Dogwood Alliance, and is based on surveys sent to companies and separate research. More

Walgreens Announces Pharmacy Management Excellence Program with Caterpillar
from Drug Store News
A retail giant and the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment have announced an agreement that establishes a direct relationship for the purchase of prescription drugs using a transparent pricing model. Walgreens Pharmacy Management Excellence program provides transparent prescription drug pricing to employers who offer prescription drug benefits to their employees, dependents and retirees. Under the program, Caterpillar is given a Walgreens Proprietary Price List which is based off of the cost Walgreens pays the drug manufacturer. More