Sales and Earnings Up at Bed Bath & Beyond

In a positive third quarter, US chain Bed Bath & Beyond had net earnings of $188.6m against $151.3m in the same period a year ago.  Sales during the period to November 27 were up 11.1% to $2.19bn.  Amongst the retailer's newer ventures are Christmas Tree Shops, five of which were opened during the period, and BuybuyBaby stores, seven new branches of which opened. Five new Bed Bath & Beyond outlets were also added.  The company has also linked up with the Cost Plus World Market chain, trialling some of its merchandise in three stores..

Housewares Live

99� Only Stores Reports Third Quarter Sales

99� Only Stores reports total sales of $365.4 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2011 ended December 25, 2010. This represents an increase of 1.7% over total sales of $359.1 million for the same quarter in the prior year. The Company's total retail sales for the quarter were $354.1 million, compared to $348.9 million for the same quarter last year. 

Zacks

Target Corp. to Expand Its Offerings

Minneapolis-based Target Corp. plans to remodel about 400 of its general merchandise stores across the nation in 2011, building upon the discounter's latest strategy to bulk up its grocery offerings.  That's on top of the 350 general merchandise stores in the nation that Target remodeled last year in rolling out its "P Fresh" concept, which typically increased its grocery offerings by 40 percent.  

SC Times

Jean Coutu Has Mixed Q3 Results

Canadian drugstore chain, Jean Coutu Group, has reported mixed results for its fiscal third quarter, with profits growing but sales dipping due to increased demand for generics. The company later said that government measures to cut the cost of generic drugs are likely to be offset by its store growth.  For the three months to 27 November 2010, net profit rose by 7.6% to C$48m, but revenues were down by 0.1% to C$677.3m.  Jean Coutu opened 16 new drugstores, including five store relocations, during the quarter.

Kam City

16 Store Plan for Waitrose in Scotland

POSH supermarket Waitrose are planning to open another 16 stores in Scotland over the next five years.  The move could create hundreds of jobs across the country.  It would also give a welcome boost to Scottish producers, as the chain pride themselves on stocking locally sourced products.

The Drinks Business

Intermarch� Target 100 Belgium Supermarkets by 2012

French supermarket chain Intermarch� has pledged to have 100 stores open in Belgium by 2012, according to local press reports. Currently, the retailer operates 56 supermarkets and 18 convenience stores in the country. Six new stores opened in 2010, while eight more are planned for 2011. 

European Supermarket Magazine

Future Group on Expansion Mode in Bengal

Future Group which is also India's largest retailer is all set to make a marked expansion soiree in West Bengal over the next three years.  "We are looking at increasing the number of Big Bazaar stores from the present 18 to 30 and the number of Pantaloons stores to eight from the current five", said Manish Agarwal, general manager, sales and merchandising, Future Group.  The group is also looking at expanding presence across formats and stores in the eastern region overall.

Business Standard

Spencer's Retail to Expand Chain, Looking for Investors

Spencer's Retaill has said it plans to open 15 to 20 new hypermarkets across India in the next fiscal year, even as it looks for external investors. The company currently has 200 stores, and said it will invest around Rs.1bn (€17m) on the new openings.

Kam City