Dollar Tree to Increase Spending after Solid FYThe chain said it will raise capital spending in 2011 to $215m-$225m, up from $179m last year. The money will go towards opening 300 new stores, 75 relocations and expansions, 35 new Deal$ stores, and 17 new Dollar Giant stores in Canada. The announcement came even as it said that net profit for the three months to 30 January were up 20.4% to $162.5m, with sales growing 10.7% to $1.73bn. For the full year, net profit was up 24% to $397.3m, sales grew by 12.4% to $5.9bn.
Kam City
TJX to Slow Down International Expansion after Weak FYThe TJX group of companies has said it will curb its expansion in foreign markets, even as it unveiled weak profit and sales growth for its last fiscal year. CEO Carol Meyrowitz said TJX will open only 27 new outlets across Europe this year, adding that due to last year's 54 new store openings. The announcement came even as the chain said the net profit for the three months to 29 January slid by 15% to $334.4m, although sales were up 6.6% to $6.33bn, rising by 2% on a like-for-like basis.
Kam City
Three Supermarket Chain Pharmacies Praised for Top ServiceThree supermarket chain pharmacies have been named among 40 companies on a list of J.D. Power 2011 Customer Service Champions. Publix, Wegmans and Winn-Dixie pharmacies were cited as providing high levels of customer service. Two non-supermarket pharmacies - Good Neighbor Pharmacy and Health Mart Pharmacy -also made this year's list.
Supermarket News
Loblaw to Enter U.S. with 'Joe Fresh'Loblaw Cos. said that it will be re-entering the U.S. retailing market - with apparel stores. Four units of its Joe Fresh stores, which sell stylish and low-cost apparel in a concept created by Joe Mirman, will be opening in New York later this year. Leighton said Loblaw would look to double the size of its T and T Supermarket division serving East Asian shoppers in Canada in the next three to four years and is starting to develop South Asian, East African and Middle East focused businesses.
Supermarket News
Reimagining the Urban GroceryThe sign for Mayberry Foodstuffs at the corner of Seventh and Main streets in Downtown Cincinnati announces itself as an "Urban Grocery Store," a very old concept that has nearly become extinct in Cincinnati, though many hope it will become a new trend. Along with fresh produce and a myriad of other food staples, the store is the only place selling fresh groceries or craft beer after 6 p.m. in Downtown Cincinnati. Areas with limited access to healthy food, which are often in minority and urban communities, are commonly referred to as food deserts.
Soapbox
Illinois Governor Signs Law on Organized Store ThieftGov. Pat Quinn signed legislation designed to stymie habitual thieves who steal merchandise from stores, and improve their chances of erasing their records if they behave. The new law takes aim at organized groups of criminals that steal goods, resell them and use the money to buy drugs, guns or support their continuing enterprise. A person convicted of three retail thefts within 18 months could face forfeiture of property purchased with the money made from selling the goods. The law will discourage organized thieves from ripping off stores in order to get a "quick source of revenues to do bad things."
Chicago Tribune | 
