Content about Geography of California

May 20, 2013
Target tests omnichannel waters in Bay Area

Target is the latest retailer heading to the Silicon Valley to develop its omnichannel business.

NEW YORK — Target is the latest retailer heading to the Silicon Valley to develop its omnichannel business.

The mass merchandise retailer announced the opening of a new office in San Francisco that will allow it to work with technology companies in the area to create new digital and mobile shopping programs.

April 9, 2013
Stater Bros. opens its most modern supermarket

Stater Bros. has broke ground on its newest and most modern supermarket in the Redlands Village Shopping Center, which is being developed by Lewis Retail Centers.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Stater Bros. has broke ground on its newest and most modern supermarket in the Redlands Village Shopping Center, which is being developed by Lewis Retail Centers.

The new Redlands Stater Bros. Supermarket will be located on the northwest corner of Lugonia and Wabash Avenues and will replace a smaller Stater Bros. Supermarket located at 1786 Lugonia Avenue. 

April 8, 2013
Post closes Modesto plant

Post Holdings announced that after discussions with the union representing hourly employees at the Modesto, Calif. plant, the company's management has made a decision to close the Modesto plant.

ST. LOUIS — Post Holdings announced that after discussions with the union representing hourly employees at the Modesto, Calif. plant, the company's management has made a decision to close the Modesto plant.  The Modesto plant has approximately 140 employees. The transfer of production capabilities and closure of the plant is expected to be completed by September 2014. 

April 2, 2013
Safeway launches campaign to help people with disabilities

The Safeway Foundation has launched its annual April fundraising campaign to benefit Easter Seals, Special Olympics and a range of organizations that help people with disabilities live fuller, more independent lives.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — The Safeway Foundation has launched its annual April fundraising campaign to benefit Easter Seals, Special Olympics and a range of organizations that help people with disabilities live fuller, more independent lives.

The company's Support for People with Disabilities campaign, along with other fundraising activities, have contributed more than $140 million to Easter Seals, Special Olympics and an array of organizations that assist people with special needs.  

March 20, 2013
Replacement named for long-time Williams-Sonoma president

Janet Hayes, currently the president of Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen, will become president of the Williams-Sonoma brand, effective March 20.

SAN FRANCISCO — Janet Hayes, currently the president of Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen, will become president of the Williams-Sonoma brand, effective March 20. She replaces Richard Harvey, who will be leaving the company on May 3, 2013, after 30 years of service.

March 19, 2013
Williams-Sonoma has recipe for earnings success

Williams-Sonoma reported that fourth-quarter EPS grew 15% to $1.34 and that quarterly revenue grew to $1.406 billion versus $1.268 billion in 2011 with comparable brand revenue growth of 4%.

SAN FRANCISCO — Williams-Sonoma reported that fourth-quarter EPS grew 15% to $1.34 and that quarterly revenue grew to $1.406 billion versus $1.268 billion in 2011 with comparable brand revenue growth of 4%.

Fiscal 2012 EPS grew 14% to $2.54. Net revenues for the year grew to $4.043 billion versus $3.721 billion in FY 11 with comparable brand revenue growth of 6.1%.

February 21, 2013
Safeway earnings, sales up in Q4

Safeway Inc. reported net earnings from continuing operations of $1.06 per diluted share for the fourth quarter which ended Dec. 29, 2012.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway Inc. reported net earnings from continuing operations of $1.06 per diluted share for the fourth quarter which ended Dec. 29, 2012. This includes a $0.12 per diluted share benefit from legal settlements. When you exclude this benefit, earnings per diluted share is 94 cents. This represents a 58% improvement in earnings per diluted share over last year when the settlements are included and a 40% improvement when the settlements are excluded. 

February 18, 2013
Stater Bros. promotes long-time exec to head of retail ops

Stater Bros. has promoted Dan Meyer to the position of EVP retail operations.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Stater Bros. has promoted Dan Meyer to the position of EVP retail operations. In this position, Meyer will be responsible for the retail operations of all 167 Stater Bros. Supermarkets as well as overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Corporate Training Center.  

February 11, 2013
Wet Seal operations head resigns

The Wet Seal announced that Barbara Cook, SVP store operations, has resigned from the company to accept a new professional opportunity.

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. — The Wet Seal announced that Barbara Cook, SVP store operations, has resigned from the company to accept a new professional opportunity. Cook will remain with the company until Feb. 20 to assist with transition of her responsibilities.

John Goodman, CEO of The Wet Seal, Inc., commented: “We thank Barbara for her service to the company since joining us in late 2011 and wish her all the best in her new role.”

 

February 1, 2013
Neighborhood Market comes to bay area

Walmart’s efforts to gain share in California’s grocery market continued this week with the opening of another Neighborhood Market in San Jose.

Walmart’s efforts to gain share in California’s grocery market continued this week with the opening of another Neighborhood Market in San Jose.

The 41,000-sq.-ft. store is Walmart’s second Neighborhood Market in San Jose and third in the San Francisco area and could be a sign of more to come. Since opening it first Neighborhood Market in California last summer, the format has quickly grown to approximately 20 locations. And there are likely more to come as Walmart looks to accelerated expansion of smaller format stores nationwide in the coming years.

December 7, 2012
Sporting goods chain offers underwater Christmas with Santa

Santa Claus is coming to Sport Chalet, a sporting goods retailer, to take photos with everyone, young and old, under water.

LA CANADA, Calif. — Santa Claus is coming to Sport Chalet, a sporting goods retailer, to take photos with everyone, young and old, under water.

No experience is necessary for fans to pose with Santa, who will be at the store from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, December 15. Sport Chalet dive experts will be on hand to assist Santa fans, who must be at least 10 years old to dive. Younger children need not despair, however, as they will be able to snorkel alongside St. Nick for their photo.

November 16, 2012
Mattel names CEO Bryan G. Stockton chairman

Mattel’s board of directors has named CEO Bryan G. Stockton, 59, as chairman of the board, effective Jan. 1, 2013.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Mattel’s board of directors has named CEO Bryan G. Stockton, 59, as chairman of the board, effective Jan. 1, 2013. The current chairman, Robert A. Eckert, 58, informed the board of his decision to retire from his service as director and chairman of the board, effective Dec. 31. Stockton will continue to function as CEO, a position he’s held since Jan. 2012.

November 15, 2012
IKEA to double size of California store

IKEA intends to submit plans to the City of Burbank, California, for a new, larger location to replace its current one in the Los Angeles area.

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — IKEA intends to submit plans to the City of Burbank, California, for a new, larger location to replace its current one in the Los Angeles area.

November 12, 2012
Retired Williams-Sonoma exec joins Best Buy

Best Buy today announced that retired director, EVP, chief operating and CFO of Williams-Sonoma, Inc., Sharon McCollam, will join the company as its new chief administrative and CFO, effective Dec. 10, according to a Reuters report.

Minneapolis -- Best Buy today announced that retired director, EVP, chief operating and CFO of Williams-Sonoma, Inc., Sharon McCollam, will join the company as its new chief administrative and CFO, effective Dec. 10, according to a Reuters report. McCollam, 50, left Williams-Sonoma earlier this year after serving as an executive officer for more than 12 years.

McCollam succeeds CFO James Muehlbauer, whose departure was announced last month. Muehlbauer will leave the company at the end of this fiscal year, allowing for a smooth transition.

November 8, 2012
Williams-Sonoma to offer personalized gifts with Mark and Graham

Williams-Sonoma has launched a new, direct-to-consumer brand, Mark and Graham, which specializes in personalized gifts and accessories.

SAN FRANCISCO — Williams-Sonoma has launched a new, direct-to-consumer brand, Mark and Graham, which specializes in personalized gifts and accessories.

The Mark and Graham line will feature home decor, small leather goods and seasonal items that can be personalized with a choice of more than 50 custom monograms and creative type treatments. The brand will offer its products through an exclusive direct mail catalog and an e-commerce website Markandgraham.com.

October 3, 2012
Uniqlo to open first West Coast flagship in San Francisco

Fast Retailing will open its first West Coast Uniqlo flagship store in the Union Square neighborhood of San Francisco.

SAN FRANCISCO — Fast Retailing will open its first West Coast Uniqlo flagship store in the Union Square neighborhood of San Francisco.

September 21, 2012
Williams-Sonoma brews up a Starbucks offering

The single cup brewing trend as arrived at Williams-Sonoma in the form of the Starbucks’ deluxe Verismo System 585.

SAN FRANCISCO — The single cup brewing trend as arrived at Williams-Sonoma in the form of the Starbucks’ deluxe Verismo System 585.

According to the company, the Verismo System 585 is the first at-home premium single cup machine that makes Starbucks-quality espresso beverages and brewed coffee with the touch of a button. The system is available in the deluxe 585 or base 580 model online and will be available in stores beginning Sept. 28.

August 30, 2012
Predictive search produces double digit growth

Walmart is touting another e-commerce win by the smart people working at its Silicon Valley research and technology hub known as @WalmartLabs.

Walmart is touting another e-commerce win by the smart people working at its Silicon Valley research and technology hub known as @WalmartLabs.

August 22, 2012
Williams-Sonoma says 'g'day' to international expansion in Australia

Williams-Sonoma is betting it can replicate its highly successful formula internationally, with the opening of new stores in Sydney, Australia.

SAN FRANCISCO — Williams-Sonoma is betting it can replicate its highly successful formula internationally, with the opening of new stores in Sydney, Australia.

July 27, 2012
Williams-Sonoma promotes finance chief

Williams-Sonoma has promoted Julie Whalen, SVP, acting CFO, has been appointed EVP, CFO.

SAN FRANCISCO — Williams-Sonoma has promoted Julie Whalen, SVP, acting CFO, has been appointed EVP, CFO.

April 4, 2012
Williams-Sonoma line exudes virtue of homemade

Williams-Sonoma is reaching out to customers who want to be more hands on with their food with the launch of a Agrarian, a collection of products that focuses on the virtues of homegrown and homemade.

SAN FRANCISCO — Williams-Sonoma is reaching out to customers who want to be more hands on with their food with the launch of a Agrarian, a collection of products that focuses on the virtues of homegrown and homemade.

March 23, 2012
Limited expanding footprint in California by 30%

The Limited on Friday will open a 4,300-sq.-ft. store in Westfield Galleria Mall, Roseville, Calif., one of four new locations the chain will open this year in California.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Limited on Friday will open a 4,300-sq.-ft. store in Westfield Galleria Mall, Roseville, Calif., one of four new locations the chain will open this year in California. The women’s apparel retailer is also completely remodeling a fifth, representing 21,000 gross sq. ft. of new retail space in the Golden State.

March 8, 2012
Sacramento gets Fresh & Easy

Fresh & Easy Tuesday made its Sacramento, Calif. debut with the opening of two new stores in the region. The retailer plans to open five new stores in the Sacramento area this month.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Fresh & Easy Tuesday made its Sacramento, Calif. debut with the opening of two new stores in the region. The retailer plans to open five new stores in the Sacramento area this month.

February 24, 2012
Williams-Sonoma 'cultivates' a new kitchen community

Williams-Sonoma is helping consumers create their dream kitchen with the launch of Cultivate.com.

SAN FRANCISCO — Williams-Sonoma is helping consumers create their dream kitchen with the launch of Cultivate.com. Offering information about kitchen design and remodeling in one destination, the website will feature advice from acclaimed kitchen experts, thousands of inspirational photos, recommendations for local kitchen professionals and unique planning tools, the company announced Friday.

February 23, 2012
Capitola and Petaluma (California) here we come

Twenty new Target stores are scheduled to open this year – including the company’s first five CityTarget locations – and two units in California are among them.

Twenty new Target stores are scheduled to open this year including the company’s first five CityTarget locations and two other units at recently disclosed California locations.

Target said it would open a 135,000-sq.-ft. store in the California coastal town of Capitola, about an hour and a half south of San Francisco, in July. The store will be the company’s second location in Santa Cruz County.