Content about U.S.

February 26, 2013
U.K. firm expands same day delivery to U.S.

Same day delivery firm Shutl will begin offering its service next month in New York, San Francisco and Chicago.

Same day delivery firm Shutl will begin offering its service next month in New York, San Francisco and Chicago.

Thanks to $6 million in funding from partners such as UPS, e.ventures and Notion Capital, plans call for the firm to expand the delivery offering to 17 additional metropolitan areas later this year with the goal of enabling conventional brick and mortar retailers to realize their multichannel potential.

February 15, 2013
Walmart U.S. CFO to share ‘Bigg’ picture

Brett Biggs, Walmart U.S. CFO, will share his views on the company’s performance during an upcoming Doing Business in Bentonville meeting.

Brett Biggs, Walmart U.S. CFO, will share his views on the company’s performance during an upcoming Doing Business in Bentonville meeting.

Bigg’s is slated to speak at the event scheduled for 7 a.m., March 13 in Rogers, Ar., and could have some interesting things to say given the timing of the event. Walmart is due to report fourth quarter and full year results next week on February 21 and then on March 7 the company hosts a two day event in Orlando for store managers and suppliers where new initiatives tend to be unveiled.

February 5, 2013
Ahold U.S. names e-commerce, supply chain head

Ahold has appointed the former head of one of its European supermarket chains to an executive position in its U.S. division.

CARLISLE, Pa. — Ahold has appointed the former head of one of its European supermarket chains to an executive position in its U.S. division.

Ahold USA said it appointed Jan van Dam as EVP supply chain and e-commerce, in which he will focus on supply chain for the company's four U.S. divisions, Stop & Shop in the New York area and New England, Giant-Landover and Giant-Carlisle. He will also be responsible for the company's e-commerce business with Andrew Parkinson, president and general manager of online grocery company Peapod, reporting to him.

January 21, 2013
Ahold U.S. thrives in Hurricane Sandy's wake

Dutch retailer Ahold reported that sales at its U.S. operations rose 4.3% to $6.1 billion during the fourth quarter, thanks to efforts to keep stores open during Hurricane Sandy.

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands — Dutch retailer Ahold reported that sales at its U.S. operations rose 4.3% to $6.1 billion during the fourth quarter, thanks to efforts to keep stores open during Hurricane Sandy.

Identical-store sales for U.S. stores rose 2.4%, and comparable-store sales were up 2.8% during the fourth quarter.

Net sales at U.S. stores for the year increased 3.1% to $25.8 billion. Idents rose 1.4% for the year, while comps were up 1.9%, 

January 17, 2013
Retailers, not politicians, can renew U.S. economy

Walmart U.S. president and CEO Bill Simon isn’t running for elected office, but he sure sounded like a politician earlier this week as he laid out a three-tiered plan the retail industry can implement to restore U.S. economic growth.

Walmart U.S. president and CEO Bill Simon isn’t running for elected office, but he sure sounded like a politician earlier this week as he laid out a three-tiered plan the retail industry can implement to restore U.S. economic growth.

January 9, 2013
Uniqlo spreads U.S. roots

Value priced apparel and accessories retailer Uniqlo continues its U.S. expansion with the opening of two stores in the Northeast.

NEW YORK — Value priced apparel and accessories retailer Uniqlo continues its U.S. expansion with the opening of two stores in the Northeast.

The global clothing retailer is strengthening its toehold on the Northeast with two new stores opening at Palisades Center in West Nyack, N.Y., and Westchester’s Ridge Hill in Yonkers, N.Y., by spring 2013.

November 26, 2012
Macy’s exec joins GS1 U.S. board of governors

Peter Longo of Macy’s has been appointed to the GS1 U.S. board of governors, the information standards organization announced today. GS1 U.S. develops supply-chain standards, solutions and services for more than 200,000 businesses in 25 industries.

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. — Peter Longo of Macy’s has been appointed to the GS1 U.S. board of governors, the information standards organization announced today. GS1 U.S. develops supply-chain standards, solutions and services for more than 200,000 businesses in 25 industries.

November 12, 2012
Zale expands U.S. customer financing options

Zale Corp. today announced the addition of consumer finance company, Genesis Financial Solutions, Inc., to its U.S. alternative financing program.

Dallas -- Zale Corp. today announced the addition of consumer finance company, Genesis Financial Solutions, Inc., to its U.S. alternative financing program.

The partnership with Genesis is consistent with the company’s strategy to enhance access to financing for its customers. This new financing option, which became available in October, is offered in Zales, Zales Outlet and Gordon’s retail stores.

November 2, 2012
OfficeMax has new name for U.S. contract business

OfficeMax's business-to-business division is getting a new name to go along with its new strategy of serving a wide range of customers with tailored solutions.

NAPERVILLE, Ill — OfficeMax's business-to-business division is getting a new name to go along with its new strategy of serving a wide range of customers with tailored solutions.

October 25, 2012
Best Buy streamlines U.S. ops, expects lower profits

Best Buy is streamlining its U.S. operations by implementing a leaner leadership structure.

MINNEAPOLIS — Best Buy is streamlining its U.S. operations by implementing a leaner leadership structure.

August 27, 2012
Ahold U.S. sales up despite challenging market

Royal Ahold's U.S. subsidiary saw net sales rise 3.4% in light of challenging market conditions, the retailer reported last week.

AMSTERDAM — Royal Ahold's U.S. subsidiary saw net sales rise 3.4% in light of challenging market conditions, the retailer reported last week.

August 9, 2012
TAGSYS RFID expands U.S. leadership

TAGSYS RFID, a provider of item-level inventory management systems that streamline the supply chain, has expanded its U.S.-based organization in response to accelerating demand for smart inventory and loss management systems within the retail and luxury sectors.

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. — TAGSYS RFID, a provider of item-level inventory management systems that streamline the supply chain, has expanded its U.S.-based organization in response to accelerating demand for smart inventory and loss management systems within the retail and luxury sectors.

Tony Dublino has been named director of U.S. Sales for retail and apparel and Chad Tripp is the new director of field applications engineering for TAGSYS in the United States.

June 11, 2012
U.S. judge questions validity of Wal-Mart gender suit

A report by Reuters said that U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer on Friday said he was "seriously concerned" about whether the female plaintiffs suing Wal-Mart Stores have sufficient evidence to proceed with their re-filed gender discrimination lawsuit.

San Francisco -- A report by Reuters said that U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer on Friday said he was "seriously concerned" about whether the female plaintiffs suing Wal-Mart Stores have sufficient evidence to proceed with their re-filed gender discrimination lawsuit.

May 21, 2012
Simon to provide update on Walmart U.S. at retail conference

Walmart U.S. CEO Bill Simon will provide an update on the company's U.S. business at the Morgan Stanley Retail and Restaurants Conference in Boston on Wednesday, May 23.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart U.S. CEO Bill Simon will provide an update on the company's U.S. business at the Morgan Stanley Retail and Restaurants Conference in Boston on Wednesday, May 23.

The presentation will be webcast live through links at http://www.walmartstores.com/investors and a transcript will be available later in the week. The materials will be archived for one year on the company’s website.

May 16, 2012
Staples Q1 suffers on flat U.S. sales

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — First it was OfficeMax, now Staples reported sales and earnings that were reflective of a struggling retail sector. The company reported that total sales for the first quarter of 2012 were $6.1 billion, a decrease of 1% in U.S. dollars and flat on a local currency basis compared with the first quarter of 2011. Net income for the first quarter of 2012 decreased 6% year-over-year to $187 million. Diluted earnings per share, on a GAAP basis, decreased 4% t to 27 cents from 28 cents achieved in the first quarter of 2011.

April 19, 2012
Tesco to focus on profitability before U.S. expansion

LONDON — The break-even forecast for the U.S. division of Tesco has been pushed back to early next year, the U.K. retail giant announced in its fiscal-year results.

April 17, 2012
RILA praises U.S.-Colombia trade deal

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) has expressed its support of this week's announcement by President Barack Obama and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk that the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement will enter into force on May 15.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) has expressed its support of this week's announcement by President Barack Obama and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk that the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement will enter into force on May 15.

February 23, 2012
Investors want to know whether the U.S. momentum is for real

Walmart’s U.S. stores regained customer traffic during the fourth quarter and president and CEO Mike Duke said the company had a great Christmas, but it didn’t feel that way to investors who couldn’t dump shares of the company fast enough after earnings were released on Tuesday.

Walmart’s U.S. stores regained customer traffic during the fourth quarter and president and CEO Mike Duke said the company had a great Christmas, but it didn’t feel that way to investors who couldn’t dump shares of the company fast enough after earnings were released on Tuesday.

Total company sales for the quarter increase by 5.8% to $122.3 billion and profits from continuing operations increased 3.4% to nearly $5.2 billion while earnings per share increased 7.5% to $1.44 from $1.34 if one time gains are excluded from both reporting periods.

February 21, 2012
Top U.S. retail brands revealed

While Walmart maintained the No. 1 position on Interbrand's U.S. Most Valuable Retail Brands list for 2012, several other retailers are moving up the ranks.

DAYTON, Ohio — While Walmart maintained the No. 1 position on Interbrand's U.S. Most Valuable Retail Brands list for 2012, several other retailers are moving up the ranks.

Although Walmart touts a value that's more than $139 billion, this year also marked a 2% decrease for the big box retailer, Interbrand said. Second on this year's list was Target, which holds a value of $23 billion, a 1% increase over last year.

February 2, 2012
Costco keeps comping, U.S. up 8%

January sales at Costco increased 11% to $7 billion with U.S. same-stores sales powering ahead by 8% excluding fuel, the company reported Thursday.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — January sales at Costco increased 11% to $7 billion with U.S. same-stores sales powering ahead by 8% excluding fuel, the company reported Thursday.

January 19, 2012
NRF welcomes Obama's plans to boost U.S. tourism

The National Retail Federation said it welcomed President Obama’s plans to boost travel and tourism, saying efforts to process visa applications more quickly will help U.S. stores make more sales to foreign tourists and business travelers who want to come here to shop.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation said it welcomed President Obama’s plans to boost travel and tourism, saying efforts to process visa applications more quickly will help U.S. stores make more sales to foreign tourists and business travelers who want to come here to shop.

December 1, 2011
Costco comps up 6% at U.S. clubs

The nation’s leading warehouse club operator maintained its momentum in November by posting a 6% increase in same-store sales at U.S. clubs excluding the beneficial effect of higher year-over-year gas prices.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — The nation’s leading warehouse club operator maintained its momentum in November by posting a 6% increase in same-store sales at U.S. clubs excluding the beneficial effect of higher year-over-year gas prices.

November 7, 2011
Conversocial tallies consumer complaint social media scorecard for U.S. retailers

The ways in which the largest U.S. retail brands address the needs of their customers on Facebook and Twitter were unveiled last week in a white paper — Safeway and Sears topped charts; Costco, Kmart, Kroger and Walmart were found wanting, according to Conversocial, a software company that develops social media tools.

NEW YORK — The ways in which the largest U.S. retail brands address the needs of their customers on Facebook and Twitter were unveiled last week in a white paper — Safeway and Sears topped charts; Costco, Kmart, Kroger and Walmart were found wanting, according to Conversocial, a software company that develops social media tools.

September 6, 2011
Zara brings European flare to more customers with U.S. site

Spanish retailer Zara is giving consumers greater access to its European style with the launch of its first U.S. e-commerce site.

NEW YORK  — Spanish retailer Zara is giving consumers greater access to its European style with the launch of its first U.S. e-commerce site. 

August 26, 2011
Ahold Q2 profit drops on increased U.S. competition

Royal Ahold NV reported Thursday that net income in the second quarter declined to $287 million from $290 million a year earlier, dragged down by performance of its U.S.-based Stop & Shop grocery stores.

AMSTERDAM — Royal Ahold NV reported Thursday that net income in the second quarter declined to $287 million from $290 million a year earlier, dragged down by performance of its U.S.-based Stop & Shop grocery stores.

The company cited increased competition in the U.S. for its lackluster quarter. Ahold said it will seek to limit price increases and cut costs in the United States, particularly at its Giant-Carlisle chain, which competes with Wal-Mart Stores.

Second-quarter sales declined 3.5% to $9.9 billion.