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‘The Daily Wrap:’ Burger King, Amazon, Bashas’

Published on September 02, 2010

Burger King Said to Hold Buyout Talks With 3G Capital
Fast food retailer Burger King Holdings, Inc. is reportedly in talks with 3G Capital about a buyout. The public company could potentially improve troubled relations with its franchisees and differentiate itself from chief competitor McDonald’s by selling its business to a private equity firm. Source: Bloomberg

Amazon Plans New...
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‘The Daily Wrap:’ Dollar General, Wal-Mart, Hannaford

Published on September 01, 2010

Dollar General Increases Net Income by Half
Dollar store retailer reported net income of $141.2 million in Q2 fiscal 2010, a 51% year-over-year increase. Dollar General also grew gross margin, operating profit and same-store sales. Source: Dollar General

Wal-Mart Canada Pushes Private Label
Wal-Mart Canada is giving its private label fashion range George a revamp and retrofitting the apparel...
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‘The Daily Wrap:’ Blockbuster, Kroger, Borders

Published on August 31, 2010

Blockbuster Bankruptcy in Works Could Shut 800 Stores
According to several published reports quoting sources familiar with the situation, struggling media entertainment chain Blockbuster will enter a “pre-planned” bankruptcy in mid-September 2010 that will allow it to restructure a debt load of nearly $1 billion, as well as escape leases on 500 to 800 of its worst-performing brick-and-mortar...
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Mature Consumers Appreciate Brand Daring

Published on August 31, 2010

A growing audience of experienced, less-easily shocked, outspoken consumers appreciate brands that are a little bit more daring and outspoken, according to consumer insights firm trendwatching.com.

The Rise of ‘Maturialism’

trendwatching.com has dubbed this growing consumer trend “Maturialism.” According to trendwatching.com, consumers of today no longer tolerate being treated like...
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‘The Daily Wrap:’ Ikea, Best Buy, Johnny Rockets

Published on August 30, 2010

Ikea Expands in China
Home furnishing retailer Ikea, which is speeding up its expansion in China, plans to open four new stores across the country during the next two years. Ikea will open its second store in Shanghai next year and open locations in Tianjin and Wuxi, as well as its second store in Beijing, in 2012. Source: China Daily

Best Buy Names Chief Design Officer
Consumer electronics...
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Dollar Stores Pursue Growth

Published on August 27, 2010

What many economists describe as the “new normal” of consumer frugality has been beneficial to the dollar store vertical. Leading players Dollar General and Family Dollar have both been pursuing growth and reporting impressive same-store sales increases as the poor economy has negatively impacted many other major retail chains.

Family Dollar Expands Assortment, Spreads the Word

Family Dollar...
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‘The Daily Wrap:’ Burger King, Toys R Us, Papa Murphy’s

Published on August 25, 2010

Burger King Opens 249 Net Global Stores
Fast food hamburger retailer Burger King opened 249 net new global stores during its recently-concluded fiscal 2010, including 59 net new stores in the US. Global revenues dropped 1% during the fiscal year. Source: Burger King Holdings, Inc.

Toys R Us Selects Retail Sense
Toy retailer Toys R Us has selected the Retail Sense marketing communication...
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‘The Daily Wrap:’ Dell, Google, Rue La La

Published on August 23, 2010

Dell Grows Revenue 22%
Online consumer electronics retailer Dell increased total company revenue 22% in Q2 fiscal 2010. Operating income grew 11%. Source: Dell Inc.

Google Acquires Like.com
Google has acquired Like.com, a visual search engine for shoppers. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Source: Like.com

Rue La La Fashions a Niche
The first e-mail notifying Rue La La members about...
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‘The Daily Wrap:’ Target, Starbucks, Fresh & Easy

Published on August 20, 2010

Target Grows Retail Sales 4%
Discount retailer Target Corporation increased retail sales 3.8% in Q2 fiscal 2010. Gross margin slightly grew from 31.9% to 32%. Source: Target Corporation

Starbucks Seeks More Products in Grocery Stores
Starbucks Corp. is planning to use its coffee shops as a testing ground to get more products into grocery stores, according to a growth plan Chief Executive...
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‘The Daily Wrap:’ Wal-Mart, Target, Nordstrom

Published on August 19, 2010

Wal-Mart Grows Net Sales 3%
Discount retailer Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. increased net sales 2.8% to $103 billion in its Q2 fiscal 2011. Other quarterly results include growth in consolidated operating income and decline in U.S. comparable store sales. Source: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Target Uproots Garden Centers
Discount retailer Target Corp. is closing all of its 262 garden centers due to lack of...
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