Retail

Outlook also better for capital spending and credit availability

SAN FRANCISCO -- November 3, 2009 -- Optimism among small business owners improved during October, driven by improved outlook for revenue, capital spending and hiring, according to the latest results of the quarterly Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index.

Concluded October 9, the latest Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index optimism score came in at negative 15 (-15), a net six-point increase from the previous survey (conducted in July, 2009), and 129 points lower than the Index high of 114 (conducted December, 2006). A score of zero indicates that small business owners, as a group, are neutral -- neither optimistic nor pessimistic -- about their companies’ situations.    » read more »

October 14, 2009 -- WASHINGTON—The U.S. Commerce Department’s Census Bureau today released retail sales for September 2009. Retail sales fell 1.5 percent, primarily reflecting a 10.4 percent decline in motor vehicle sales. The drop in total sales was smaller than the decrease of 2.1 percent expected by private analysts.

Gasoline sales rose 1.1 percent, and sales excluding motor vehicles and gasoline increased 0.4 percent. In the third quarter as a whole, total retail sales rose 6.4 percent at an annual rate, and sales excluding the volatile motor vehicle and gasoline components rose 0.6 percent.    » read more »

June 30, 2009 -- "As health care reform enters the next phase, we came together at this point in the debate to add our combined voices to the momentum building behind reform. We believe the time for comprehensive reform is now. The present system is not sustainable. The status quo is not an option.

"We applaud the bipartisan efforts in Congress to craft and pass legislation.

"We are pleased that Walmart, Service Employees International Union and Center for American Progress can support three essential elements that should be included in any health care reform legislation--an employer mandate, strong efficiency provisions and a 'trigger' mechanism to ensure cost reductions.    » read more »

The Home Depot Presents Strategic Priorities and Outlines Long-Term Operating Targets; Updates 2009 EPS Guidance

ATLANTA, June 10 -- The Home Depot will today outline its key strategic priorities and discuss its long-term operating targets at its 2009 Investor and Analyst Conference. In addition, the Company has updated its 2009 EPS guidance.

Today's conference will begin at 8:30 a.m. ET and will be available in its entirety through a live webcast and replay at homedepot.com in the Investor Relations section.

Strategic Priorities

The Company will discuss its three areas of strategic focus and the specifics behind each: (1) customer service, (2) product authority and (3) productivity and efficiency driven by disciplined capital allocation.    » read more »

BENTONVILLE, Ark., June 8, 2009 --- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) today announced preliminary shareholder voting results for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held June 5, 2009. Approximately 91.6 percent of outstanding shares were represented at the meeting.

The company reported that shareholders approved the election of each of Wal-Mart’s 15 director nominees. Each director received affirmative votes from 96.7 percent or more of the shares voted. Shareholders also ratified Ernst & Young LLP as Wal-Mart’s independent accountants, with affirmative votes from approximately 99.3 percent of the shares that were represented at the meeting.    » read more »

BENTONVILLE, Ark., June 5, 2009 --- At its 39th Annual Shareholders’ Meeting today, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) announced that its Board of Directors has approved a new share repurchase program that gives the company authorization to repurchase $15 billion of its shares. This program replaces the previous $15 billion program, which was announced June 1, 2007 and had approximately $3.4 billion of remaining authorization. Under the program, repurchased shares are constructively retired and returned to unissued status.    » read more »

June 3, 2009 -- ATLANTA -- Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that women’s fashion retailer Chico’s FAS, Inc. (NYSE:CHS) plans to expand its distribution center facilities in Barrow County with an initial investment of $15 million, which is expected to create 189 full-time jobs over the next three years.

“Georgia’s strong business assets continue to make it a compelling location for distribution centers,” said Governor Perdue. “Our state’s unmatched transportation network, business-friendly environment and ready pool of qualified workers translate to success.”    » read more »

Positions to staff new or expanded stores; include store management, pharmacists, human resource managers, cashiers and sales associates

BENTONVILLE, Ark., June 4, 2009 – Walmart U.S. announced today that it will create more than 22,000 jobs in 2009 to staff new or expanded stores in the United States. The company is hiring for a number of positions including store management, pharmacists, human resource managers, customer service associates, cashiers and sales associates among others.    » read more »

June 1, 2009 -- CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Duke Energy Carolinas has partnered with Lowe's® to provide compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs at a 40 percent discount, the first such customer-oriented program the company has offered in the Carolinas.

"By initiating this collaboration, we hope to help our North Carolina and South Carolina customers save money, reduce their energy consumption and have a positive impact on the environment," said Brett Carter, president, Duke Energy Carolinas.    » read more »

Executive will lead 10 Markets; more than 325,000 Associates

BENTONVILLE, Ark., May 26, 2009 – Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., today announced that Vicente Trius, Executive Vice President, President and CEO of Wal-Mart Asia, has been named Executive Vice President, President and CEO of Wal-Mart Latin America.

Trius led the Wal-Mart Asia operation for the past year, during which time he supervised the opening of more than 40 new stores in China, the introduction of Every Day Low Pricing to Japan through the company’s Seiyu unit and continued progress with that unit’s turnaround, as well as the completion of the company’s first distribution center in India, and the anticipated opening of its first wholesale cash and carry facility there during the second quarter of 2009.    » read more »

ATLANTA, May 19 -- The Home Depot, a home improvement retailer, today reported first quarter of fiscal 2009 net earnings of $514 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $356 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, in the same period in fiscal 2008.    » read more »

Home–Based and Micro-Entrepreneurs Get Greater Access To Savings and Services

BENTONVILLE, Ark., May 18, 2009— Sam’s Club is making it easier for small businesses to lower their costs by simplifying the requirements for its Business Membership by eliminating more than a dozen required documents including permits and licenses formerly needed to join.

Under the new guidelines, small business owners can obtain a Sam’s Club business membership simply by providing a current business card, letterhead or other documents they may use to promote or manage their business.    » read more »

BENTONVILLE, Ark., May 14, 2009 -- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) today reported diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of fiscal year 2010 of $0.77, at the high end of the company’s guidance of $0.72 to $0.77. Currency exchange rates negatively impacted earnings by approximately $0.04 per share. Wal-Mart earned $0.76 per share in the first quarter last year.    » read more »

Comments prepared for Hank Mullany, Senior Vice President and President of the Northeast Division, Walmart U.S.

May 6, 2009 -- "Good morning. I am Hank Mullany, Senior Vice President and President of the Northeast Division for Walmart U.S.

We are saddened by the tragic event that occurred at our valley stream store last year. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Mr. Damour’s family, we have never had a tragedy like this in our stores, and we don’t want it to happen again. We are committed to learning from it and making our stores even safer for our customers and our associates. Today is an important step.    » read more »

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Mar. 9, 2009 --- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) announced today that Brian Cornell, 50, will become president and chief executive officer of Sam's Club, the company’s members-only warehouse operating segment, effective April 3. Cornell replaces Doug McMillon, who became president and CEO of Wal-Mart International on Feb. 1, and will report to Mike Duke, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

“In searching for our new Sam’s Club CEO, we wanted a leader who is strong, talented and people-oriented,” said Duke. “We also wanted someone with broad experience in retail management, food merchandising and consumer product marketing. Above all, we looked for a leader who would live up to our brand and our culture. We found all of these things in Brian.”    » read more »