Walmart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. yesterday reported record first-quarter fiscal 2011 sales and earnings for the period ended April 30, 2010, with net sales of $99.1 billion, an increase of 6.0 percent from the $93.5 billion logged last year.

In a bid to rouse further interest in its convenience-oriented VIA Ready Brew, Starbucks is brewing up big plans for the product line with a goal of saturating 37,000 U.S. grocery,

Walmart is planning to open a smaller version of its large Supercenter store format in the Los Angeles area, one of the first of a new breed of smaller stores that it hopes can deliver a new phase of U.S. growth, according to an FT.com article.

The early Easter took a toll on April retail same-store sales, although most retailers reporting met or exceeded expectations as shoppers continue to step up their spending plans, according to Kantar Retail.

Walmart de Mexico y Centroamerica last week began using wind-powered energy from Oaxaca I Lamatalaventosa Wind Farm in the Mexican state of Oaxaca to help power 348 of its self-service stores, pricing clubs and restaurants in Mexico City, State of Mexico, and Morelos.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. will pay $27.6 million to settle a case that alleged the mega-retailer improperly handled and dumped hazardous waste, including pesticide, fertilizer, paint and aerosols, at the 236 stores and distribution centers across the state of California.

Former Pathmark Stores, Inc. CEO Eileen Scott has joined New York-based customer experience management solutions provider ICC/Decision Services as COO, reporting to CEO and president David Rich.

Regional independent WinCo Foods is gearing up to enter the Phoenix marketplace.