Walmart

The U.S. retail sector, headed by specialty retailers, grocers, mass merchants and department stores, now accounts for the largest collective market for U.S. loyalty reward program memberships, outpacing Travel-Hospitality and Financial Services aggregate memberships, according to the 2009 COLLOQUY Loyalty Census shows.

Walmart’s four Marketside grocery stores in Arizona have received a subtle -- but potentially significant -- name change.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. said last week in the wake of its annual meeting that it wouldn’t step up the trial of its Marketside small-footprint concept in the current economic climate, according to a published report.

Sam’s Club’s Hispanic-themed Más Club concept will debut July 2 in Houston, offering a variety of products imported from Latin American countries.

Safeway, Wal-Mart, and Rite Aid were among the retailers recognized for their supply chain collaboration efforts during the Voluntary Interindustry Commerce Solutions Association (VICS)/U Connect Annual Conference held last week at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort.

It’s not a good time to be a mid-tier brand, according to the IRI Times and Trends report entitled “The Value/Premium Dichotomy.” While some shoppers are flocking to value brands, others are still paying top dollar for premium products despite the economy.

Walmart U.S. said yesterday it would create over 22,000 jobs in 2009 to staff new or expanded stores in the United States. The mega-retailer is hiring for a number of jobs, including store management, pharmacists, human resource managers, customer service associates, cashiers and sales associates.

Wolfgang Puck Coffee, a licensed product from Beverly Hills, Calif.-based Wolfgang Puck Worldwide, Inc., has begun its retail launch by rolling out to 2,700 Walmart stores across the country.