Walmart

NEW YORK -- A plunge in low-carb product sales overall and a declaration of bankruptcy earlier this month is not deterring Atkins Nutritionals from looking forward to the "evolution" of its brand beyond the carb-conscious product niche. "Our focus is on better food, better nutrition," noted Atkins marketing director Beth Neumann in an interview with Progressive Grocer.

WASHINGTON D.C. -- The Wal-Mart bashers are at it again, this time with a concerted campaign seizing on the opportunity of the approaching back-to-school season to protest what they allege is Wal-Mart's failure to oppose child labor.

FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- As self-service shopping has gone mainstream in supermarkets, supercenters, and home improvement centers, self-checkout systems will generate transactions worth $161 billion in 2005, according to a new study from retail technology consulting firm IHL Consulting Group here.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said yesterday it has named Doug McMillon president and c.e.o. of its Sam's Club chain, effective immediately. He replaces Kevin Turner, whom Microsoft Corp. recruited to be its c.o.o.

WASHINGTON -- WakeUpWalMart.com, a group affiliated with organized labor that¿s leading a national fight to change some of Wal-Mart's policies, said yesterday that more than 66,215 Americans have joined the movement since it was launched on April 5.

They may be more challenging to run in certain respects, but extreme-value stores can really pay off for certain small operators.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A U.S. bankruptcy judge yesterday approved Winn-Dixie's sale of prescription records to 10 different companies, supplying the retailer with about $16.5 million on the second day of a series of hearings that ends today. The sale of 11 supermarket leases was also approved earlier in the day, with more leases expected to be approved today. On Wednesday the judge approved Winn-Dixie's sale of 15 leases for $18 million.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- A senior official at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. here said yesterday the global retailer aims to have 90 units in China by the end of next year, according to an Associated Press report.