Tag Archives: walmart

Walmart ditches Express and lagging stores

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There’s a big bag of woe in retail as the third major merchant in little more than a week announces store closings.

Walmart says it will close 269 stores in 2016, as the world’s largest tries to improve its finances.

imagesMost of the underperformers are sited within 10 miles of another Walmart. Of the stores on the chopping block, 154 locations are in the United States; two-thirds of those are the smaller “Walmart Express” stores, a pilot program that failed to get off the ground.

Only 12 U.S. Walmart Supercenters will close, along with four Sam’s Club stores. Most of the foreign closings will be in Brazil.

Of the 16,000 employees impacted, 10,000 work in U.S. stores. The company plans to place those workers in nearby Walmarts. Employees who don’t find a place will get 60 days’ severance and training in job hunting.

Walmart stock swooned 30 percent last year in tough times for retailers. Macy’s and Kmart also recently announced significant store closings.

A Sunbeam mixer for your honey

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image037The way to a woman’s heart is through the appliance garage. Especially if you indulge her yearning for a coveted stand mixer, the must-have gadget in any stylish kitchen.

This Valentine’s Day, consider a Sunbeam Heritage Series Stand Mixer, a pretty powerhouse constructed of die-cast metal in a sleek retro design in bold, trendy colors. I like the cobalt blue best.  It looks like something that might have been on grandmother’s counter, at the ready to whip the cream for the rice pudding.

Sunbeam also serves up an appetizing price point, with an MSRP of $129.99, easily $100 less than Kitchen Aid.

Features include a 350-watt motor for effortless mixing at any of 12 variable-speed settings. Heavy-duty accessories are color-coded to make it easy to figure out which attachment goes where when you set up to make bread or cookie dough or whatever else is on the menu.

The mixer has a free-spinning bowl aligned slightly off-center to allow the cook to add ingredients while the mixer is working with minimal scrapping. A slow start feature prevents unfortunate splatter.  The mixer includes stainless steel beaters, dough hooks, and 4.6-quart bowl. In addition to cobalt, new colors include pink frosting, sea foam green, and tangerine tango.

You can buy Sunbeam at Target, Walmart, Sears and other retailers. And if you really want to wow your sweetheart, start a new tradition and volunteer to use the Heritage to mix her favorite dessert.

Walmart heading to Franklin Mills

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imagesThe lights will go on in more than 180,000 square feet of darkened retail space at Franklin Mills when Walmart opens a super store in the suburban Philly discount shopping venue.

Simon, the center owner, says the world’s largest retailer will break ground in March. In addition to budget-friendly clothing and home goods, Walmart will sell fresh, prepared and frozen groceries.

Franklin Mills is home to Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Nike Factory Store, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH and other outlet retailers. The space Walmart is taking has been vacant for several years in a chilly climate for merchants.

Walmart will hire about 250 workers to staff the store.

Cyber Monday clicks with shoppers

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Point, click, buy. On Cyber Monday, consumers take to the Internet to bag bargains.

So what are we buying? The top two most searched-for products today are the Kindle Fire and Ugg boots, according to Experian Marketing Services, a provider of digital marketing and analyzing consumer data for merchants.

The retailer most popular with online shoppers is Walmart. Best Buy is second, followed by     Amazon, Sears and Target,  Experian says.

Expect a spending frenzy from the fuzzy slipper set. IHS Global Insight predicts online holiday sales of $79 billion, compared to $67 billion last year.

Your shoes have a pal in KIWI

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My dad’s big, wooden shoeshine kit always contained a few tins of KIWI. Dad was born in 1928 — and KIWI already had been around for more than 20 years, keeping shoes shined and supple since 1906.

This fall, I will keep my suede shoes and boots looking fit with KIWI Suede & Nubuck Protector. (Fashion watchers, I ask you: how come suede is in season in fall and winter, when there are lots of wet leaves and slushy streets to mar its lovely finish? ‘Tis one of the great mysteries of the Well-Dressed Universe.)

Thank goodness for this handy spray product. It’s a convenient cousin to KIWI Protect-All, which provides water and stain protection for leather and fabrics, typically the type you send to the dry cleaners.

(Mystery No. 2: Why are shoe products called Kiwi? Answer: Because the inventor’s wife hailed from New Zealand. This could come in handy if you are ever a Jeopardy! contestant.)

The suede and nubuck defender goes on clear. It does not darken the color of your footwear, handbags or gloves. Truly. And it is quite effective in shielding your pricey shoes and boots so that you can enjoy them for more than one season. But remember, no puddle jumping!

Hint: Apply KIWI well before you head to the Blizzard Ball. The process takes some time.

Here’s how to use it:

  • Position the can about 10 inches from your target.
  • Spray evenly over the surface. Use a light hand. Don’t saturate your Louis Vuitton bag.
  • Allow the finish to cure for 24 hours.
  • Apply a second light coat.
  • Reapply as needed, depending on wear and tear.

You can find the products at Walgreens, Walmart, Target and lots of other stores. Expect to pay about $7.49 per can.