Retail Briefs

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 6/11/2001 12:00:00 AM

Retailers tout brand value at Context

Retailers at HTT's 2001 Context Retail Panel in Palm Beach touted the value and tradition of store brands, in addition to individual product brands, in helping draw consumers into their stores in a difficult economic climate.

"The brand of the store is the only brand that truly counts," said Allan Josephson, vp, merchandising, House2Home.

Retailers noted that while product brands give the store credibility it is the customers' experience which keeps them coming back. Many of the retailers acknowledged that in the past they have not stressed the quality of their own brands.

However, according to Terri Handelman, merchant, Dekor, "brand store loyalty is a thing of the past. You may not have a second chance."

Anita Iodice, president of The Company Store, which offers a few select brands including Charisma, said the company spends as much time on the design of its catalog as its product.

"I've got 30 seconds to capture their attention," said Iodice.

Wal-Mart pays environmental fine, settles with government

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. agreed to pay a $1 million fine to settle government charges that it illegally discharged storm water run-off from new construction sites, the Justice Department said. In addition to the fine, the retailer will establish a $4.5 million "environmental management plan" to improve its compliance with environmental laws, the department said.

Target Corp new-stores sales rise, but still fall short

Target said sales at its stores open at least one year rose 0.9% in May from a year ago and were slightly below plan.

Target, which operates upscale discount chain Target and department store chains Mervyn's and Marshall Fields, said it expects same-store sales for June to rise in the low-single digit range" vs. June of 2000.