Walmart

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Green Power Partnership has released its latest ranking of top green power purchasers.

The middle of summer marks the beginning of the back-to-school (BTS) season, as parents and kids across the country start to prepare to return to classrooms in late August and early September. The excitement of school starting isn’t just felt by the kids -- retailers also look forward to the season, as it’s an incredibly important time for the $2.5 billion office/school supplies category. Additionally, with the economy mired in a steep recession this season, the BTS season will be closely watched for signs of a recovery in spending. Half of annual unit sales of some related products occur during the BTS period, accounting for 36 percent to 38 percent of annual revenue.

Walmart Canada said yesterday it would open two Walmart Supercenters (or Supercentres, as they’re known in Canada) in Saskatchewan in early 2010. These will be the province’s first Walmart stores to employ the format, as well as the company’s first venture into the fresh grocery business in Saskatchewan. The new stores will take the place of existing Walmarts in Saskatoon and Regina will be replaced by new Supercenters.

Do hard times spell good times for vitamins and supplements? Category sales say “yes.”

The continued effects from last fall’s economic meltdown remain a top concern for retailers -- and that’s no surprise. Consumer spending has significantly changed, leaving many storeowners struggling to compete with large-scale discounters. Understanding the hows and whys behind evolving spending habits has always been important for success, but now it’s become a matter of survival.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Mi Pueblo Food Centers will receive 2009 Hispanic Retail Excellence Awards at next month’s fifth Hispanic Retail 360 Summit, set to take place Aug. 9 to Aug. 11 in Las Vegas. The world’s largest retailer and the 12-store, northern California-based independent will be feted at the annual trade event for their strong commitment to serving the fast-growing Hispanic community in the United States.

Walmart made good on its intentions to develop a worldwide sustainable product index, as revealed during a meeting with 1,500 of its suppliers, associates and sustainability leaders this week at its home office. The index will establish a single source of data for evaluating the sustainability of products.

Ukrop’s Supermarkets is considering buyers for a potential sell-off of its stores, with Matthews, N.C.-based Harris Teeter said to be one of the frontrunners, according to published reports.