Sam’s seeks closer vendor ties

At gathering,Wal-Mart unit’s suppliers asked to collaborate more

BENTONVILLE — Sam’s Club executives called for more collaboration with suppliers as they addressed representatives of the wholesale club’s top vendors at the company’s headquarters in Bentonville on Tuesday. Read More »

By Steve Painter posted March 10, 2010 at 5:15 a.m.

Tourism thrives despite recession, businesses report

EUREKA SPRINGS — Tourism business owners and promoters from across the state gathered in this historic mineral springs city Monday to share ideas on how to survive and even thrive in tough times. Read More »

By Steve Painter posted March 9, 2010 at 4:33 a.m.

Retailers’ February hot despite snow, job data

LITTLE ROCK — The nation’s retailers turned in a strong performance in February, at least compared with a year ago, despite a string of snowstorms that disrupted shopping and a persistent high unemployment rate. Read More »

By Toby Manthey, Steve Painter posted March 5, 2010 at 5:10 a.m.

Retailer settling sex-bias lawsuit

Wal-Mart to lay out $12 million

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has agreed to pay nearly $12 million to settle a 9-year-old lawsuit alleging sex discrimination in hiring practices at an eastern Kentucky distribution center. Read More »

By Steve Painter posted March 3, 2010 at 6:21 a.m.

Wal-Mart Canada ‘greening up’ operations

LITTLE ROCK — Wal-Mart Canada Corp. has launched a number of new environmental initiatives throughout its national operations, including plans for a refrigerated distribution center near Calgary, Alberta, designed to be 60 percent more energyefficient than traditional centers. Read More »

By Steve Painter posted February 28, 2010 at 6:03 a.m.

Wal-Mart seeks leaner supply chain

BENTONVILLE — Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which has improved the energy efficiency of its stores, distribution centers and trucking fleet in recent years, is looking to its global supply chain to further reduce the company’s impact on the environment. Read More »

By Steve Painter posted February 26, 2010 at 3:38 a.m.

Lottery focus of retail forum

State stores urged to feature game to generate sales

FAYETTEVILLE — A former top-selling lottery retailer in New York state Tuesday advised Arkansas retailers still fairly new to the business to feature the game prominently in their stores to generate sales and repeat customers. Read More »

By Steve Painter posted February 24, 2010 at 3:36 a.m.

Walmex quarter-profit up 17%

Sales continue growing at Mexico arm of U.S. titan

LITTLE ROCK — Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s operations in Mexico turned in a strong performance in the fourth quarter and the company said it intends to add stores and jobs as the nation begins to rebound from a deep recession. Read More »

By Steve Painter posted February 21, 2010 at 5:51 a.m.

Profit up 22% but sales drop for Wal-Mart

Mixed results, flat forecast on period pulls down stock

BENTONVILLE — Wal-Mart Stores Inc. reported fourth-quarter and fiscal-year earnings Thursday that exceeded its forecast and analysts’ expectations, but its sales for the period declined on a samestore basis. Read More »

By Steve Painter posted February 19, 2010 at 5:15 a.m.

Papers move ad exec to area

She’ll lead sales at dailies, others

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Crystal Thurman was named on Tuesday as advertising and marketing director for Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. Read More »

By Steve Painter posted February 17, 2010 at 3:47 a.m.