Top Retailers

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Building on its plans to open 625 new stores in fiscal 2011, Dollar General on Monday resolved to create 6,000 new jobs.

In addition to expanding within its 35-state operating area, Dollar General also has targeted such new markets as Connecticut, Nevada and New Hampshire.

NEW YORK — Target will kick off a new ad campaign in 2011 that makes a tongue-in-cheek, if not frank and honest, appeal to new parents, according to a report by AdAge.

“I just had a 20-minute conversation with a stranger about nipples,” reads one of the print ads, which the article noted are “meant to illustrate the chaos, humor and absurdness that are hallmarks of parenting.”

NOVATO, Calif. — Sears has partnered with Sonic Solutions to bring an online movie download service to Sears and Kmart customers. The new Alphaline Entertainment service, available at Alphaline.roxionow.com, enables the retailers’ customers to download new movies the same day they are released on DVD/Blu-ray.

Sonic is working with Sears on a multiphase rollout that includes making the service available from a broad range of connected devices and ensuring compatibility with studio-supported digital programs.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT — Everyone likes to be proven right. And Walgreens' leaders are justifiably proud of the company’s record performance in first quarter fiscal 2011.

(THE NEWS: Walgreens drives accelerating renewal program. For the full story, click here)

NEW YORK — Rite Aid stock is expected to make the biggest stock-price recovery in 2011, according to a poll of TheStreet readers.

According to the poll, published Thursday morning on TheStreet.com, 28.2% of voters believe the drug store will experience the largest rally of the most depressed stocks of 2010. This in spite of the fact that Rite Aid earlier this week restated year-end projections following an underperforming quarter.

WINONA, Minn. — J.R. Watkins Naturals is expanding its presence in the Asian market by selling its personal care and home care products through retail chains in Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan.

"There is a growing demand for heritage brands and natural products in Asia, particularly in Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan," stated J.R. Rigley, J.R. Watkins Naturals' sales and marketing VP. "We are proud to bring more than 140 years of natural tradition to consumers in these countries."

DEERFIELD, Ill. — In a resounding declaration that its massive revitalization efforts have been the right strategy at the right time, Walgreens on Wednesday reported its net earnings jumped to a record $580 million in first quarter fiscal 2011, rising nearly 19% over prior-year levels. Sales for the period ended Nov. 30 also rose 6% to $17.3 billion, another record for the nation’s top drug retailer.

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu is having difficulty divesting its New-England-based Shaw’s chain for more than $1 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, and the Minnesota grocery conglomerate may be ready to take down its "for sale" sign.

According to the report, Shaw’s has been on the block for several months with no takers. Many bids from private-equity firms actually came in below the asking price.