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Sears Canada is closing three of its stores in Vancouver, Calgary and Ottawa as the struggling retailer continues to contend with deteriorating sales and shrinking market share.

Luxury department store Saks Inc. (SKS) has reported positive same-store sales and total sales for the month of February, benefiting from sales of women's apparel, handbags and men's accessories. Saks comparable store sales grew 6.6% in February, while total Saks sales for the four weeks ended February 25, 2012 climbed 6.0% to $207.9 million, as compared to the sales of $196.2 million for the four weeks ended February 26, 2011. The comparable sales growth for the month of February is within the guidance range of 5% to 7% range for the full year 2012. However, February same-store sales increase

PLANO, Texas — JCPenney is looking to make its department store a destination for more than just shopping, and has named a new executive to help lead the charge. Assuming the role of EVP, The Square is Laurie Beja Miller, who will oversee the company's new center core strategy that will serve as a gathering place with ongoing attractions and services, JCPenney announced. Miller will join JCPenney on April 1, and report to CEO Ron Johnson. Johnson said, "In the golden age of department stores, America's families came for more than just to shop. They were able to have

NEW CASTLE — Buyer beware. While the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue may not be saying that, the warning is implied in the department’s concerted effort to collect the use tax from state residents. This year for the first time individuals are required to enter on line 25 of their 2011 personal income tax return the amount of use tax owed to the state. Pennsylvania’s use tax — set at 6 percent — is the counterpart to the sales tax. It applies to taxable purchases made over the Internet, through toll-free numbers, from mail order catalogs and out-of–state locations. It

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Big Lots’ fourth-quarter net income rose 4% to $114.7 million for the period ended Jan. 28, up from $110.1 million a year earlier. The chain also said it anticipates 90 new store openings in the United States in 2012. Big Lots’ revenue in the quarter rose 10% to $1.67 billion, from $1.52 billion. Sales for U.S. operations increased 7.5% to $1.63 billion. In Canada, which includes results from Liquidation World that was acquired in July, sales were $36.6 million. Same-store sales in the United States were up 3.4%. For the year, Big Lots earned $207.1 million,

Sam's Club is taking its promotion of its health and wellness solutions further by launching its own branded, bimonthly magazine. Healthy Living Made Simple is the first warehouse club publication solely dedicated to health and wellness issues.

Women’s apparel retailer Cache said that it's partnered with e-commerce solution provider FiftyOne Global Ecommerce to facilitate international sales and shipments to more than 100 countries, beginning in fall 2012. Cache said it also plans to further enhance its web offering with a spring 2012 launch of its mobile website. The site will feature the brand image and product offering of Cache.com and is optimized for web-enabled mobile devices to ease navigation and transactions.

NEW YORK — Most apparel retailers topped Wall Street estimates in February, as rising temperatures boosted sales, while increased consumer confidence and Valentine’s Day also helped boost spending, according to the Thomson Reuters Same Store Sales Index. The Thomson Reuters Same Store Sales Index, which tracks 21 companies reporting Wednesday and Thursday, is expected to rise 4.8%, beating last year’s 4% advance. Big winners in February included Limited Brands, as the operator of Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works reported a same-store sales rise of 8%, beating Wall Street’s expected 6.2% gain. Gap Inc. surprised on Thursday, reported

NEW YORK — In a month that was solid overall, the discount sector showed its muscle, turning in a strong February same-store sales performance nearly across the board. After suggesting last week that sales had accelerated and returned to a pre-holiday pace, Target reported Thursday that same-store sales for the month rose 7%, beating Wall Street’s expected 5.2%. Total sales during the period rose 8% to $5.13 billion, boosted by strength in the food, healthcare and beauty categories. Accessories and apparel performed above average as well. Meanwhile, TJX saw same-store sales surge 9%, beating the 7% gain expected by