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Houston -- Discount supermarket operator Aldi announced it is preparing to enter the Houston market with 30 new stores over the next three years. The expansion will begin in spring of 2013, with the opening of more than 10 new locations. With this expanded Texas footprint, Aldi is expected to bring 400 jobs and an investment of over $100 million of capital expenditures to the local community. The first Aldi stores in Houston will open in the spring of 2013, with more than 10 new locations. “Our history and recent growth in Texas has us poised for great success

/PRNewswire/ -- Crown Crafts Infant Products, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Crown Crafts, Inc. (NASDAQ-CM CRWS), announced that it has entered into a licensing agreement with Carter's, Inc. (NYSE: CRI), a leading provider of apparel and related products exclusively for babies and young children, for a new line of toddler bedding products catering to the consumer looking for a fun, fresh, lifestyle approach for their two to four year old's room. Crown Crafts Infant Products, a leader in the toddler bedding category is expected to launch the Carter's product line of toddler bedding, blankets & room decor accessories in

Coty Inc. said on Monday it's withdrawing its $10.7 billion takeover bid for Avon Products, saying the world's largest cosmetics direct seller had missed its deadline to start talks. Coty had first made a public offer for Avon in April, but later told that company's board that it had until the close of business on Monday to start talks.

Looking to kick its retail operations into high gear, hipster clothing chain Brooklyn Industries last fall borrowed from the playbook of higher-flying competitors H&M and Zara, known for what the retail world calls "fast fashion," or ultraquick turnaround of the latest designer styles. As fast fashion continues to win over shoppers, more specialty retailers like Brooklyn Industries, which traditionally freshened merchandise just a few times a season, find they too must speed up their turnaround cycles. That could create new opportunities for their garment-district suppliers and New York-area vendors whose proximity allows for faster production.

No related items were found. Austin, Texas -- Golfsmith reported Tuesday that it posted a loss of $3.6 million in the first quarter, compared with a loss of $3.1 million in the year-ago period. Sales improved 11% to $90.5 million for the quarter. Same-store sales grew 8.5%. On Monday, the golf retailer announced that it is being acquired by Canada's Golf Town in a deal worth about $15.8 million (see related story).

Walgreens on Monday launched its national Retail Employees with Disabilities Initiative (REDI), an in-store training program designed to help people with disabilities gain retail and customer service skills. Walgreens works closely with community organizations and vocational rehabilitation agencies to train and develop candidates. Another similar initiative at Walgreens’ distribution centers (DCs) resulted in 10 percent of the workforce being made up of people with disabilities at all levels across all 20 DCs. The company hopes to see the same success with REDI. 

Americans are getting more old-fashioned in their shopping habits. That’s the claim of the 2012 Shopper Engagement Study, which found that more shoppers than ever are making their final shopping decisions inside the store.

Los Angeles -- Lorna Jane, the premier Australian activewear brand for women, will open its second U.S. location, in Marina del Rey, Calif., this month. The company’s other U.S. location opened in March 2012, in Malibu, Calif. A third flagship store is scheduled to open in June in Santa Monica, and an online retail store will launch later this year. “Bill, my husband and Lorna Jane CEO, and I have visited Marina del Rey many times on our trips to the US and have always enjoyed the active lifestyle there,” said founder and chief creative officer Lorna Jane Clarkson.

Framingham, Mass. -- The TJX Cos. reported Tuesday that net income rose to $419 million for the quarter ended April 28. On an earnings per share basis, adjusted profit results showed a 41% increase over the prior year period. Sales increased 11% to $5.8 billion and same-store sales climbed 8%. Carol Meyrowitz, CEO of TJX Cos., said: “We saw significant increases in customer traffic across all divisions in the first quarter over last year, which we believe points to the strength of our values and our brand content.”