TJX Launching New Chain, Expands Stores

TJX Cos.’s management is launching a new chain in the spring next year that management says has the capability of hitting 100 stores. It’s not putting a name out there yet, though, and won’t reveal the concept.

Meanwhile, the operator of Marshalls, T.J. Maxx and other chains plans to nearly double its overall store count from just above 2,700 units to 4,200 locations. This year, 130 new stores are planned.

The Top 100 Retailers

Stores magazine just put out its list of top 100 retailers by revenue. Wal-Mart of course, is on top, followed by Kroger, Costco, Home Depot, Target, Walgreen, CVS, Lowe’s, Sears Holdings and Best Buy in descending order.

Though it’s by no means a new phenomenon, we still get blown away by Wal-Mart’s Shaq-like size. Its nearly $406 billion in revenue last year exceeds that of the next five retailers on the list COMBINED.

Wal-Mart is also making news for its support of employer-mandated health care, which is facing opposition from the National Retail Federation, which puts out Stores. We’re not going to weigh in on the health care debate (you readers are welcome to do that), but we admire that the NRF isn’t afraid to stand up to what must be one of its largest members.

Lowe’s, Home Depot Keep Taking Hits

Both Lowe’s and Home Depot reported their second quarters this week, and there weren’t many surprises.

Lowe’s experienced a same-store sales drop of 5.3% year over year, while Home Depot posted a 7.9% slide, due to continued weakness in the housing market. Additionally, Lowe’s earnings per diluted share were down 4.5%, and Home Depot’s fell 7.8%.

Is This Just the Beginning For Home Depot?

Today we report on Home Depot’s decision to abandon the opening of 50 new stores and close 15 stores. That might not seem like much considering that the chain has more than 2,200 stores, but we would image that few people would have predicted this a couple years ago.

It seems like every chain is pulling back from their ambitious expansion plans, from Starbucks to Kohl’s. We’re in an environment where store closures and bankruptcies are expected.

Can Home Improvement Catch a Break?

Both Home Depot and Lowe’s this week have posted declining sales and earnings, and the two home-improvement leaders are also cutting back plans this year for new stores. Home Depot is cutting its new stores from earlier expectations of 100 to 35, while Lowe’s cut its units by 20, with 120 new locations in the works.