Wal-Mart Tussles With Safeway

The Christmas shopping season isn't just significant for gift sellers;but for grocers as well.Wal-Mart,for instance,thinks it is so important that it took on Safeway in a newspaper circular.Wal-Mart claims that a comparable basket of non-meat/non-produce frequently purchased items is 25% less expensive at their stores than at Safeway's.
Wal-Mart says it compared the average national prices for 244 items at their respective stores every week beginning September 25.Besides this aggressive tactic,Wal-Mart is making a pledge to match any local competitor's price in a printed ad for an identical product.
On the other hand,Safeway offers considerable discounts to holders of its Club Card,which were probably not taken into account by Wal-Mart.The Safeway Club Card is free and is issued upon the filling out of a brief application.
In China,Wal-Mart is opening smaller stores to serve lower income small town and rural residents.
Wal-Mart(WMT),Safeway(SWY)

Macy's Feels Optimistic

Macy's,one of the focal points for tracking holiday sales in the retail sector,is pleased with the season opening and has a positive outlook for the year.CEO Terry Lundgren cited about 7,000 people lined up outside the flagship Herald Square location on Black Friday at 4 am.They're very pleased so far.
Retail analyst Dana Telsey of the Telsey Advisory Group agrees that Macy's did well on Black Friday.It's certainly an encouraging start.
Macy's has had a very good year,Mr.Lundgren added.They opened three Bloomingdale's outlets in Q3.In 2010,they've opened six Macy's stores and closed one.They're making sure there's obvious value to the customer at every price point.
They have a lot more confidence based on the momentum so far this year.Sales are up 4-5%.Mr.Lundgren thinks that bodes well for the industry next year.
CNBC's Jim Cramer considers Macy's to be best in breed among department stores.
Macy's(M)