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May 20, 2013

Ikea, Walmart anchor new shopping center

Ikea and Walmart are among the retailers heading to Charlotte, N.C., to anchor the Belgate Shopping Center. The new 900,000-sq.-ft. shopping center is DDR Corp.’s first ground-up domestic development in more than four years.

BEACHWOOD, Ohio — Ikea and Walmart are among the retailers heading to Charlotte, N.C., to anchor the Belgate Shopping Center. The new 900,000-sq.-ft. shopping center is DDR Corp.’s first ground-up domestic development in more than four years.

The center will also include junior anchors Marshalls, Old Navy, Petco, ULTA, Cost Plus World Market, Hobby Lobby and Shoe Carnival.

May 14, 2013

Macy’s dons its patriotic colors

The Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza is not the only patriotic item on Macy’s all-American agenda. The retailer is launching its American Icons campaign, featuring American-inspired merchandise, Wednesday, May 15.

NEW YORK — The Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza is not the only patriotic item on Macy’s all-American agenda. The retailer is launching its American Icons campaign, featuring American-inspired merchandise, Wednesday, May 15.

The campaign includes launch parties, “pop up” drive-in movies, cross-country road trips, Major and Minor League baseball events, grilling competitions, sweepstakes and a fundraising program to benefit America’s veterans.

May 3, 2013

Staples beats major retailers to the 3D punch

Staples has become the first major U.S. retailer to have 3D printers available for purchase. The Cube 3D Printer from 3D Systems, a leading global provider of 3D content-to-print solutions, is already available on Staples.com for $1,299.99.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples has become the first major U.S. retailer to have 3D printers available for purchase.

The Cube 3D Printer from 3D Systems, a leading global provider of 3D content-to-print solutions, is already available on Staples.com for $1,299.99 and will be available in a limited number of Staples stores by the end of June.

April 25, 2013

Hershey’s posts sweet results in Q1

The Hershey reported a net sales increase of nearly 6%, driven by core brand volume. Consolidated net sales were $1.8 billion for the first quarter ended March 31, compared with $1.7 billion for the same period last year.

HERSHEY, Pa. — The Hershey reported a net sales increase of nearly 6%, driven by core brand volume. Consolidated net sales were $1.8 billion for the first quarter ended March 31, compared with $1.7 billion for the same period last year.

Reported net income for the first quarter of 2013 was $242 million compared with $199 million for the same period last year.

April 4, 2013

SecureNet exceeds in $19 billion in annual transaction volume

SecureNet Payment Systems, an innovative payment technology company directly connected to the major card networks, announced the company has exceeded $19 billion in annual transaction volume and increased its number of merchant partners to over 16,000.

AUSTIN, Texas — SecureNet Payment Systems, an innovative payment technology company directly connected to the major card networks, announced the company has exceeded $19 billion in annual transaction volume and increased its number of merchant partners to over 16,000. Additionally, SecureNet announced four new merchant service provider partnerships that will greatly expand the company's rapidly growing network of partners.

April 1, 2013

Virtual Piggy banks on former PayPal exec for mobile development

Virtual Piggy, an online service that allows parents to monitor their children's online shopping behavior, has appointed Iain Herd as global mobile product director.

LOS ANGELES — Virtual Piggy, an online service that allows parents to monitor their children's online shopping behavior, has appointed Iain Herd as global mobile product director.

With over thirteen years experience in product management, and seven years leading mobile initiatives at major corporations, Iain will be responsible for directing and managing Virtual Piggy’s Mobile First initiative, reporting directly to CEO and founder, Dr. Jo Webber.

March 26, 2013

Supervalu planning major job cuts

Supervalu announced plans to eliminate about 1,100 positions nationwide, or about 3% of its national workforce.

Minneapolis -- Supervalu announced plans to eliminate about 1,100 positions nationwide, or about 3% of its national workforce. The reductions include both current positions and open jobs that will not be filled.

The news comes less than a week after Supervalu completed the sale of five of its grocery banners, including Albertson’s and Shaws/Star Markets. The company said the sale of the five chains means that the remaining business will need "significantly fewer" corporate and store support roles and functions.

March 21, 2013

"Made in America?" Not Any Time Soon

Allow me to be the group historian for a minute. Does anyone remember, in 1984, the "Crafted with Pride in the U.S.A." advertising campaign, spearheaded by the late Roger Milliken, and funded by a consortium of fiber, chemical and textile companies? This was supposed to have instilled enough patriotism in the consumer to buy goods made in America at a furious enough rate to keep manufacturing here on our soil.

March 5, 2013

American Apparel sales up in Q4, sees future in online biz

American Apparel reported that its net sales for the fourth quarter were up 10% to $173 million and comparable-store sales rose 7% for the same period.

LOS ANGELES — American Apparel reported that its net sales for the fourth quarter were up 10% to $173 million and comparable-store sales rose 7% for the same period.

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2012 was $4.9 million, or 4 cents per common share on a fully-diluted basis, compared with net loss for the fourth quarter of 2011 of $11.2 million or 11 cents per common share.

February 26, 2013

Eco lawn brand gets major distribution deal with Target

Target strengthened its sustainability rep recently with the addition of EcoScraps, a provider of organic, chemical- and manure-free lawn and garden products, to its lineup.

PROVO, Utah — Target strengthened its sustainability rep recently with the addition of EcoScraps, a provider of organic, chemical- and manure-free lawn and garden products, to its lineup. The sustainable, 100% organic, potting soil is now available at more than 1,700 Target stores nationwide. This marks the first time that EcoScraps will appear on the shelves of a major retailer at the national level.

February 21, 2013

OfficeMax.com named best of the Web

Office Max's retail website, OfficeMax.com, was named a 2012 Best of the Web award winner.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Office Max's retail website, OfficeMax.com, was named a 2012 Best of the Web award winner. The fourth annual Best of the Web Compuware Application Performance Awards showcase leaders in web and mobile site performance across several major industries nationwide.

February 13, 2013

Report: Retail imports to increase 8.5% in February

A report released Friday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates estimated that retail imports will increase 8.5% in February, after a contract deal between the East Coast and Gulf Coast dockworkers is finalized.

The monthly Global Port Tracker report said that, had a key West Coast agreement also been settled, import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports would possibly have seen an additional rise.

February 8, 2013

Amazon lengthens online lead over Walmart and others

Traffic trends at Walmart and other major retailers declined in December even though e-commerce sales set new records in the fourth quarter and throughout 2012.

February 1, 2013

Coalition battles budget threats to commissary services

U.S. commissaries could face severe cuts if Congress fails reach a budget, leaving many military families without the benefits they rely on to make ends meet, according to the Coalition to Save Our Military Shopping Benefits.

WASHINGTON — U.S. commissaries could face severe cuts if Congress fails reach a budget, leaving many military families without the benefits they rely on to make ends meet, according to the Coalition to Save Our Military Shopping Benefits.

January 30, 2013

Digital deals dominate 2012

Digital coupons are increasingly being used as a marketing tool for major brands, as evidenced by the rise in such offers between 2011 and 2012.

MINNEAPOLIS — Digital coupons are increasingly being used as a marketing tool for major brands, as evidenced by the rise in such offers between 2011 and 2012.

Accoding to Kantar Media, digital couponing events across key websites increased by 46.1% in 2012 compared with 2011, and 805 manufacturers distributed digital coupon offers on these key websites during 2012, an increase of 18.9% as compared with the same period in 2011.

December 14, 2012

CVS Caremark outlines growth agenda

CVS Caremark executives expressed optimism going into 2013 and outlined its strategic growth framework, which leverages the company’s unique integrated model, during its annual Analyst Day held on Thursday in New York City.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark executives expressed optimism going into 2013 and outlined its strategic growth framework, which leverages the company’s unique integrated model, during its annual Analyst Day held on Thursday in New York City.

October 11, 2012

Hasbro signs major deal for growth in China

Hasbro has entered into a partnership with Alpha Animation, a toy and entertainment company in China, to form a Chinese joint venture company for the co-development of toys and games.

SHANGHAI, China and PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Hasbro has entered into a partnership with Alpha Animation, a toy and entertainment company in China, to form a Chinese joint venture company for the co-development of toys and games.

If approved, the joint venture will focus on developing toys from Alpha's popular Blazing Teens brand. A brand from Hasbro’s global portfolio also will be selected for development. Hasbro and Alpha Animation will in turn collaborate to develop these brands for China and global markets.

October 11, 2012

Major surgery on rollback at Walmart

Walmart is introducing a first-of-its-kind Centers of Excellence program that will offer its associates quality health care with no out-of-pocket cost for heart, spine and transplant surgeries at six of the leading hospital and health systems in the United States.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is introducing a first-of-its-kind Centers of Excellence program that will offer its associates quality health care with no out-of-pocket cost for heart, spine and transplant surgeries at six of the leading hospital and health systems in the United States.

October 11, 2012

Sam’s sweetens membership offer for Texans

Just 10 months into her job as president and CEO of Sam’s Club Rosalind Brewer is making major changes to member benefits and implementing a $5 fee increase.

During a presentation at Walmart’s annual analysts’ conference on Wednesday Brewer recapped Sam’s performance, outlined a growth strategy involving a 2013 net increase of between 10 and 15 new clubs and described a wide range of enhancements to Sam’s two membership tiers.

October 10, 2012

Macy's, Toys'R'Us team up for holidays

Macy’s and Toys"R"Us -- likely the two retailers most associated with Christma -- have joined together for a unique retail partnership.

CINCINNATI and WAYNE, N.J. — Macy’s and Toys"R"Us -- likely the two retailers most associated with Christmas -- have joined together for a unique retail partnership.

October 5, 2012

Anheuser-Busch making a difference for military families

The Budweiser brand raised $2.5 million for military families during Major League Baseball’s recently ended regular season as part of a program called, "Walk-off a Hero."

October 4, 2012

Target to stop reporting monthly sales

Same-store sales at Target increased 2.1% during September, in line with expectations for a low single-digit increase, and the company said it would discontinue reporting monthly results in 2013.

October 3, 2012

3M realigns business structure

3M has announced a realignment of its major business groups to better serve global markets and customers, effective immediately.

The new structure will be comprised of five business groups: Consumer (2011 sales of $4.2 billion), Industrial ($9.6 billion), Health Care ($5.0 billion) and two newly formed business groups: Safety & Graphics ($5.5 billion), and Electronics & Energy ($5.7 billion). Previously, the company operated six segments.

September 27, 2012

Whirlpool tops in customer satisfaction

Whirlpool took the top spot amongst major appliance companies in the 2012 annual American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. — Whirlpool took the top spot amongst major appliance companies in the 2012 annual American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Whirlpool Corporation has led or tied for first place each year since 1996.

September 18, 2012

Walgreens' senior suite goes global

Walgreens on Tuesday announced several new senior management roles, including an expanded role for CFO Wade Miquelon and the appointment of current SVP and chief strategy officer Robert Zimmerman as the lead executive responsible for the Walgreens-Alliance Boots' "synergy team."

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Tuesday announced several new senior management roles, including an expanded role for CFO Wade Miquelon and the appointment of current SVP and chief strategy officer Robert Zimmerman as the lead executive responsible for the Walgreens-Alliance Boots' "synergy team." Succeeding Zimmerman as chief strategy officer will be Brad Fluegel.