Consumer Affairs & Relations

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart is launching the spring “Fight Hunger. Spark Change” campaign, a nationwide initiative inviting the public to take action in the fight against hunger. Working with food companies including Campbell’s, ConAgra Foods, General Mills, Kellogg Company, Kraft, and Unilever, Wal-Mart aims to donate up to $3 million to Feeding America based on customer participation in the #WeSparkChange social media challenge.

Kohl’s has donated more than $2.1 million over three years to Susan G. Komen Southeast Wisconsin as part of its efforts to support families in the retailer’s hometown.

Staples is trying to increase its appeal to women by embarking on a new initiative with the city of Boston.

Sam’s Club is expanding its prescription savings program to allow Plus and Business Plus members to save even more money through new benefits.

New savings on generic prescriptions, some of which are available free of charge or at a discounted cost of $4 or $10 at specified quantities, are now available in all Sam’s Club locations with pharmacies.

This new benefit is part of Sam’s Club Extra Value Drug List, through which Sam’s Club Plus and Business Plus members also receive 10-30% savings on select brand name medications.

Framingham, Mass. - Staples has signed onto “100% Talent: The Boston Women’s Compact,” an effort to end the gender-based wage gap and advance women in the workforce. Staples has pledged to work with Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh in a public-private partnership to make Boston the best city in the country for working women.

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon's statement on social media Wednesday asking the state of Arkansas to reject legislation that critics say could allow discrimination against lesbians and gay men is indicative of the retailer's increased role in many social issues, according to the New York Times.

Indianapolis - Simon Property Group Inc. has withdrawn a roughly $22 billion offer to purchase California-based mall operator Macerich Co. In a brief statement, Simon said it decided to withdraw the offer, worth $95.50 per share, in light of the decision by the Macerich board of directors not to engage in discussions.

Toano, Va. – Despite bad publicity from a March 2015 “60 Minutes” report alleging carcinogenic materials in the laminate of some Chinese hardwood it sells, Lumber Liquidators beat Wall Street sales estimates in first quarter 2015. In a sales update, Lumber Liquidators said sales were $260 million, an increase of 6% from first quarter 2014.