Consumer Affairs & Relations

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Third-quarter sales for Stater Bros. rose more than $10 million during the period ended June 24, the retailer said Tuesday.

Third-quarter sales increased 1.14% to $949.8 million, compared with $939 million in third quarter 2011. Same-store sales also rose 1.14% during the third quarter. For the 39-week period ended June 24, sales rose 3.51% to $2.8 billion, compared with $96.7 million in the year-ago period. Same-stores sales for the 39-week period also rose 3.51%.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Cookware Manufacturers Association (CMA) has partnered with NSF International, an independent global organization that writes standards, and tests and certifies products for the food, water and consumer goods industries, to provide quality and safety standards for cookware and other consumer products.

The retail industry in general may not be so keen on the new Affordable Care Act, but the nation's largest retailer has come out in support of a Democratic proposal to control spending.

Walmart stores is endorsing a new plan, co-authored by former Obama and Clinton administration officials that would slow healthcare spending and keep it in line with wage growth.

Read more from the Reuters report here.

Arlington, Va. -- In letters sent to President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney, the Retail Industry Leaders Association urged both to consider the retail industry’s prominent role in the U.S. economy as they advance their visions for the future.

The letter was signed by Gregg Steinhafel, Target chairman, president and CEO and Sandra L. Kennedy, RILA president. Steinhafel serves as chairman of the RILA board of directors. 

New York -- Ralph Lauren Corp. said that its net income rose 5% in its first quarter, but the company forecast a revenue decline in the current quarter and sounded a note of caution about the weak global economy hurting consumer spending.

"The outlook for consumer spending and global economic growth remains challenging and we are planning our business accordingly," said CEO Roger Farah.

Net income from April through June was $193.4 million, up from $184.1 million a year ago.

York, Pa. -- The Bon-Ton Storesannounced it will convert its Elder-Beerman nameplate in two markets in Michigan. Elder-Beerman stores in Howell and Monroe will be converted to the company’s Carson’s nameplate.

“We are making this strategic change in nameplates as a result of a marketing review,” said Brendan Hoffman, president and CEO. “The usage of Carson’s nameplate will allow us to communicate more effectively and provide us the opportunity to expand our outreach to more consumers.”

QUINCY, Mass. — Customers in the Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Connecticut area will be able to help raise money for hunger relief when they shop at their local Stop & Shop.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will adjust its future financial reports to add more detail on legal proceedings and cyber security after U.S. regulators asked the retailer to better explain certain matters in its latest quarterly and annual filings, Reuters reported.
  
Wal-Mart's correspondence with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission took place in June and July and was made public on Monday.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The Walmart Foundation alongside six women’s foundations – The Washington Area Women’s Foundation, The New York Women’s Foundation, Women’s Fund of Mississippi, Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis and Women’s Funding Network – has launched the Partnership for Women’s Prosperity. The new national partnership intends to help economically vulnerable women gain financial and economic security through education, job training and employment opportunities.

Bentonville, Ark. -- The Walmart Foundation announced Tuesday the launch of its Partnership for Women’s Prosperity, a move to help economically vulnerable women gain financial and economic security through education, job training and employment opportunities.