Corporate Responsibility

Barnes & Noble wants its shoppers to celebrate innovation and creativity by hosting its first ever "Maker Faire."

The nation’s largest retail bookseller has formed a new partnership with Maker Media, publisher of Make: magazine and producer of Maker Faire, to launch the first-ever Mini Maker Faire in stores nationwide. The retailer is asking shoppers to participate at their local Barnes & Noble store the weekend of Nov. 6-8 to share their inventions, ideas and more.

Arts and crafts chain Hobby Lobby is embarking on a mission to give away millions of Christmas gifts to chidren in need this holiday season, a mission that will likely appeal to many consumers in its target market.

The retailer announced is partnering with the world's largest Christmas project of its kind, Operation Christmas Child, which is a project of Samaritan's Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham.

New York -- Dollar General is giving major financial support to a cause that may appeal to many value-oriented shoppers.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation announced that it has awarded over $4 million to approximately 870 schools, nonprofits and literacy organizations to enhance and support youth literacy and education across the 43 states Dollar General serves.

Minneapolis – Target Corp. is reportedly bringing a sunny approach to energy at its store in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

According to the Fayetteville Observer, Target will install solar panels that can generate 432 KwH of electricity per year on the store’s roof. There is no firm launch date yet for the store’s solar panels, which will likely generate 15%-30% of its total electricity needs.   

New York – Front-running Republican presidential contender Donald Trump continued his war of words with Macy’s Inc. during a Sunday morning interview on the CBS program, "Face the Nation."

Trump singled out Macy’s as an example of companies where the CEO places their friends on the board and receives inappropriately high pay.

Houston -- The integration of the Sleep Train organization into Mattress Firm continues as the firm works to drive future growth.

Mattress Firm Holding Corp. announced that Ken Murphy has been promoted to president and Rob Killgore to COO.

Rite Aid associates plan to honor 274 students who have been named recipients of Folds of Honor educational scholarships provided by the Rite Aid Foundation’s KidCents program.

New York -- The storefront of Century 21 Department Stores’ flagship in lower Manhattan has been given a stunning makeover to honor the city and in remembrance of the 9/11 terrorist attack.

The off-price retailer has partnered once again with internally famous street artist Thierry Guetta (commonly referred to as Mr. Brainwash), who has painted a vibrant mural on a 65-sq.-ft. by 225-sq.-ft. wall on the flagship’s façade. The store is in the financial district and close to where the World Trade Center once stood.   

The Home Depot's Team Depot is taking on the home lives of U.S. military veterans and their families through a two-month-long campaign called Celebration of Service.

Shoppers who love a good deal on designer duds have a new reason to shop Century 21 in New York City.

The retailer has partnered once again with famous street artist Mr. Brainwash on a second mural honoring the city and the attacks of Sept. 11. His second interpretation of the events that changed the city and the nation forever are located on a 65-square-foot by 225-square-foot wall of the storefront on Church Street, depicting painted images of iconic NYC sights and sceneries.