Events

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot will team up with ICLEI–Local Governments for Sustainability to expand the National Green Business Challenge, a program that encourages local businesses to take part in a friendly competition to save energy and money, reduce waste and water consumption and procure greener products. 

The program was first piloted in 2010 as the City of Chicago’s "Green Office Challenge."

PLANO, Texas – Dr Pepper is on a quest to find one one-of-a-kind fan to feature in its upcoming advertisements. 

MILWAUKEE — Kohl’s is scheduled to return to Summerfest this year with its Captivation Station, an educative program geared toward children and families. Also returning to the festival will be the free-admission program Kohl’s Family Day, scheduled from noon–3 p.m. Sunday, June 30.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart and Shop Your Way are teaming up with New York Times bestselling author Sandra Lee to support the Share Our Strength Bake Sale for No Kid Hungry campaign. The national fundraising initiative encourages people to host bake sales in their communities to help end childhood hunger in the United States.

New York -- The University of Missouri-Kansas City will present Costco co-founder Jim Sinegal with its Entrepreneur of the Year award at a special ceremony this fall, according to published reports.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Thursday that Sinegal, who retired as the club retailer's CEO in January 2012, would be among the honorees of the university's 28th Annual Entrepreneur of the Year Awards celebration.

Sinegal founded Issaquah, Wash.-based Costco together with Jeff Brotman in 1983.
 

New York - U.S. retail sales fell 0.4% in March, the biggest decrease in nine months, amid a slowdown in hiring and higher taxes. Excluding sales of autos, gas and building materials, core sales dropped 0.2% in March, following a 0.3% increase in January.

A rededication to the basics business has Walmart’s apparel business heading in the right direction and next week, Andy Barron, EVP of softlines, will elaborate on the turnaround and winning with the Walmart customer.

LOS ANGELES — Walgreens has partnered with NBC to launch a new web series inspired by NBC’s hit weight-loss competition series "The Biggest Loser."

The series follows former contestant Filipe Fa's journey to lose weight and keep it off once and for all.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale Corporation  reported net sales of $9.67 billion for the month of March, the five weeks ended April 7, 2013, an increase of 7% from $9.07 billion during the similar period last year.

For the thirty-one weeks ended April 7, 2013, the company reported net sales of $61.02 billion, an increase of 8% from $56.34 billion during the similar period last year.

Total comparable-store sales for the month, excluding fuel were up 6%. For the thirty-one week period, they were up 5%.

LOS ANGELES — The Entertainment Industry Foundation is sponsoring the Revlon Run/Walk for Women for the 20th year in a row, the group said Tuesday.

Emma Stone and Olivia Wilde will act as Revlon brand ambassadors and hosts for the New York event, which takes place on May 4, while Halle Berry will do the same for the Los Angeles event, on May 11, along with Entertainment Tonight correspondent Brooke Anderson and Dancing with the Stars host Carrie Ann Inaba.