Events

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has launched its 2012 "12 Days of Giving" campaign by calling on Facebook users to once again nominate the nonprofits that are making an impact in their local communities and need support. Each of the "12 Days" will focus on a different giving theme, including hunger, military assistance and disaster relief.

Washington -- The National Retail Federation and more than a dozen of the nation’s most prominent retailers today asked a judge to reject a proposed class-action settlement of a federal antitrust lawsuit, saying it would not bring credit card swipe fees charged by Visa and MasterCard under control and does not give retailers who oppose it an adequate mechanism to opt out.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings announced that both Sears and Kmart stores will be open on Thanksgiving Day. The company said its made the decision based in part on feedback from members of its Shop Your Way loyalty program, who sought more flexible Black Friday in-store shopping times and eagerness to shop doorbuster deals.

Livermore, Calif. -- Paragon Outlets Livermore Valley, the first new outlet center to open in California since 2001, will hold its grand opening weekend celebration Nov. 8 through Nov 11.

Developed by Paragon Outlet Partners, a commercial real estate development firm headquartered in Baltimore, the $150 million, 543,000-sq.-ft. outlet center will feature 130 leading designer and top brand name stores.

New York -- With retail books closed prior to Hurricane Sandy’s arrival in the Northeast, most retailers experienced same-store sales gains for the month of October, some with stronger showings than others.

The 17 retail chains tracked by Thomson Reuters are predicted to report 4.3% growth in October same-store sales, up slightly over the 4.1% advance reported in the year-ago period and a significant gain over September’s 0.8% rise.

San Diego, Calif. -- Warehouse club operator PriceSmart reported Wednesday that net income for the quarter ended Aug. 31 rose to $17.7 million from $12.7 million in the year-ago period.

Total revenue rose to $515.5 million from $447.4 million.

New York -- Sales of Halloween candy, decorations and other items may not reach the $8 billion mark anticipated earlier by the National Retail Federation as Hurricane Sandy turned consumers’ attentions elsewhere.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. released a statement on Tuesday that none of its facilities have sustained any significant damage from Hurricane Sandy.

Some 168 stores remain closed, said the retailer, but some will be reopening with the use of generators.

The company also said that the superstorm has not had an impact on holiday planning at this point.

New York — The offices of Chain Store Age will be closed Monday evening and Tuesday due to Hurricane Sandy.

We hope that you, your friends and family will remain safe during this storm.

Sunbury, Pa. -- Weis Markets Inc. reported Friday that net income for the third quarter increased 1.2% to $17.2 million.

Sales for the period dipped 1.5% to $668.4 million and same-store stores decreased 1.7%.

Weis Markets operates 162 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey and West Virginia.