Events

WAYNE, N.J. — The "Hunger Games" craze is making its way through the retail industry, with Toys"R"Us being the latest to try and cash in on the popular franchise.

CINCINNATI — After delivering a 22% increase over the prior year in diluted per share for it second quarter (from 55 cents to 67 cents), Macy's Inc. has raised its full-year earnings guidance for 2012.

The company now expects earnings per diluted share to range from $3.30 to $3.35, compared with previous guidance for earnings per diluted share of $3.25 to $3.30. Guidance for same-store sales in fiscal 2012 remains unchanged at an increase of approximately 3.7%.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Trianz, a global consulting and turnkey execution services firm with clients in the retail space, has expanded its leadership team. Trianz has appointed Joanne Mack, VP consulting, to its leadership team and also expanded its U.S. presence by recently opening an office in New York City.

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Kellogg's is honoring the gold-medal-winning U.S. women's gymnastic team by featuring them on their Corn Flakes cereal box.

Gabby Douglas, McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman, Kyla Ross and Jordyn Wieber of the "Fierce Five" will be featured on special-edition boxes of Kellogg's Corn Flakes, which will be on shelves this fall. 

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. 

St. Louis -- Discount grocer Save-A-Lot announced the openings of two grocery stores, one in Orange Park, Fla., and the other in Waveland, Miss.

The Orange Park store opened on Aug. 2, and the Waveland store opened Aug. 5.

Save-A-Lot Food Stores is a subsidiary of Supervalu Inc.

Bergen, N.J. -- Vitamin Shoppe Inc. reported Tuesday that net income for the second quarter surged 38.8% to $16.6 million, compared with $12 million in the year-ago period and marking the third straight quarter of profit increases.

Revenue rose 13.4% to $245 million, beating Wall Street’s expected $241.8 million in revenue.

The company said it is on track to open 52 stores in fiscal 2012.

Charlottesville, Va. -- Columbia, S.C.-based Edens said that Trader Joe’s is among the anchor tenants of its new Shops at Stonefield development, under construction in Charlottesville, Va.

The Shops at Stonefield will begin opening stores and restaurants in November 2012. Tenants include Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Langford Market and Trader Joe's. Edens said it is also working with local retailer Blue Ridge Mountain Sports on a new flagship store.

MINNEAPOLIS — "Hunger Game" fans will hope the "odds be ever in their favor" to get their hands on special collection keepsakes and an exclusive three-disc version of the blockbuster film. These premium items range from $349 to $999 – Target’s first-ever licensed product offering at this price point – and will be introduced one per day beginning on Aug. 18 to coincide with the DVD release.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties announced that construction has started  on The Crossings at Marshalls Creek, a 103,000-sq.-ft. shopping center development in Stroudsburg (Middle Smithfield), Pa.

The shopping center will be anchored by Price Chopper grocery, Rite Aid, STS Tire and Auto Centers and Family Dollar and will feature approximately 22,000 sq. ft. of stores and restaurants. The grand opening is scheduled for June 2013.