Events

LOS ANGELES — Nearly half of U.S. shoppers plan to spend more this back-to-school shopping season than in 2011, according to the latest PriceGrabber survey.

Pooling responses from 4,450 U.S. online shopping consumers, with 1,509 of the respondents planning to shop this back-to-school season, 46% said they plan to spend more this year that in 2011, while 35% said they plan to spend the same amount (compared with 52% that expressed this sentiment in 2011) and 19% are looking to spend less this year (compared with 35% in 2011).

NEW YORK — Macy's has launched its annual summer fundraising campaign for children's literacy. Starting June 22, customers can give $3 to help provide a book for a child in their local communities. Through the program, customers will receive a coupon for $10 off an in-store purchase of $50 or more (certain exclusions apply), and Macy’s will donate 100% of every $3 to Reading Is Fundamental. The five-week fundraising effort ends July 31.

New York -- Macy’s Herald Square has extended its shopping hours to make it easier for shoppers while the flagship undergoes its extensive, four-year renovation.

Starting Monday, the store opens at 9 a.m., instead of 10 a.m., Monday through Friday. The Saturday and Sunday schedule remains the same, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., respectively. 
 

CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Dollar Tree shareholders have re-elected a number of board members among other initiatives passed at the company's annual meeting.

Shareholders re-elected Arnold S. Barron, Macon F. Brock, Jr., Mary Anne Citrino, J. Douglas Perry, Thomas A. Saunders III, Thomas E. Whiddon, and Carl P. Zeithaml to serve on the board of directors. Each of these Directors received a majority of the votes cast at the meeting.

“A government agency run amok,” is how National Retail Federal president and CEO Matt Shay this week described the actions of the National Labor Relations Board regarding the issue of micro-unions.

Tarrytown, N.Y. -- DLC Management Corp., which owns Stone Mountain Square in Stone Mountain, Ga., said Friday that Big Lots has opened a 26,355-sq.-ft. store at the shopping center.

Big Lots co-anchors the center with Ross Dress for Less, T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, Dot’s and Anna’s Linens.
 

Montreal -- Aéropostale said Thursday that it is adding to its presence in Canada with the opening of its first store in Quebec, on June 15 at Place du Royaume in Ville de Saguenay.

The chain said that six more stores will open in 2012, including Place Laurier in Québec City, Fairview Pointe Claire in Point-Claire, Promenades St. Bruno in St. Bruno De Montarville, Galleria D'Anjou in Anjou, Mail Champlain in Brossard and Les Galeries de la Capitale in Québec City.

Richmond, Va. -- Chattanooga, Tenn.-based CBL & Associates Properties said Thursday that Dick’s Sporting Goods will open a new store at Southpark Mall in Richmond, Va.

The existing Dillard’s location will be redeveloped into the new 56,000-sq.-ft. Dick’s store as well as a selection of specialty stores and restaurants. Construction is scheduled to begin in October with a grand opening slated for summer 2013.

WASHINGTON — After a surprisingly strong first quarter, consumers have slowed their spending in May, according to the latest report from the National Retail Federation. The NRF reported that May retail sales (excluding automobile, gas stations and restaurants) decreased 0.3%seasonally adjusted from April but increased 4.8% unadjusted year-over-year, marking 23 consecutive months of retail sales growth.

MINNEAPOLIS — Canned peaches, criminal records and political contributions were among the top shareholder concerns expressed at Target’s annual meeting on Wednesday afternoon.