Events

New York -- The National Retail Federation on Wednesday said it looked forward to continuing to work with President Obama and the new Congress toward the goal of putting Americans back to work and ensuring that the nation’s economy remains the strongest in the world.

Total U.S. shopper traffic in retail stores and malls for October 2012

Columbus Day and Halloween have historically brought more shoppers to stores in October. This year, however, the month saw a 4.1% decrease in retail foot traffic compared with September. October 2012 did manage to narrowly continue a trend of year-over-year improvements by posting a 1.4% increase in retail foot traffic when compared to the same month last year.

Cincinnati – Macy’s on Wednesday reported a better-than-expected 4.3% increase in third-quarter net income, helped by sales gains, and slightly raised its full-year profit outlook.  

Macy’s also announced that it will discontinue reporting monthly sales, beginning in fiscal 2013. Sales will continue to be reported quarterly, along with earnings and cash flow.

UNION BEACH, N.J. — In partnership with the American Red Cross, beginning Nov. 6, the P&G Mobile Relief Center will be stationed in Union Beach, N.J., to provide showers, personal care kits, household products — including Bounty, Charmin, Tide and Dawn — and baby products, including Pampers diapers and wipes, to victims of Hurricane Sandy, Procter & Gamble announced Monday. This service will be free to all victims, responders and their families.

NEW YORK — Beauty company L'Oréal Paris has recognized the charitable work of 10 women — including Montgomery County district attorney Risa Vetri Ferman, the cofounder of Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center — by distinguishing them as "Women of Worth" and giving them $10,000 each for their individual charities.

TORONTO — Ahead of its 2013 debut, Target is building its presence in Canada with a new partnership with the Toronto Fashion Incubator for the annual TFI New Labels Fashion Design competition celebrating and supporting up and coming Canadian designers. 

The winner will receive $25,000 and the chance to create an exclusive collection to be sold in Target stores across Canada in 2014.

New York -- For the second year in a row, Macy’s stores nationwide will open at midnight on Black Friday, Friday, Nov. 23.

A new Black Friday feature on Macy’s mobile app will help customers browse and shop for specials specific to their local store.

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc. is donating more than $1 million to help victims of Hurricane Sandy, which struck the East Coast earlier this week and caused widespread damage and destruction.

Upon the request of the American Red Cross, Gap Inc. will donate more than $250,000 worth of clothing, which will be distributed tomorrow in New Jersey, one of the areas hit the hardest by this week’s superstorm. In addition, the company will donate $750,000 cash to provide critical help and necessities for those in affected areas.