Events

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.

Chicago — Black Friday will be the single biggest sales and foot traffic day of this holiday season, followed by Saturday, Dec. 22, according to ShopperTrak, the world’s largest counter and analyzer of retail foot traffic. With the greatest possible number of shopping days — 32 — lying between Black Friday and Christmas this year, ShopperTrak predicts that national retail sales will rise 3.3% (over last year) during the peak holiday shopping months of November and December; retail foot traffic will increase 2.8%.

By Chris Merritt, Ryder

Natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy are devastating. They impact people’s lives and livelihood. In addition, as we’ve learned from recent years, they can result in significant supply chain disruptions. Following the storm, we are seeing three issues impacting retail supply chains – power, fuel, and people.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation is continuing its fight against credit card swipe fees by asking a judge to reject a proposed class-action settlement of a federal antitrust lawsuit, saying it would not bring the fees charged by Visa and MasterCard under control and does not give retailers who oppose it an adequate mechanism to opt out.

New York -- Hurricane Sandy is likely to result in shipping delays and an increase in third-party carrier rates due to fuel shortages, according to Chris Merritt, VP/GM, retail supply chain solutions for Ryder.

"While most retailers should have enough inventory for their regular replenishment items, we expect to see out-of-stock situations up and down the East Coast for promotional items retailers have ordered and advertised for Black Friday," Merritt said.

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.

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.

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.