Events

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation released its 2012 holiday forecast on Tuesday, which shows sales increasing 4.1% to $586.1 billion, down from last year’s 5.6% growth.

However, the NRF’s 2012 estimate tops the 10-year holiday sales growth average of 3.5%.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Hy-Vee is showing its commitment to health by joining the efforts to make its home state of Iowa the healthiest in the nation.

More than 100 Hy-Vee stores will take part in the second Healthiest State Walk on Oct. 3.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Kodak is hoping to extend its exclusive right to file a plan of reorganization.

Monroeville, Pa. -- Chattanooga, Tenn.-based CBL & Associates Properties announced that, on the heels of the grand opening of a 110,000-sq.-ft. J.C. Penney store, construction has commenced on a state-of-the-art 12-screen Cinemark Theatre.  Both are part of CBL’s redevelopment of Monroeville Mall, located near Pittsburgh in Monroeville, Pa.

The grand opening for Cinemark Theatre is anticipated for late 2013.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears customers can now engage the services of Jackson Hewitt for tax preparation for the 2013 season.

PepsiCo’s Mountain Dew executives and recording artist Lil Wayne this week opened a new skate park in New Orleans made possible by funding from the beverage brand.

The skate park is located in the city’s Ninth Ward, a region that gained infamy following devastating flooding after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The skate park is a key component of a social media, brand building initiative known as DEWeezy that was announced in March of this year and offers Dew fans an opportunity to create a television commercial featuring Lil Wayne.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — OfficeMax is easing the burden felt by many teachers through its  sixth annual A Day Made Better teacher surprise events on Tuesday, October 2nd.

On Oct. 2, OfficeMax will surprise 1,000 teachers each with $1,000 worth of school supplies for their classrooms.  To identify recipient schools in need across the country, OfficeMax partnered with the nonprofit organization AdoptAClassroom.org. Principals of participating schools nominated teachers that exemplify passion, dedication and innovation in the classroom.

New York -- British fashion retailer Katherine Hooker said she will debut her latest collection of coats and jackets this October with the opening of a U.S. pop-up shop in New York City beginning Oct. 5.

The Soho shop is located at 436 West Broadway and will run through Oct. 14. The shop is Hooker's only brick-and-mortar retail presence outside of her flagship in London's Chelsea neighborhood.