Events

WASHINGTON --  The National Retail Federation has a new ally in its fight for swipe-fee reform. The group announced that Americans for Financial Reform, a coalition focused on financial services industry reform that includes the Consumer Federation of America, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group and a number of other consumer organizations among its 250 national, state and local members, asked Congress Wednesday to reject proposals to delay swipe-fee reform.

Foxborough, Mass. -- Patriot Place shopping center, located in Foxborough, Mass., announced that Charming Charlie boutique opened today, its first location in Massachusetts.

MIAMI BEACH — While less consumers are seeking out private-label options this year, preplanning activities continue to be a priority, according to a new survey conducted by SymphonyIRI Group.

In SymphonyIRI's inaugural MarketPulse survey, the group found that 2-out-of-3 shoppers today are making shopping lists prior to visiting the store, while 56% are reading store fliers either before or at the store — statistics that are in line with trends noted in 2010.

Fort Worth, Texas -- The Weitzman Group/Cencor Realty Services announced that Cinemark Holdings will construct a 14-screen, all-digital movie theater that will feature the company's new Cinemark NextGen design concept.   

Cinemark has entered into an agreement to purchase 10 acres in Presidio Junction, a 300-acre master-planned mixed-use development of LNR Property LLC, located eight miles north of downtown Fort Worth, Texas.

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), managed by The Consumer Goods Forum, announced that Yves Rey, corporate quality general manager Danone, has been appointed chairman elect to replace current chairman, Jürgen Matern, Metro AG, once he completes his mandate in February 2012. Yves Rey will become the sixth chairman of the Global Food Safety Initiative. 

WASHINGTON -- The National Retail Federation announced that it welcomed Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's commitment to complete final swipe fee reform regulations in time for retailers to begin offering customers discounts and other benefits this summer as scheduled.

Matthews, N.C. -- Family Dollar Stores reported Wednesday that net income for the quarter ended Feb. 26 rose 10% to $123.2 million, compared with $112.2 million a year earlier. Results were helped in part by improved traffic and higher transaction value.

Revenue increased 8% to $2.26 billion, from $2.09 billion. Same-store sales rose 5.1%.

Earlier in March, Family Dollar turned down an approximately $7 billion buyout offer from minority shareholder Nelson Peltz's Trian Fund.

NORTHBROOK, Ill. -- Procter & Gamble announced that it has teamed up with its grocery retail partners to create a mobile app designed to help consumers live and shop more sustainably. The app, called "My Carbon Footprint," works on iPhone, iPad or Droid devices is an interactive, social media-enabled carbon footprint gauge powered by P&G's Future Friendly initiative, P&G reported. It will become available on Earth Day, April 22.