Marketing Tactics

Bentonville, Ark. -- For the first time in the retailer’s history, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said that, through Walmart and the Walmart Foundation, it has given more than $1 billion in cash and in-kind contributions.

The Monday announcement makes Walmart the first U.S. retailer to achieve the $1 billion in giving mark, up from $872.7 million last year. The growth in global giving was largely due to increased in-kind donations in the U.S. to local food banks and families impacted by disasters.

PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Strength in the games category enabled Hasbro to increase first quarter revenues by 2% to $664 million compared to $649 million for the same period last year. 

First quarter revenues were negatively affected by $3 million due to the impact of foreign exchange and one less week in the reporting period. The first quarter 2013 was a 13-week period compared to the first quarter 2012, which was a 14-week period.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart and its foundation gave more than $1 billion in cash and in-kind contributions throughout the last fiscal year, the company announced Monday. 

It’s the most money and in-kind donations given by Walmart or any U.S. retailer in a fiscal year ever , according to the company. The growth in global giving was largely due to increased in-kind donations in the U.S. to local food banks and families impacted by disasters.

Quincy, Mass. -- Ahold USA and its Stop & Shop banner have donated half a million dollars to a charitable organization set up to aid victims of the recent terrorist attacks in Boston.

The company announced the donation of $500,000 to The One Fund Boston, formed by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.

"Words cannot express the tragedy that took place at the Boston Marathon," Stop & Shop New England Division president Joe Kelley said. "We mourn with all of those who were affected."

CINCINNATI — Tide will get in on the 2013 NFL Draft action by offering an endorsement deal to the first player drafted to each of the 32 NFL teams, in celebration of their new colors. 

Tide will also reward fans with a gift delivered via Twitter by each of the contracted rookies during the first and second rounds of the draft. The rookies will also ask the fans to share what team colors mean to them by tweeting out using hashtag #AboutOurColors.

Lowe's has released its Corporate Social Responsibility Report Card, which covers education, environment and more. 

“To achieve greater progress for our communities and our company, we continue to build on our commitment to never stop improving,” said Robert Niblock, Lowe’s chairman, president and CEO. “We’re focused on carrying out those responsibilities every day with the help of our 245,000 employees across North America.” 

Corte Madera, Calif. -- Restoration Hardware Holdings Inc. reported Friday a loss of $28.4 million for the quarter ended Feb. 2, compared with a profit of $24 million in the year-ago period. Results, impacted by costs associated with the company’s November 2012 IPO, edged analysts’ expectations.

Revenue surged 30% to $398.1 million from $305.2 million last year, beating Wall Street’s forecast of $390.5 million. Same-store sales advanced a hefty 26%.

Strong sales of new products and fleece allowed athletic performance brand Under Armour to grow sales 23% to $472 million during its first quarter ended March 31.

Despite the solid increase in sales, the 12th consecutive quarter of revenue growth in excess of 20%, net income tumbled 47% to $8 million, or 7 cents a share, due largely to the timing of marketing expenses associated with the company’s largest ever global marketing campaign.