Coupons/ Rebates/ Pricing

BENTONVILLE, Ark.  -- Walmart announced a new relationship with NASCAR to give Walmart customers and race fans new NASCAR branded merchandise and special savings on race tickets available on Walmart.com/NASCAR for select races.  The new retail program, branded "Race Time", is the largest retail promotion in NASCAR's history, according to Walmart, and launches in 1,500 Walmart stores just in time for the start of the season with the 53rd running of the Daytona 500 (FOX, Sunday, Feb. 20 at 1 p.m. ET).

New York City -- A report released Thursday by American Express Business Insights said that spending in the fourth quarter was up across the board, but the retail sector spend growth was more subdued despite the holiday shopping season.

ATLANTA -- The Home Depot announced it will hire more than 60,000 seasonal associates in time for its second annual Spring Black Friday event.

Like the traditional Black Friday that occurs the day after Thanksgiving to unofficially start the holiday shopping season, The Home Depot's Spring Black Friday marks the start of home improvement's busiest shopping season -- the spring. 

Mahwah, N.J. -- Jeweler Bailey Banks & Biddle said Tuesday it has joined TD Retail Card Services’ L.J.C. private-label credit-card program. 

Under the agreement, TD Bank, N.A. will direct the L.J.C. program, which features a revolving private-label credit card created specifically for independent and small-chain retailers of jewelry and other luxury items. Cardholders can avail themselves of a number of special financing options, including multiple deferred interest and equal payment promotions.

Atlanta -- The Home Depot said Tuesday it will hire more than 60,000 seasonal associates in time for the company's second annual Spring Black Friday event.

The retailer will implement the spring promotion market-by-market over four different weekends in the spring. The event marks the start of home improvement's busiest shopping season. 

NEW YORK -- BrandSpark International, along with Better Homes and Gardens, released the top shopper trends from the third annual Best New Product Award (BNPA) American Shopper Study, which surveyed more than 63,000 Americans.

Target took it to some leading brands in its weekly ad on Sunday where it devoted a full page to a side-by-side price comparison between its Up&Up brand and leaders of their respective categories such as Clorox, Similac, Reynolds Wrap, Tums, Jergens and Nyquil. It was the second week in a row Target has promoted Up&Up in its weekly circular except last week, the brand was featured on the cover with a reminder that Up&Up offers “unbeatable prices on over 900 quality products every day.”

In the price comparison from this past week, featured brands included:

NEW YORK -- Macy's has announced the launch of "Edie Rose Home," an exclusive tabletop collection designed by actress Rachel Bilson, now available at select Macy's stores nationwide and on macys.com.