Cross-Merchandising

Cincinnati -- Macy's Inc. announced on Friday that Finish Line Inc. would be the department store retailer’s exclusive athletic footwear partner, opening in-store shops in more than 450 Macy’s stores nationwide. The merchandise will also be available online at macys.com.

Under the agreement, Finish Line will be Macy’s exclusive partner for men’s, women’s and kids athletic footwear and Macy’s will be the exclusive host for Finish Line-branded in-store shops.

An intriguing shopper marketing initiative involving Unilever and Tesco’s Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market division was launched today in select markets.

The two companies launched an intriguing program designed to help shoppers save money, drive sales of Unilever brands at Fresh & Easy stores and help the Arbor Day Foundation plant trees.

Each year, since the “big recession,” retailers have been putting out their holiday decorations and starting their promotional sales as early as mid-October. It used to be that Black Friday was the kick-off that got everyone out to the stores in search of that must-have discounted gift for their loved ones. This year, however, the calendar barely hit September and I saw Christmas trees on display at my local Costco and retailers announcing their layaway program incentives.

CINCINNATI — Kroger, in partnership with key suppliers, has committed $3 million in donations for local breast cancer initiatives across the country to support National Breast Cancer Awareness month in October.

At the end of this year, Kroger will have donated more than $21 million to support breast cancer research, education and services since Giving Hope a Hand began in 2006.

KIRKWOOD, Mo. — Supervalu banner Shop 'n Save has launched a program to combat hunger.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Just Born has introduced new Halloween-themed candies under its Peeps and Mike and Ike brands.

New Peeps snack size mini marshmallow chicks are 34 individually wrapped treats adorned in orange, green and purple. The new Mike and Ike Mummy's Mix limited-edition flavor mix, packaged in a 5-oz. theater box, includes lemon, orange, grape, lime and raspberry flavors. What's more, the new Mike and Ike variety bag features Mike and Ike original fruits, RedRageous! and Zours flavors, and is available in both 40-count and 63-count sizes.

Walmart and HumanaVitality have developed a unique way to incent people to eat healthier while promoting increased customer traffic at Walmart stores.

The companies on Wednesday morning launched a first-of-its-kind program called Vitality HealthyFood whereby Walmart offers a 5% discount on produce items to HumanaVitality members. The discount is loaded on a card in the form of a credit within five business days that can be redeemed on a subsequent trip to Walmart.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us revealed its 2012 hot toys list Wednesday, but not before Walmart did the same, giving the discounter a head start and the opportunity to poke fun at the toy retailer's earlier announced toy reservation program.

New York -- Disney has joined the roster of brands that will be setting up shop in J.C. Penney Co., with Disney children’s boutiques opening in Penney stores next fall, Women’s Wear Daily reported.

The in-store boutiques will feature products designed and sourced by Disney Consumer Products exclusively for J.C. Penney’s as well as Disney stores and theme parts, according to the report.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart and HumanaVitality annunced a first-of-its-kind program called Vitality HealthyFood, whereby Walmart offers a 5% discount on produce items to HumanaVitality members. The discount is loaded on a card in the form of a credit within five business days that can be redeemed on a subsequent trip to Walmart.