Displays & Signs

In the month of August, there was an overall 2% decline in pages and 5% decline in inserts per market versus 2010.

Lowes was one of the retailers who slowed promotional activity in 2011, by entirely pulling out two weeks of 2-page inserts and by decreasing their page-per-flyer count by an average of 4 pages.

It was steady as she goes for Target and many other retailers in terms of circular promotional activity in August, according to the last marketing insights from Market Track. There were a few instances where the number of pages per circular increased noticeably even if the number of circulars distributed was fairly consistent. For example, Walmart, Safeway and Best Buy saw the largest increase in pages while Lowe’s, JCPenney and Home Depot were the biggest decliners.

Fashion newness is all around this fall with interesting merchandising initiatives pitting designers, celebrities and retailers against one another to determine which approach will resonate strongest with consumers.

New York City -- Winick Realty Group said that TJ Maxx has leased its first Wall Street location, in the heart of New York City’s Financial District.

The 32,000-sq.-ft. store, which spans two lower levels at 14 Wall Street on the corner of Broad Street, is slated to open in October.

By Diane Buzzeo, DianeBuzzeo@abilitycom

QUINCY, Mass. — Stop & Shop has teamed up with Unilever to support hunger relief efforts of Feeding America and its local member food banks.

The companies said that they are donating $150,000 to the organization, which will provide more than 1 million meals to families in need.

NEW YORK — The third annual Fashion’s Night Out -- created by Vogue editor Anna Wintour -- kicked off on Thursday, Sept. 8, at 6 p.m. Although the shopping extravaganza has spread to more than 100 U.S. cities as well as select cities abroad, its nexus remains in New York City. More than 1,000 Big Apple merchants and designers are participating in the event, which is the kickoff to the city’s Fashion Week industry gathering.

New York City -- McDonald's Canada is investing approximately $1 billion in an ambitious program to transform the look, feel and function of its more than 1,400 locations across the country. More than half of the stores are expected to be remodeled by yearend, with the rest completed by the end of 2012.

New York City -- Videogame maker Electronic Arts has entered the retail arena, opening the EA Sports Experience store, at the Charlotte Douglas International airport, Charlotte, N.C. It will open two additional U.S. airport locations by the end of 2011.

The store sells EA Sports’ games and branded apparel, as well as gear from local sports teams. It features televisions with live sports programming, comfortable seating and electrical outlets to charge portable devices. Customers can also play their favorite EA Sports video games.

SAN FRANCISCO — Docker's announced that is partnering with Alexander Wang, who was named GQ's Best New Menswear Designer in America, and a diverse group of five other influential American menswear designers to unveil a limited-edition collection. Each designer will reinterpret the khaki pant in a modern way, the company reported.