Events

If it feels like summer just ended, that’s because it did: the first day of fall was Sept. 22. But you can bet your bottom dollar that retailers aren’t going to let a little thing like the calendar get in the way of moving forward with their holiday plans. In fact, if the recent spate of depressing economic news is any indicator, this year some brands might literally be betting their bottom dollar on the anticipated holiday sales boost.

As part of its efforts to strengthen its digital footprint, Walmart has launched its first-ever original reality series developed specifically for the Web. 

The new weekly Web series highlights 20 finalists in the Walmart Get on the Shelf contest, which encourages entrepreneurs to present products to Walmart customers.

Atlanta – Independent bookstores are reportedly growing sales at a healthy rate despite stiff competition from Amazon.com. According to an article in Fortune, American Booksellers Association figures show that independent bookstore sales in the U.S. grew 8% last year and are on track to grow at a similar pace this year.

New York -- New York City drugstore operator Duane Reade, a division of Walgreens, on Tuesday celebrated an important social milestone — surpassing one million followers on Twitter — with a gala event at the chain’s flagship on Wall Street. From September 2012 to date, the regional retailer has organically grown its Twitter following by 6,709%, making it one of the fastest-growing accounts on Twitter year over year. With 1.1 million followers at latest count, the chain is believed to be the most followed retailer in the drug, food and mass arena.

Indianapolis -- Hhgregg will open a new store in the Cincinnati area on Sept. 19. The new store, located at 5045 Glencrossing Way in the Western Hills section of Cincinnati, will replace the previous location at 5111 Glencrossing Way.

City of Commerce, Calif. — 99 Cents Only Stores will open a 15,635-sq.-ft. store in Garden Grove, Calif., on Sept. 19.

As part of the grand opening, the first nine customers may buy a 40-inch Westinghouse flat-screen TV for 99 cents. The chain currently operates 326 across the southwest.
 

Duck brand is hitting the road in its custom, bright green, 31-foot Duck Bus and heading to Burnham Park in Chicago as part of the Duck Tape "Rolls Across America” tour. 

Benicia, Calif. – Cycle Gear, Inc. has opened its first Indiana store on East 82nd Street in Indianapolis, near the Castleton Square Mall.

Cycle Gear will host a grand opening celebration weekend Sept. 20-22. Indianapolis is the latest in a recent run of store openings in the Midwest for Cycle Gear. The retailer, with more than 100 locations in 30 states, opened two stores in the Chicago area and one near Milwaukee earlier in the year.

CVS unveiled the details of a company-wide information and outreach program to help customers navigate their insurance options under the new healthcare law during a store visit in Orlando with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

The program includes retail events and brochure displays at more than 7,500 CVS/pharmacy stores and 650 MinuteClinic locations. Information is also available online at cvs.com/insurance.

Fancy Feast Gourmet Cat Food is teaming up with celebrity fashion designer Malan Breton to organize a runway show featuring feline-inspired fashions at Style360 New York Fashion Week.

Breton created three looks for his spring/summer 2014 collection based on the style and look of the iconic Fancy Feast cat, a Silver Chinchilla Persian.