Events

Total U.S. Shopper Traffic in Retail Stores and Malls for May 2013

Shopper activity had a healthy gain last month. Retail foot traffic increased 9% in May compared to April 2013, consistent with generally positive month-over-month retail traffic trends. Foot traffic for May 2013 increased 6.9% compared to the same month in 2012.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores  held its annual shareholders meeting on Friday morning and the most noteworthy development at the event — aside from a $15 billion share repurchase authorization — was a surprise appearance and glowing comments by Hollywood heavyweight Tom Cruise.

Lowe’s is leveraging the popularity of Disney animated films "Monsters University" and "Toy Story" for its nationwide movie-themed Build and Grow clinics for kids.

The special hour-long clinics, recommended for children in grades two through five, will take place on select Saturdays at 10 a.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. throughout the summer and are free, the company announced.

Fitness and lifestyle brand Athleta is sponsoring this year's Esprit de She 5K and 10K races, designed exclusively for women, to be held Thursday, June 27, at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary, N.C., just 15 minutes from downtown Raleigh.

Athleta's mission to "celebrate and inspire women athletes of all levels" while outfitting them with apparel geared toward athletic pursuits that include yoga, Pilates, running, swimming and biking, is in line with the Esprit de She event.

SAN DIEGO — Pet specialty retailer Petco is launching a campaign to teach children how to safely approach and interact with dogs. The educative measure aims to lower dog-bite statistics, which drives traffic into its brick-and-mortar stores.

Petco certified dog trainers recommend that children follow the SAFE method, which is explained as follows: 

S: Stop, stand still and turn sideways before getting close to the dog.

WESTKLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — Dole is on a 4,800-mile banana truck tour in an attempt to get Americans to eat more fruits and veggies, namely bananas. Company representatives will travel for a total of 102 days in a pink-and-turquoise truck during the Peel the Love Summer Food Truck Tour.

Pittsburgh – Dick’s Sporting Goods is opening a new store in Petaluma, Calif., with a three-day grand opening weekend celebration beginning Friday, June 7. The location be the retailer's 28th store in the state of California and its 523rd nationwide.

"We're pleased to be opening a new Dick’s Sporting Goods store in Petaluma, which will enable us to better serve the needs of athletes in the community," said Lauren Hobart , chief marketing officer, Dick’s Sporting Goods..

Another pure online retailer has made the leap to brick-and-mortar. The Monocle Order, an online member’s club for sunglasses and optical frames, has opened a flagship in Brooklyn’s uber hip Williamsburg neighborhood.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble’s Always feminine care brand has announced the launch of its “Give a Girl a Break” initiative that aims to turn filmmaking passions into careers for a group of aspiring young women.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will hold its Annual Meeting of Shareholders on Friday, June 7, including an executive update by president and CEO Mike Duke.

As many as 14,000 global Walmart associates are also attending the event, most arriving in time for elaborate pre-meeting activities. "Our success is only possible because of the hard work and dedication of our 2.2 million associates around the world,” said Susan Chambers, executive VP global people, at Walmart.