Events

When the days grow shorter and the air starts to turn chilly, retail companies prepare for their hottest time of year. As they get ready for the holiday season, retailers will do well to keep three additional factors in mind:

u Adjust for the presidential election. Typically, retailers market heavily in October and early November to drive store foot traffic as the holidays begin. Early marketing efforts, however, will not go as far this holiday season.

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Network television is rife with talent shows, and now Whole Foods has jumped on the bandwagon with a unique brand engagement initiative.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Lest anyone think Walmart would miss out on the opportunity to cash in on the "Hunger Games" phenomenon, the company has followed suit with Target and Toys"R"Us in offering a unique experience for fans.

MODESTO, Calif. — Save Mart Supermarkets announced that all of its banners — including Save Mart, S-Mart Foods, Lucky, FoodMaxx and Maxx Value Foods stores — will be raising funds for children's hospitals in California and Nevada.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot is sponsoring the 2012 Do Something Awards, which will air Tuesday, Aug. 21 at 9:00pm ET on VH1.

Hosted by "New Girl" stars Jake Johnson, Emmy-nominated Max Greenfield and Lamorne Morris, the ceremony will honor and celebrate the nation’s best young world-changers who represent the pivotal “do-ers” in their field, cause or issue.

ROCKFORD, Ill. — Lucky's Q took home the Midwest regional title in the Sam's Club National BBQ tour.

Based in Denver, Iowa, Lucky Q's competed with teams from Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota at the Aug. 4 regional event in Rockford, Ill.

WAYNE, N.J. — The "Hunger Games" craze is making its way through the retail industry, with Toys"R"Us being the latest to try and cash in on the popular franchise.

LOS ANGELES — Sears is offering customers who want to save and donate to a good cause the chance to do both on Aug. 11, with its "Super Back-to-School Saturday" event. On this day only, Sears will donate up to $70,000 of all apparel, footwear and fine jewelry purchases made using a downloadable 15% off savings pass, both in-store and online. Donations will directly benefit charities affiliated with Sears' Team Up to Stop Bullying, an initiative designed to bring solutions quickly and effectively to victims, families, educators and communities.

Total U.S. shopper traffic in retail stores and malls for July 2012

This July, Americans celebrated their independence with barbeques, fireworks and shopping. With Independence Day, July 4, falling on a Wednesday, more consumers than usual took the entire week off. This extra vacation time provided more free time to shop compared to last year’s Fourth of July holiday. July’s retail foot traffic increased 8.1% compared to the previous month and increased 4.6% compared to the same period last year.