Marketing Tactics

SAN BRUNO, Calif. — Walmart has revealed the 10 finalists that have been selected after the first round of public voting for its Get on the Shelf contest. According to the company, more than 4,000 inventors, entrepreneurs and small businesses from across the country submitted products into the contest and more than one million votes were cast in a tight race where the American public voted for items they would like to see carried by Walmart.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is offering the women who work in the factories that supply its products the chance for a better life with lessons in such critical life skills as communication, hygiene, reproductive health, occuputational health and safety and gender sensitivity. The Women in Factories program, a five-year initiative will benefit 60,000 women working in factories in India, Bangladesh, China and Central America.

Monthly Chain Performance
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Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart and the Walmart Foundation announced $958.9 million in cash and in-kind contributions around the globe during the fiscal year ending January 31, 2012. The company's U.S. giving grew nearly 20%, largely due to increased donations of produce, meats, poultry and other nutritious food to local food banks from Walmart stores, Sam's Club locations and distribution centers.

Overall, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation's giving in the last fiscal year includes:

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart announced it has launched its Women in Factories program, a five-year initiative that will empower 60,000 women working in factories that supply products to Walmart and other retailers in India, Bangladesh, China and Central America.

Pittsburgh -- Dick's Sporting Goods has agreed to make a 20 million pound investment ($31.75 million) in U.K. sports retailer JJB Sports plc, which operates over 180 stores in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Dick's will purchase 18.75 million pounds ($29.76 million) in junior secured convertible notes and 1.25 million pounds ($1.98 million) in ordinary shares of JJB Sports. The transaction is subject to approval of the British company's shareholders.

First, who said technology coverage has little to do with retail real estate commentary?

And second, who said the Millennials aren’t wise beyond their years?

For the record, I never said either.

New York -- Many apparel retailers and department stores registered solid gains in March, as an early spring brought out shoppers looking for seasonal merchandise earlier than they typically would. Last month was the warmest March in North America in more than 50 years, according to weather data provider Planalytics.

Macy’s, Kohl’s Corp., Limited Brands and Gap Inc. were among the retailers who topped analyst estimates.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has bolstered its Easter assortment, offering a number of popular holiday items at competitive price points. For example, the retailer is offering a five-pack of Cadbury Eggs for $2.78, Marshmallow Peeps for $1 each and Starburst Jellybeans for $1.88.

To build their Easter baskets, Walmart is offering customers green Easter grass for 28 cents, plastic Easter Eggs (10 ct.) for 50 cents and Easter buckets/baskets for 97 cents each. 

SAN FRANCISCO — Williams-Sonoma is reaching out to customers who want to be more hands on with their food with the launch of a Agrarian, a collection of products that focuses on the virtues of homegrown and homemade.