Winter Holidays

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is getting ready for the increased demand on its stores during the holiday shopping season by offering more hours to its existing associates and hiring more than 50,000 seasonal associates.

"The holidays are a special time of the year for everyone, and we are ready to help customers have a great shopping experience at Walmart—whether they are looking for the perfect gift or are stocking up for a memorable holiday meal," said Gisel Ruiz, EVP and COO Walmart U.S.

When temperatures turn cooler this fall New Yorker’s will have a new Burlington Coat Factory store to satisfy their need for outerwear.

The national off-price chain and operator of 482 stores opened its newest unit in New York’s Union Square on Friday. The 92,000-sq.-ft store is located at 14th Street and University Place is the company’s sixth New York location, which means Manhattan residents are already familiar with the Burlington, NJ-based company.

Arlington, Va. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) issued the following statement in response to an announcement that the U.S. Maritime Alliance and the International Longshoremen’s Association have agreed to a 90-day extension of the collective bargaining agreement due to expire on Sept. 30.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Friday it will add about 50,000 seasonal associates to staff its stores this year, as well as offer additional hours to existing personnel.

“This is our busiest time of the year and we are focused even more on providing excellent service to our shoppers throughout the holiday season,” said Gisel Ruiz, executive VP and COO, Walmart U.S. “One way we do that is by ensuring our stores are adequately staffed by our associates.”

The leaves haven’t even turned yet in my part of the country, but the holiday onslaught is already well under way. Specifically, the annual deluge of forecasts and predictions as retail consultants, analysts, economists and others try to read the tea leaves with regards to the upcoming holiday season.

Richmond, Va. -- An annual seasonal hiring survey released Thursday by Snagajob indicates that more holiday jobs will be available this year than have been expected in any previous season in the study’s five-year history.  


The survey of more than 1,000 hourly hiring managers with responsibility for seasonal hiring, conducted by IPSOS Public Affairs for Snagajob, included the following highlights:

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us revealed its 2012 hot toys list Wednesday, but not before Walmart did the same, giving the discounter a head start and the opportunity to poke fun at the toy retailer's earlier announced toy reservation program.

NEW YORK — While holiday retail sales will remain flat or only slightly up from last year, emerging consumer buying trends will have significant implications for retailers, according to a new survey from Booz & Co.

New York – Emerging consumer buying trends will have significant implications for retailers this holiday season, according to a new survey from Booz & Co.

Memphis -- Fred’s Super Dollar announced that it is launching a holiday layaway plan featuring no fees and a down payment of only $1. The plan also offers a $5 gift card to customers for every layaway purchase totaling $50 or more.