Winter Holidays

Endcaps at Target stores are touting the retailer’s “Top Toys,” selections for the upcoming holiday season. Meanwhile, real estate on side panels is being used to appeal to shoppers with smart phones who are encouraged to scan a QR code to complete an order and receive free shipping.
 

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Lowe’s is donating $1 million to disaster relief and rebuilding efforts in communities affected by Hurricane Sandy. Lowe’s will work with its national nonprofit partners to provide both immediate and long-term support to local communities across the Northeast.

New York -- While it may be days, even weeks, before the full extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy is known, economists are forecasting that retail sales will be impacted in October and November but that the economy overall will experience an uptick.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. released a statement on Tuesday that none of its facilities have sustained any significant damage from Hurricane Sandy.

Some 168 stores remain closed, said the retailer, but some will be reopening with the use of generators.

The company also said that the superstorm has not had an impact on holiday planning at this point.

Toronto -- Sears Canada said Tuesday it has debuted a permanent shoppable iPad application for its Wish Book catalog after a temporary launch for the 2011 holiday shopping season.

The app will contain various content throughout any given year, the first of which appears Tuesday in the form of the 60th anniversary Wish Book.

San Antonio -- Consumers plan to buy more gifts this year, according to a recent survey commissioned by USAA and released Monday. The fourth annual USAA holiday spending survey indicated that consumer sentiment toward holiday budgeting has become more positive in 2012 when compared to 2011 (53% versus 45%).

New York — The offices of Chain Store Age will be closed Monday evening and Tuesday due to Hurricane Sandy.

We hope that you, your friends and family will remain safe during this storm.

Grapevine, Texas -- GameStop Corp. announced Friday it has unveiled a new store concept called GameStop Kids and will open 80 holiday stores in U.S. malls.

GameStop Kids stores will feature an assortment of the most popular video games and accessories, toy brands and collectibles, showcased in temporary mall spaces.

The first GameStop Kids location opened Friday at the Grapevine Mills Mall in Grapevine, Texas, with all other locations opening in the coming days and weeks, according to the company.