Seasonal

New York -- A holiday preview report released Tuesday by the International Council of Shopping Centers said that sales are forecasted to rise 3% during the traditional November-December 2012 holiday period.

Additionally, ICSC said it anticipates that the other two measures of U.S. industry holiday sales – shopping-center sales and GAFO-store sales – will increase slightly as well.  

By Jeannie Lewis, [email protected], @dot jeannie

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us said Tuesday it will hire 45,000 seasonal employees for the 2012 holiday season, about 5,000 more than last year.
 
The increase, said the retailer, is driven in part by the addition of positions resulting from omnichannel programs such as "Buy Online, Pick Up In Store," "Ship from Store" and "Ship to Store."

KIRKWOOD, Mo. — Supervalu banner Shop 'n Save has launched a program to combat hunger.

Rochester, Minn. — Electric Friends, which produces animal-themed speakers for iPhone and iPod, will be available in Toys“R”Us stores nationwide beginning Sept. 28, featured as an end cap throughout the holiday season.

LOS ANGELES — Nestle, through its Abuelita hot chocolate and Nescafe Cafe de Olla instant coffe, is enocuraging Latinas to celebrate Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.

STERLING, Ill. — Personal care products manufacturer Wahl and Petfinder.com have teamed up in honor of National Dog Adoption Month with a unique pet photo contest to support America's shelters.

According to Petfinder.com Foundation, more than eight million animals are placed in shelters annually, but only half of them ever get adopted. The number of dogs adopted is lowest in the months of October, November and December.

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.

ORRVILLE, Ohio — Smuckers brand Uncrustables has teamed up with Olympic Gold Medal Figure Skater, Kristi Yamaguchi, for the Unstoppable Family Photo Contest. The winner will receive $15,000 check toward an unstoppable family adventure and a year's supply of Uncrustables sandwiches.

From now through Nov. 1, parents can go to www.uncrustables.com to submit a photo showing where their families enjoy Smucker's Uncrustables sandwiches in their unstoppable family adventures with a brief caption.

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.