Seasonal

Following the second warmest retail May in 2012, this year will trend colder, especially across the Eastern half of the nation. Colder temperatures in the East will cause a dip in year-over-year demand for seasonal products like apparel, sun care, cold beverages, lawn and garden supplies, ice cream and fans/air conditioners. May 2013 is setting up to be a more active month for severe weather than last year with the highest risk periods in early May and again during retail week three. Localized demand for chainsaws and other clean-up products will be needed in the South and Midwest.

PHILADELPHIA — Five Below, a leading retailer of extreme-value merchandise for teens and pre-teens, is once again teaming up with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation to raise money to help children with cancer. 

Moms are in for a special treat this Mother’s Day, May 12, according to a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation, but another survey conducted by IBISWorld has found that Mother’s Day spending growth will be flat this year compared to last year.

NRF’s Mother’s Day spending survey conducted by BIGinsight has found consumers will spend an average of $169 on mom, up 11% from last year’s $153. Total spending is expected to reach $21 billion.

Los Angeles -- Mother's Day spending will be nearly flat this year as more Americans return to work and have less spare time, according to a new report by market research firm IBISWorld.

The report forecast a 0.2% rise in purchases on Mother's Day gifts this year over last year, for a total of $17.1 billion.

New Britain, Conn.-based Stanley Black & Decker saw revenues grow, largely as the result of acquisitions.

The company reported first-quarter revenues of $2.49 billion, an increase of 3% over the prior-year period. Volume and currency each declined approximately 1%, while acquisitions added 4% to that total. 

Net earnings declined to $81.1 million for the quarter, compared with $121.8 million in the same quarter last year. 

NEW YORK, N.Y. — As the six month anniversary of Hurricane Sandy approaches, online grocery service Peapod is teaming up with Family-to-Family, Inc. to launch a 90-day campaign to restock the kitchen cupboards of families still struggling from the effects of the storm.

HANOVER, Pa. — Synder’s of Hanover is using the 30th anniversary of National Pretzel Day to create a series of nationwide events to engage with consumers.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart and its foundation gave more than $1 billion in cash and in-kind contributions throughout the last fiscal year, the company announced Monday. 

It’s the most money and in-kind donations given by Walmart or any U.S. retailer in a fiscal year ever , according to the company. The growth in global giving was largely due to increased in-kind donations in the U.S. to local food banks and families impacted by disasters.