Seasonal

Ralphs and Food 4 Less don't have stores anywhere near the Northeastern U.S., but that didn't stop the Kroger divisions from joining with other retailers providing an outpouring of support to those coping with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Walmart’s decision to sell, and more importantly, actively promote, a $98 Internet-connected television device called Boxee TV could help shape the future of in-home content delivery.

By Chris Merritt, Ryder

Natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy are devastating. They impact people’s lives and livelihood. In addition, as we’ve learned from recent years, they can result in significant supply chain disruptions. Following the storm, we are seeing three issues impacting retail supply chains – power, fuel, and people.

Alameda, Calif. -- Jamestown L.P., which owns Alameda (Calif.) South Shore Center, said that Go! Calendars/Go! Games has signed a four-month lease for a 2,356-sq. ft. space, beginning Oct. 1.

The company operates a year-round online store, but opens approximately 1,000 storefronts in malls during the holiday season.

The 594,000-sq.-ft., open-air Alameda South Shore Center offers a pop-up leasing strategy to accommodate temporary tenants, including Go! Calendars/Go! Games and, most recently, Pedal Beach, a beach rental and supply store.

New York -- The TJX Cos. turned in the strongest performance among the discounters in October, reporting a 7% comp sales increase on Thursday.

According to TJX CEO Carol Meyrowitz, the above-plan performance has prompted the retailer to raise its outlook for the third quarter and full year. “We believe the momentum we are seeing in all of our businesses … bode well for the holiday selling season,” she said.

TJX sales for the period advanced 11% to $2.1 billion.

PLANO, Texas — JCPenney has added limited-engagement collections from Lulu by Lulu Guinness, Jenny Packham and Double Happiness Vivienne Tam to its holiday assortment.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings announced that both Sears and Kmart stores will be open on Thanksgiving Day. The company said its made the decision based in part on feedback from members of its Shop Your Way loyalty program, who sought more flexible Black Friday in-store shopping times and eagerness to shop doorbuster deals.

New York -- As the holidays approach and retailers are still recovering from Hurricane Sandy, October same-store sales results showcased consistent strength in the department store category.

Nordstrom led the pack with a 9.8% rise in same-store sales for the month, and Macy’s Inc. had a solid showing as well.