Seasonal

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.