Seasonal

New York -- Survey results unveiled Thursday by online coupon site RetailMeNot.com and Ipsos Public Affairs found that  an overwhelming number of consumers think the economy is in dire straits. As well, this pessimistic group is shoppers to adjust their holiday consumption behaviors and shop earlier this year.  

Specific findings of the report include:

The marketing team at Jack Link’s Beef Jerky has outdone themselves with a clever and lighthearted brand-building effort that plays off the presidential election. The company is asking consumers to vote for their favorite “meathead,” a two-foot-by-three-foot likeness of president Barack Obama and challenger Mitt Romney made from various types of jerky.

NEW YORK — Revlon, along with its Global Artistic Director Gucci Westman, will co-host the ultimate "glam" party during New York’s Fashion’s Night Out on Sept. 6 to celebrate Revlon’s 80 years as a beauty icon.
 

NEW YORK — Stacy London, host of TLC's "What Not To Wear," will serve has host during New York & Company's Fashion's Night Out event on Sept. 6.

The retailer's participation in the event will include an in-store DJ at its 58th & Lexington Store, who will spin music while London and her team help style customers.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart announced it is bringing back layaway a month early this holiday season. The program will be available nationwide Sept. 16 through Dec. 14.

“Last year, millions of Americans relied on layaway at Walmart to provide a great Christmas for their families. Because of their feedback, we're offering the service again this year and making it better than ever," said Duncan Mac Naughton, chief merchandising and marketing officer, Walmart U.S.

NEW YORK — Customers who shop at Macy's and Macys.com on Aug. 25 can feel extra good, as the money raised during this charity shopping event will help support March of Dimes, a leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health.

Walmart will offer its holiday layaway 30 days earlier this year and extend the program to more product categories, the company announced Monday.

Sales for the second quarter ended July 28 increased 10.5% to $1.7 billion thanks to a 4.5% increases in same store sales and the addition of 77 new Dollar Tree stores, the company announced Thursday. Net income increased 25.6% to $119.2 million and earnings per share increased 30.8% to 51 cents. The profit performance met analysts’ estimates, but guidance for the third quarter in the range of 47 cents to 51 cents was a penny less than the 52 cents Wall Street expected and shares of the company sold off sharply after the earnings report.