Seasonal

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. said Tuesday that it completed the $270 million sale of 11 full-line Sears store locations to General Growth Properties.

Sears said the stores will continue to operate as Sears locations into 2013 or 2014, with final closing dates to be announced later this year. The stores are in Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Washington.

Sears announced in December it would close between 100 and 120 stores to raise cash after a disappointing holiday season.
 

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — In honor of Earth Day, Sears Holdings is currently offering several discounts and product promotions designed to help customers improve their environmental performance. These include up to 25% off all Energy Star qualified appliances at Sears plus up to 25% off all dryers plus extra 5% off all appliances with your Sears card through April 19.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. will celebrate Earth Day by distributing 1.5 million reusable bags in all of its stores on April 22.

In addition, Target will offer guests simple, sustainable solutions and more than $50 in savings on sustainable products throughout April in our stores and via a limited-time website. The retailer also will partner with Recyclebank, an organization that promotes sustainable decisions by allowing individuals to earn rewards for actions like recycling and reducing water use.

ABILENE, Kan. — Duckwall-ALCO Stores fourth-quarter net sales increased 1% to $137.5 million, compared with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. Same-store sales, excluding fuel center sales, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 decreased 0.6% to $133.4 million, compared with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. Net sales from continuing operations for fiscal year 2012 increased 4.4% to $482.8 million, compared with fiscal year 2011. Same-store sales, excluding fuel center sales, for fiscal year 2012 increased 3.0% to $467.7 million.

Reacting quickly to an early spring, Brentwood, Tenn.-based Tractor Supply Co. said its first-quarter sales increased 22% to $1.02 billion.

Same-store sales for the quarter increased 11.5%. The country’s largest farm-and-ranch retailer, which will release its full first-quarter earnings results April 25, said the same-store sales increase was driven, in part, by early spring weather in 2012.

Hingham, Mass. -- Talbots Inc.’s fourth-quarter loss widened to $53.2 million for the period ended Jan. 28, not as bad as analysts expected, compared to a loss  of $2.8 million in the year ago. Its results were pressured by restructuring and executive retirement costs, as well as increased mark-downs and promotions. The chain also forecast first-quarter revenue that missed analysts' expectations. Revenue for the quarter slipped 1% to $289.4 million from $292.6 million, but beat Wall Street's estimate of $267.9 million. Same-store sales were flat.

ABILENE, Kan. — Duckwall-ALCO Stores fourth-quarter net sales increased1% to $137.5 million, compared with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. Same-store sales, excluding fuel center sales, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 decreased 0.6% to $133.4 million, compared with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. Net sales from continuing operations for fiscal year 2012 increased 4.4% to $482.8 million, compared with fiscal year 2011. Same-store sales, excluding fuel center sales, for fiscal year 2012 increased 3.0% to $467.7 million.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — American Greetings is launching a new line of cards featuring designs from noted artist Mary Engelbreit later this year as part of an ongoing collaboration. The greetings will be included in seasonal programs beginning this Halloween and sprinkled across everyday programs by the end of the year.