Seasonal

Washington, D.C. -- With most holiday season merchandise already on its way to store shelves, import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports has started to decline for the fall, and November is forecast at 1.9% below the same month last year, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released Tuesday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

Reston, Va. -- Online retail spending reached $36.3 billion for the third quarter of 2911, up 13% versus year ago, according to comScore. This growth rate represented the eighth consecutive quarter of positive year-over-year growth and fourth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth rates.

SALISBURY, N.C. — In honor of Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 11, Food Lion, Harveys and Reid's stores will offer a 10% discount to active and retired military personnel to show their support and appreciation for those who are currently serving or have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, the retailers, which are part of Delhaize Group, reported.  To receive the discount, active military, reservists and veterans should request the discount at check-out along with their MVP card.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target announced that it  has partnered with fashion and music icon Gwen Stefani to create Harajuku Mini for Target, an exclusive collection featuring apparel and accessories for girl and boy infants and toddlers and tween girls. The first installment of this collection will be available beginning Nov. 13 at Target stores.

New York City -- U.S. households are expected to spend an average of $497 on gifts this holiday season, The Conference Board reported. Only 7% of consumers said they plan to spend more on holiday gifts this year, while approximately 49% plan on spending less than last year.

The survey of holiday gift spending intentions, based on a probability-design random sample, is conducted for The Conference Board by Nielsen. It was conducted in October. 

Chicago -- Results of a survey released Wednesday by BDO USA found that chief marketing officers at leading U.S. retailers expect a modest 2.9% increase in total holiday sales this year.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club announced that it is inviting customers to "try before they buy" and plan their holiday menus at the ninth annual Holiday Taste of Sam's Club event. Showcasing dozens of food and beverage items at multiple sampling booths in each of its 610 Sam's Club locations, the event takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day from Friday Nov. 18 through Sunday Nov. 20.

WASHINGTON — A report released Tuesday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates said that import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports has started to decline for the fall, and November is forecast at 1.9% below the same month last year.

The decrease is attributed to the fact that most retailers already have their holiday season merchandise either on their shelves or en route to their stores.