Seasonal

Washington, D.C. -- Tuesday’s report by the U.S. Department of Commerce showed a fifth straight month of sales gains in November for U.S. retailers. Monthly retail sales figures for November were up 0.8% over October and 7.7% over November 2009.

Retail sales excluding auto sales were up 1.2% over the previous month and 6.7% over November 2009.

Department stores were the big November winners, recording the biggest sales rise in two years of 2.8%.

Addison, Texas -- Coyote Management, LP and Garrison Investment Group, through their affiliates, announced they acquired Decatur Mall, in Decatur, Ala., and Lakeshore Mall, in Gainesville, Ga., in September and have made enhancements and changes to the properties.

A new corporate ad campaign for both malls was launched Nov. 1, and each mall has added a Customer Service Center, a new MasterCard gift-card program, children’s stroller program, new website and social media.

According to The NPD Group, 49% of respondents surveyed on holiday entertaining plans said they plan to entertain family or friends in their home during the upcoming holiday season. Furthermore, casual dinnerware sales growth in the double digits in the past 12 months ending September 2010 show that the trend is toward less formal dining. Sales in the formal fine dinnerware segment remain down year-over-year.

Thirty-two percent of respondents told NPD that they entertained at their home less over the past year than in previous years, however, 11% said they entertained more.

Cincinnati -- A survey released Monday by Convergys said that many consumers have yet to complete their holiday shopping -- and many of those will do that shopping online.

According to Convergys’ 2010 Holiday Shopping Season Research, which polled 500+ consumers on their holiday shopping plans; 18% of consumers have already completed their holiday shopping; but 27% have not yet started; and 50% are only half done.

Reston, Va. - comScore reported holiday season retail e-commerce spending for the first 40 days of the November – December 2010 holiday season at more than $21.95 billion, up 12%  versus the corresponding days last year. The most recent week (week ending Dec. 10) reached $5.15 billion in spending, an increase of 11% versus the corresponding week last year, as two individual days each surpassed $900 million.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Grand Rapids-based Spartan Stores has announced the introduction of its new Michigan-made Indulgent Creations premium ice cream. Four Indulgent Creations will be available year round through Spartan Stores D&W Fresh Market, Family Fare, Felpausch, Glen's Market, and VG's Stores, as well as through nearly 400 independent stores in Michigan and Northern Indiana selling Spartan Stores brand products.  The four core flavors include: Double Vanilla, Toasted Butter Pecan, Mint Chip, and Double Dark Chocolate.  

AUSTIN, Texas - Whole Foods Market announced that it is offering free overseas shipping of its holiday gift boxes to APO, FPO and DPO addresses.

Available only at www.wholefoodsmarket.com/giftbox, Whole Foods Market offers five different gift boxes that range from $40 to $60 each. 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Marketing communications firm Duffy & Shanley has been hired by Staples to manage its 2010 public relations efforts for the holiday shopping season. 

For the last two years, Duffy & Shanley said it has worked with Staples on its holiday marketing and public relations efforts in some capacity.