Walmart

New York -- Analysis has uncovered a 46% increase in social networking referrals to top 500 retail websites during the most critical week of the year, just one of four key trends identified in a report by Experian Marketing Services.

The 2013 holiday marketing analysis from the holiday shopping season's peak week, the period beginning Thanksgiving and ending on Cyber Monday, cited the following four trends:

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart India is laying off roughly 100-150 senior to mid-level employees. The Financial Press quotes anonymous executives as saying Wal-Mart India, which currently employs about 1,100 workers, beefed up staffing in anticipation of an expansion that has now been put on hold.

Wal-Mart runs 20 wholesale stores in India. The retailer previously ran them in a joint venture with Indian company Bharti Enterprises, but since that partnership was dissolved in October 2013 Wal-Mart India has been taking on Bharti employees.

Walmart’s ad match policy states that if its customers find an item at another store at a lower price, it will honor the lower price. In fact, the retailer is currently touting its Christmas ad match policy, which covers electronics, toys and grocery produce.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores has named a new president and CEO of its Indian operations. According to multiple media reports, Krish Iyler, who has been a senior VP in Wal-Mart’s international unit since January 2013, will assume his new role on Jan. 20. 2014.

Walmart has appointed Krish Iyer president and CEO of Walmart India, effective Jan. 20, 2014. He will report to Scott Price, president of Walmart Asia.

So far 20 states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws permitting and regulating the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Colorado and Washington have gone further and legalized the recreational use of marijuana. Moreover, Americans’ tolerance for the legalization of marijuana is increasing. An October 2013 Gallup poll showed that 58% of Americans favor legalizing marijuana.

What does this trend mean for retailers, especially those operating in multiple states? The answer is complex, as the law is evolving.

Last week Walmart made headlines when it opened two stores in Washington D.C., drawing a small group of protestors and countless customers. But it seems like these Walmart locations are not quite like the others. BuzzFeed compiled a list of 19 things that make D.C.’s first Walmart stores stand out from the rest.

Click here to read the list.

Walmart declared an early Black Friday victory and reported record Cyber Monday sales, but the big box retailer is not done yet. Starting at 8 a.m. Friday, it is launching its Christmas Countdown Savings Event and dropping prices on popular toys, electronics, apparel and table games.

With only 12 days to shop before Christmas, the strategy aims to drive last-minute shoppers to both its stores and e-commerce site.