Walmart

Lifetime Brands, a leading global provider of branded kitchenware, tableware and other products used in the home, is seeing the results of its aggressive growth strategy — which included the acquisition of four businesses during the period — in the first quarter ended March 31.

Consolidated net sales for the quarter were $118.4 million, soaring 20% from $98.7 million for the corresponding period in 2013.

There is no substitute for a strong brand — whatever the sales channel. That’s the basic underlying premise of Interbrand’s annual “Best Retail Brands” report, which ranks the top 50 North American and international retailers by brand value. It’s a premise worth keeping in mind amid all the online versus offline talk. As Interbrand global CEO Jez Frampton puts it: “In the end, it is the brand, not the footprint, that will endure.”

Despite what president and CEO Ajay Banga called a “mixed global economy,” MasterCard Incorporated kicked off the year with a strong quarter.

The company reported net income of $870 million, up 14%, and earnings per diluted share of $0.73, up 18%, in each case versus the year-ago period.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart is working with Autoinsurance.com to offer customers in Arkanas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas an auto insurance comparison service. AutoInsurance.com provides customers with multiple quotes from national insurance carriers including Progressive, Esurance, Safeco, The General and others within minutes.

Wal-Mart plans to offer the service nationwide in the coming months. The launch of this service stems from a successful pilot that took place in Pennsylvania during 2013.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart on Tuesday joined with CEOs from more than a dozen global companies to sign new commitments that accelerate innovation in sustainable agriculture and recycling. The pledges kicked off Walmart’s first-ever Sustainable Product Expo, a three-day collaboration to expand the availability of products that sustain people and the environment. Together, the participating suppliers represent more than $100 billion in sales at Walmart.

Walmart has gathered CEOs from more than a dozen global companies to sign new commitments that accelerate innovation in sustainable agriculture and recycling. The pledges kicked off Walmart’s inaugural Sustainable Product Expo, a three-day collaboration to expand the availability of products that sustain people and the environment.

Together, the participating suppliers represent more than $100 billion in sales at Walmart.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. incurred a net loss of $151 million in the process of ending its partnership with former Indian partner Bharti Enterprises. According to Wal-Mart financial statements, in October 2013 the retailer paid $100 million for Bharti’s 50% interest in Bharti Wal-Mart Pvt. Ltd., which operates 20 wholesale stores in India.

Kimberly-Clark has teamed up with Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Christina Milian to launch an integrated Celebrate Family UNity ("FUN") platform that leverages social media to not only retain existing consumers but also to reach out to new ones.

An integral part of the program is the Family UNity ("FUN") Song web app where families can customize their own "FUN song," share it on social media and download it as a ringtone.