Walmart

Walmart’s SVP of Home Michelle Gloeckler may not have been among those on stage at the retailer’s domestic sourcing summit, but she is the one leading the execution of massive initiative.

Walmart displayed a powerful commitment to revitalizing U.S. manufacturing this week when the company convened its first ever domestic sourcing summit.

Not only was the event a first for Walmart, it was also unlike anything the retail industry has ever seen. Roughly 1,500 supplier company representatives, government and economic development officials, Walmart’s top executives and dozens of senior merchants participated in the three hour summit held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

ST. PAUL, MINN. — Ace Brand from 3M Company has launched Ace Brand Sports Medicine Products, marking the brand’s expansion into the sporting goods category. 

As part of the launch, Ace Brand has partnered with Little League Baseball and Softball, the world’s largest youth sports organization, to support youth athletes nationwide. 

WAYNE, N.J. — It may be August, but Toys"R"Us is getting a jump on the holiday season. The retailer is expanding its price match guarantee on items available at its Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us stores nationwide to include selected online retailer pricing. 

ORLANDO — Walmart is kicking off its official start to the holiday season Friday, Sept. 13, with a no-fee layaway program.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart will offer customers free layaway with no opening fee for the holidays. The program will run Sept. 13 through Dec. 13, but the chain’s Facebook fans will have a two-day head start this year with access to layaway on Sept. 11 and Sept. 12.

Eligible layaway items include electronics, toys, jewelry, small appliances and select sporting goods. And new in 2013 are infant toys and automotive electronics such as speakers and stereos.

New York -- Walmart is expanding its omni-channel integration by testing the use of lockers to fill online orders, company officials said during the chain’s second-quarter earnings call on Thursday.

“While this test is still in the early stages, the initial read on customer satisfaction and acceptance is very encouraging, with 90% of the customers who have used the service providing positive feedback,” Walmart U.S. CEO Bill Simon said during the call.

While second quarter sales were less than expected, one area where Walmart exceeded plan was expenses incurred related to Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and compliance matters.

The company said it spent $82 million on efforts in those areas compared to the $65 million to $70 million it though it would spend at the start of the year. Expenses during the first half of the year totaled $155 million.