Walmart

ROGERS, Ark. -- Former Walmart executive Jack Shewmaker passed away Wednesday evening. He was 72.

Shewmaker began his career at Walmart in 1970 and rose steadily through the ranks of the company, serving in numerous capacities, including district manager; VP security (now known as loss prevention); VP store operations; EVP store operations, personnel and merchandise; CFO; and president and COO. Shewmaker retired from the company in1988, but continued as a member of Walmart’s board of directors.

Bentonville , Ark. -- Walmart announced that most of its stores will open their doors at midnight on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Starting at 12 a.m. on Nov. 26, shoppers can head to the Walmart Open House for big savings on popular toys, apparel and home goods, the company reported. Then, beginning at 5 a.m., Walmart said it will kick off its electronics event, including discounted prices on HDTVs, laptops, gaming systems and cameras.

Beachwood, Ohio -- Developers Diversified Realty Corp. announced that the company's joint venture in Brazil, Sonae Sierra Brasil, has opened a nearly 60,000-sq.-ft. expansion at Parque Dom Pedro Shopping, now a 1.3 million-sq.-ft. enclosed mall in Campinas, Brazil.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Heating up the holiday retailing war, Wal-Mart Stores announced Thursday that it will offer free shipping on nearly 60,000 online items -- with no minimum purchase requirement.

Wal-Mart's free shipping offer, which includes most electronics, jewelry and toys, will run through Dec. 20.

According to Steve Nave, senior VP and general manager of Walmart.com, Walmart is trying to help its cost-conscious shoppers "save money so they can bring home more for less this holiday season."