Home Improvement

Durham, N.C. -- When Walmart Neighborhood Market in Mt. Pleasant, Wis., opens later this year, it will join the small but growing ranks of stores that are lit entirely with LEDs. The chain is installing LED technology from Cree, including more than 400 linear luminaires (CS18), for illumination – from the sales floor and pharmacy to restrooms, vestibules and backroom areas. Cree LED lighting will also be installed in the parking lot and exterior areas of the store.
 

NEW YORK — Energizer is set to launch a new portfolio of lighting products this spring, the New York Times "Gadgetwise" blog reported today. The new line is expected to hit Target shelves in late March, followed by other mass merchandisers later on.

Stanley Black & Decker said it completed its acquisition of Infastech, a global manufacturer and distributor of specialty engineered fastening technologies.

Stanley paid $850 million in cash for the Hong Kong-based company. The transaction was originally announced on July 2, 2012. 

Infastech’s annual revenues are about $580 million. 

Kapolei, Hawaii -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced Wednesday that, together with SunEdison, it has completed new solar power installations at three Walmart stores in Kahului, Kailua-Kona and Kapolei, Hawaii, doubling the total number of stores in Hawaii powered by renewable solar energy.

The installations contribute to Wal-Mart’s objective of being supplied 100% by renewable energy. Similar installations are already in operation atop the Honolulu Sam's Club and Mililani Walmart on Oahu, and the Lihue Walmart on Kauai.

Toronto -- Sears Canada Inc. reported Wednesday that profit for the fourth quarter dipped 3% to $38.8 million on weakened hardware and electronics sales.

Revenue fell 5% to$1.25 billion in the period, and same-store sales dropped 3.8%.

Parent Sears Holdings Corp., which cut its stake in Sears Canada from 90% to 51% last year, said in January that Sears Canada's fourth quarter adjusted earnings would fall by about half.

NEW YORK — Sun Products' All Mighty Pacs laundry packs, Aquafresh Extreme Clean Pure Breath Action Paste, M&M's Brand Snack Mix, Reckitt Benckiser's Resolve All-Stains, Sun Products' Surf Liquid Laundry Detergent and GlaxoSmithKline's Tums Freshers were among the winners of Product of the Year USA's recently announced top products for 2013, the group said.

The named products were the result of a vote among 50,000 consumers.

PROVO, Utah — Target strengthened its sustainability rep recently with the addition of EcoScraps, a provider of organic, chemical- and manure-free lawn and garden products, to its lineup. The sustainable, 100% organic, potting soil is now available at more than 1,700 Target stores nationwide. This marks the first time that EcoScraps will appear on the shelves of a major retailer at the national level.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe's Co. reported fourth quarter profits that topped Wall Street estimates, helped rebuilding efforts in the wake of Hurricane Sandy and general remodeling activity. The retailer also said it authorized a new $5 billion share buyback program that it expects to use in the next two year