Retail

Staples has launched an online ink and toner recycling program. The online program is an expansion of the existing, in-store Staples Rewards ink and toner recycling program.

The online program enables Staples Rewards members to recycle empty ink and toner cartridges by printing a pre-paid shipping label to send their cartridges in for recycling and receive $2 back in Staples Rewards for each one

Bucking a retail industry trend this year, Sam’s Club won’t be open on Thanksgiving Day and on Black Friday it won’t open until 7 a.m. Instead, Sam’s is throwing some new promotional wrinkles at members and non-members including, “Sam’s Sunday,” event to drive sales.

Thanksgiving holiday sales are not getting much social promotion this year from retailers. According to an analysis of 494 brand posts from eight retailers by social software company Expion, only 10 focused on Thanksgiving holiday sales (Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, Cyber Monday), or just 2% of all brand posts, and only five of the eight retailers posted about holiday sales.

Despite the growing popularity of online shopping, millions of consumers will flock to the stores this Black Friday. According to a recent study from WD Partners, "Amazon Can't Do That: Consumer Desire & the Store of the Future,” 79% of consumers rank instant ownership as a top factor in influencing how they shop.

Other store-friendly top influencers include sensory experience and product immersion (75%), emotional experience of interacting with live human beings, community, and personal service.

PetSmart’s third quarter results benefited from consumers who continue spending money on their pets despite a still-challenging consumer environment.

The company’s earnings per share jumped 17.3% to $0.88 from $0.75 in the third quarter of 2012. Net income totaled $92 million for the quarter, compared to $82 million in last year’s third quarter.

Sporting two wind turbines, nearly 850 solar panels and a geothermal system burrowed 550 ft. into the ground, Walgreens celebrated the official opening of what the retailer believes to be the nation’s first net-zero energy retail store, anticipated to produce energy equal to or greater than it consumes.

In keeping with the new holiday tradition of revealing promotions early, Walmart on Friday shared its range of extreme value items and free shipping offers and pushed the start of Cyber Monday to Saturday, November 30.

The headliner deal is a LG brand 55 inch, 3D LED television with a sound bar for $799 along with 200 other online specials that will last through Friday, December 6. Walmart also reduced its free shipping threshold to $35 from $50.

Harley-Davidson is looking to drive holiday sales by leveraging the power of Pinterest to promote its new online holiday gift guide.