Retail

Los Angeles – Almost seven-in-10 (66%) shoppers feel retailers will offer better prices and discounts this year due to the current state of the economy. The new Winter Holiday Shopping Survey from PriceGrabber also shows that 21% of holiday shoppers said they started saving money before June, while the majority of survey respondents plan to start shopping for the holidays in October and November.

Los Angeles – CharmingCharlie relaunches its e-commerce site today. Enhanced features on Charmingcharlie.com include: a new approach to '”Shop by Color,” product filtering, improved product descriptions and social sharing, among others.

Sequential Brands Group has entered into five new license agreements to expand the Caribbean Joe brand and has extended the terms of its agreements with three current partners. With five new partnerships, this brings the total list of Caribbean Joe licensees to 25.
 

Oak Brook, Ill. – McDonald’s Corporation reported positive financial results during the third quarter of fiscal 2013. The retailer’s net income grew 5% from the third quarter of the previous fiscal year, rising to $1.52 billion from $1.45 billion.

Boca Raton, Fla. - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is reportedly set to approve the proposed merger between Office Depot and OfficeMax after concluding it will not significantly affect competition in the office retailing space. According to multiple press reports, the deal will go through without either company having to divest any holdings.

Target is enlisting Jonna Mendez, a former CIA officer, who will serve as a “Kids’ Gift Detective.” Inspired by her years of CIA experience, Mendez will offer online tips and techniques via a video series at ABullseyeView.com where she works with popular mom bloggers.
 
In addition, Target will offer a dedicated kids’ gifts page on its website and will launch a digital gift catalog in early November.
 

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Following the lead of rivals Macy’s and J.C. Penney, Kohl’s Department Stores announced it will open its doors at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day,  kicking off its Black Friday event earlier than ever.  

Stores will be open for 28 hours straight – from 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 28 through midnight Friday nationwide.

Salt Lake City – Supply chain technology vendor Park City Group has named Gary Rocheleau, a 40-year retail industry veteran who most recently served as VP of retail marketing execution for Safeway subsidiary Vons Pavilions, as senior advisor.

Other previous roles Rocheleau has held include president of Grocery Works, Safeway’s home shopping and delivery company. He began his career with Lucky Stores, Inc., where he spent nearly 23 years and his last position was VP of grocery.