Mass Merchant

WAYNE, N.J.  — Toys"R"Us, Nickelodeon and Playmates Toys have a potential cash cow on their hands with the revamped "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" CG-animated series and corresponding line of action figures, vehicles, role play items and playsets. The series premieres Saturday, Sept. 29, at 11:00 a.m. (ET/PT) with a one-hour special event. The toys, developed by Playmates, is available in stores and online.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — For the second quarter, Mattel reported net income of $96.2 million, or 28 cents per share, compared with last year’s second quarter net income of $80.5 million, or 23 cents per share.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart became one of the first retailers to offer a reloadable prepaid card requiring no initial charge to load funds with the launch of its new Halogen Reloadable Prepaid MasterCard offered by Green Dot. In addition to the no charge for loading funds, the card offers free ATM withdrawals from network ATMs, and is available with no bank account, credit check or minimum balance required.

Kmart shoppers can avoid a $3.95 activation fee when they sign up online for the retailer’s new reloadable, prepaid MasterCard, but those who do so will need to remain vigilant to avoid other fees.

Michael Williams has joined Jackson Hewitt, the nation’s second largest tax preparation firm, as SVP and chief marketing officer.

Williams joins the tax service provider following a tax season in which the firm saw its relationship with Walmart expand to 2,800 in-store locations from 2,000 locations the prior year.

School supplies manufacturer It’s Academic announced a new partnership the manufacturer of a vanishing grid line technology.

Family Dollar is growing like a weed. To see why, click here.
 

WASHINGTON — U.S. retail sales declined during the month of June, the Census Bureau reported Tuesday.

U.S. retail and food services sales for the month, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $401.5 billion, an decrease of 0.5% from the previous month but 3.8% above the year-ago period. Retail trade sales were down 0.5% from last month but 3.5% above last year.