Mass Merchant

NEENAH, Wis. — Menasha Packaging on Wednesday announced receipt of two awards as part of the 69th annual National Paperboard Packaging Competition.

“Innovation and efficiency are cornerstones of the work we do every day at Menasha Packaging, so it is an honor to win these awards and be recognized by a panel of industry leaders,” stated James Snyder, general manager of Menasha Packaging’s Folding Carton facility, who accepted the award on behalf of Menasha Packaging.

Reston, Va. -- Online retail spending in the United States reached $41.9 billion in the third quarter, up 15% versus year ago, according to comScore. This represents the twelfth consecutive quarter of positive year-over-year growth and eighth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings is touting its affordable and exclusive lines from and partnerships with celebrity designers Sandra Lee, Jaclyn Smith and Ty Pennington to give it an edge this holiday season.

Kmart, along with Sandra Lee and Jaclyn Smith, is inviting consumers to "decorate it forward" -- spread holiday cheer by sharing the gift of decorating and entertaining with family, friends and those in need. Decorating tips and inspiration to help others can be found www.kmart.com/DecorateItForward.

By Jason Hamilton, [email protected]

CINCINNATI — Macy’s Inc. is well positioned for strong holiday season as it continue to report quarterly sales and earnings growth.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what the media thinks is the “next big thing” in our industry. It seems like everywhere I look, there’s another article about new mobile shopping initiatives and retail-related smartphone apps.

Total U.S. shopper traffic in retail stores and malls for October 2012

Columbus Day and Halloween have historically brought more shoppers to stores in October. This year, however, the month saw a 4.1% decrease in retail foot traffic compared with September. October 2012 did manage to narrowly continue a trend of year-over-year improvements by posting a 1.4% increase in retail foot traffic when compared to the same month last year.

TORONTO — Ahead of its 2013 debut, Target is building its presence in Canada with a new partnership with the Toronto Fashion Incubator for the annual TFI New Labels Fashion Design competition celebrating and supporting up and coming Canadian designers. 

The winner will receive $25,000 and the chance to create an exclusive collection to be sold in Target stores across Canada in 2014.