Mass Merchant

New York -- According to a Monday report by Reuters, Staples will install Amazon lockers inside its U.S. stores, providing consumers an alternative location to receive packages from the online retailer.

According to the report, customers are sent an email code with a pickup code for opening the locker. Shoppers then have three days to retrieve the package.

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.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot Inc. reported Tuesday a loss of $61.9 million for the third quarter, compared with net income of $100.9 million in the same period last year. Results still edged analysts’ expectations.

Revenue dropped 5.1% to $2.69 billion, missing Wall Street’s expected $2.89 billion revenue mark.

Revenue for the office supply chain has fallen for the past three quarters.

Atlanta -- Shapewear hosiery marketer Spanx has opened its first standalone location, a 1,200-sq.-ft. store in Tysons Corner Center in McLean, Va.

"With a growing product collection and fan base, our own dedicated space was inevitable,” said Spanx CEO Laurie Ann Goldman.

Two additional stores are set to open this fall, in King of Prussia, Pa., and Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus, N.J.

Third quarter sales at OfficeMax declined 1.7% to $1.74 billion and same store sales dropped 2.1% due to weak demand for office products.

By Bill Martin, ShopperTrak Founder

The ShopperTrak holiday forecast for increased sales and foot traffic should encourage retailers. Our analysis suggests the 38 shopping days between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve — coupled with two “extra” weekends — will contribute to a strong shopping season.

To recap the forecast:

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc. is donating more than $1 million to help victims of Hurricane Sandy, which struck the East Coast earlier this week and caused widespread damage and destruction.

Upon the request of the American Red Cross, Gap Inc. will donate more than $250,000 worth of clothing, which will be distributed tomorrow in New Jersey, one of the areas hit the hardest by this week’s superstorm. In addition, the company will donate $750,000 cash to provide critical help and necessities for those in affected areas.

New York -- Office Depot has been recognized in Newsweek magazine’s annual Green Rankings as the number one greenest large retailer in the United States for the third consecutive year. Across all industry sectors, Office Depot was ranked as America’s ninth greenest large company.

Here is Newsweek’s ranking of the 15 greenest U.S. retailers: