Mass Merchant

Indianapolis -- The calendar may read August, but Hhgregg is already looking to firm up its holiday hiring.

The appliance, electronics and furniture retailer announced it is hiring 550 full-time and part-time in-store sales associates. As the holiday shopping season continues to tiptoe earlier into the calendar year, Hhgregg said it is looking to have their stores fully staffed and associates trained and ready to greet shoppers getting a jump on the holiday rush.

New York -- Target Corp. is going interactive on the pages of Vogue’s September issue.

The discounter will run an advertising campaign in Vogue that utilizes Shazam’s new visual-recognition technology and makes print ads shoppable through a consumer’s smartphone, the New York Times reported.

Some 100 Target products appear in the company’s Vogue ads, with roughly 30 available to buy using “shop now” buttons on the Shazam-enabled online site, according to the report.

With New York Fashion Week right around the corner, Macy's is planning a catwalk show of its own to close out the biggest fashion week of the year.

The retailer announced that it will host “Macy’s Presents Fashion’s Front Row” on Sept. 17 in New York City, featuring celebrities, musical acts and a runway show. 

A familiar face has returned to lead Dollar General’s merchandising organization following the departure of David D’Arezzo who leaves the 12,000 unit retailer after serving as chief merchandising officer for 20 months.

Washington, D.C. — Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 3.6% in August 2015 from the same month in 2014 as retailers begin to bring in merchandise for the holiday season. According to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates, imports for the year are expected to be up 4.2% from 2014.

As kids prepare to head back to school this fall, the Walmart foundation is furthering its commitment to increase access to food and nutrition education for children with a whopping donation.

The retailer is making a $10.5 million donation to four national nonprofits implementing school meals programs.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. — A familiar face has returned to head up merchandising at Dollar General.

Dollar General said James W. “Jim” Thorpe had rejoined the company as executive VP and chief merchandising officer, effective immediately. Thorpe previously served as Dollar General’s senior vice president and general merchandise manager from May 2006 until he retired in July 2012. 

Batavia, Ill. – Aldi wants you – if you are someone looking for a store-level retail job.

The rapidly growing discount supermarket retailer will host hiring events throughout the U.S. during the month of August for more than 2,500 positions.