Sales & Marketing

New York -- Retailers and manufacturers targeting Gen X and Y shoppers this holiday season should introduce more transparency into their product labels and identify fair trade, conflict-free and environmentally friendly practices. Results of a new survey by KPMG LLP reveal that nearly 70% of consumers younger than age 30 consider social issues such as sustainability, human rights and fair trade before making a purchase. This outpaces the less than 50% of consumers overall who feel the same way.

The American Wholesale Marketers Association announced that sociologist and women's work expert Marianne Cooper will be the keynote speaker at the AWMA Women's Leadership Initiative Kickoff Breakfast, to be held on Feb. 27 at the 2014 AWMA Marketplace and Solutions Expo in Las Vegas.

Ankeny, Iowa – Casey’s General Stores’ net income rose more than 24% during the second quarter of fiscal 2014, to $41.3 million from $32.8 million. The company also boosted revenue 5% to $2.01 billion from $1.91 billion.

Jared is launching its "12 Days of Giveaways" sweepstakes for Facebook fans and Twitter followers now through Dec. 13. The campaign, introduced last year, gives customers the chance to enter to win daily prizes featuring brands available at Jared.

Akron, Ohio – Jared, The Galleria Of Jewelry is launching its "12 Days of Giveaways" sweepstakes for Facebook fans and Twitter followers now through Dec. 13. The campaign, introduced last year, gives customers the chance to enter to win daily prizes featuring brands available at Jared.
 

Office Depot has chosen Boca Raton, Fla., for its global headquarters.

The company took several factors into account, including the cost to operate each headquarters location, lease obligations and sublease considerations, tax implications, government incentives, ability to add associates and incorporate functions in the current space, and people-related costs.

Seattle -- REI will open a store in Fairbanks, Alaska, in the spring of 2014.

The 30,000-sq.-ft. store will house a bike shop, and ski and snowboard shop offering assembly and repair services, and host free in-store classes.

"Whether hiking, skiing or practicing yoga, Alaskans are some of the most active people in the country," said Kevin Golic, REI retail director for the Washington and Alaska district.

REI has a long history in Alaska, dating back to its store in Anchorage, opened in 1979.

San Francisco -- Shopper traffic and window conversion improved significantly as heavy promotions brought shoppers back out to the mall. According to analysis of nearly 25 million domestic shopping sessions during November 2013 by in-store analytics provider Euclid, average visit durations were shorter than a year ago for the fourth month in a row as the increasingly omni-channel marketplace continued to drive more focused shopping trips.