Sales & Marketing

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.

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.

UNION BEACH, N.J. — In partnership with the American Red Cross, beginning Nov. 6, the P&G Mobile Relief Center will be stationed in Union Beach, N.J., to provide showers, personal care kits, household products — including Bounty, Charmin, Tide and Dawn — and baby products, including Pampers diapers and wipes, to victims of Hurricane Sandy, Procter & Gamble announced Monday. This service will be free to all victims, responders and their families.

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.

CHICAGO — OfficeMax has named Kim Feil as EVP and chief marketing and strategy officer, effective Nov. 12. Feil will report to Ravi Saligram, president and CEO of OfficeMax, and will have accountability for all aspects of marketing across the enterprise, with particular emphasis on brand management and evolution of the company's traditional marketing vehicles to new media including digital and social.

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.

Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS Caremark Corp. reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended Sept. 30 jumped 16% to $1.01 billion, compared with $868 million in the year-ago period. Results were boosted by a 13.3% increase in revenue to $30.2 billion, which edged Wall Street’s forecast of $30.09 billion in revenue.

Drugstore revenue rose 5.5% to $15.5 billion, and same-store sales climbed 4.3%, helped by the influx of Walgreens customer who switched to CVS during the split between Walgreen Co and Express Scripts Holding Co.

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: