Sales & Marketing

Los Angeles -- Survey results released Tuesday by online shopping site PriceGrabber found that 88% of shoppers plan to research their holiday gift purchases in advance to find the best deals.

Of those, 38% plan to spend three to six hours researching holiday gift purchases, 29% plan to spend up to two hours, 19% said they plan to spend over 10 hours and 14% indicated between seven and 10 hours.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Hy-Vee is showing its commitment to health by joining the efforts to make its home state of Iowa the healthiest in the nation.

More than 100 Hy-Vee stores will take part in the second Healthiest State Walk on Oct. 3.

Philadelphia -- Charter Realty & Development said that it has arranged for a 9,887-sq.-ft. lease for Planet Fitness in the Mayfair Shopping Center in Philadelphia.

The shopping center is anchored by, Shop N Bag, Dollar Tree and Wells Fargo.
 

Chicago -- An online grocery delivery service is launching "virtual grocery stores" at commuter rail stations across the country.

Peapod.com, owned by the U.S. subsidiary of Dutch supermarket operator Royal Ahold, announced it would launch more than 100 of the virtual grocery stores at commuter rail stations in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Chicago, New Jersey and Connecticut. Commuters in the markets Peapod serves spend an hour in transit to and from work each day, according to Census data.

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. — Skechers will once again feature Hall of Fame quarterback in its campaign for its "Relaxed Fit" footwear. Montana’s spot will follow Mark Cuban’s televised launch of the brand, and will be followed by Tommy Lasorda’s own unique Relaxed Fit commercial in 2013, as part of a triple sport celebrity campaign for the new men’s comfort footwear collection.

New York -- Saks Inc. has opened its first Saks Fifth Avenue store in Kazakhstan, in the city of Almaty.

LAKELAND, Fla.— Publix on Monday announced its board of directors declared a semi-annual dividend on its common stock of 30 cents per share. The dividend will be payable and mailed Dec. 3, 2012, to stockholders of record as of the close of business Oct. 31, 2012.

Cherry Hill, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said that upscale salon Essensuals London has officially opened at its Cherry Hill Mall property in Cherry Hill, N.J.

The 1,530-sq.-ft. salon – the company’s first on the East Coast – joins the recently opened North Face and Henri Bendel. Pottery Barn is set to open this fall.