Sales & Marketing

ROCKVILLE, Md. -- The Walmart Foundation and Goodwill have teamed up to provide single mothers with all the tools they need to find employment, succeed in the workplace and permanently support their families. The Walmart Foundation's grant of $2.5 million will support the program, known as Beyond Jobs, at Goodwill agencies in the five key markets of Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles County, Detroit, and New York City, through 2012.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Tuesday by the Federal Reserve said that U.S. consumer borrowing rose in December for a third consecutive month, led by the first increase in credit-card charges in more than two years as holiday sales improved.

CHICAGO — While many consumers tend to choose less expensive products when times are tough, lower-income Hispanics that predominantly speak Spanish tend to buy brand-name personal care products at a higher rate than their English-dominant counterparts, according to recent research by Mintel.

Jakarta/Singapore -- Wal-Mart Stores is in talks to become a partner of Indonesian retailer PT Matahari Putra Prima to develop its hypermarts, according to Reuters.

South Korea's Lotte Shopping Co. has withdrawn from talks for a deal with Matahari, the report said. Matahari last month said it will seek a “global partner” to develop its hypermart business.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — A new line of toy firing systems features ammunition that disintegrates on impact.

The Xploderz lineup of products include the XBlaster 200, Face Off 400, XStormer 1000 and XRanger 2000. Each gun shoots ammunition made with H2Grow technology that disintegrates on impact.

The XBlaster 200 is an easy-to-handle blaster that features a power arm, ammo clip and 200 Xploderz rounds, and shoots up to 50 ft. The XBlaster 200 carries a suggested retail price of $12.99.

Cary, N.C. -- C-store operator The Pantry said Tuesday that it narrowed its loss for the quarter ended Dec. 30 to $12.2 million, compared with a loss of $26.1 million a year earlier.

Merchandise same-store sales increased 1.3% for the quarter.

The Pantry operates 1,662 stores in 13 states primarily under the Kangaroo Express banner.
 

Indianapolis -- Appliance and electronics retailer Hhgregg reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended Dec. 31 rose 18.4% to $26.9 million, compared with $22.7 million in the year-ago period.

Net sales increased 30.6% to $653.7 million. Same-stores dropped 6.2%.

Indianapolis -- Appliance and electronics retailer Hhgregg reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended Dec. 31 rose 18.4% to $26.9 million, compared with $22.7 million in the year-ago period.

Net sales increased 30.6% to $653.7 million. Same-stores dropped 6.2%.

The company opened four new stores in the third quarter for a total of 42 in fiscal year 2011, and said it remains on track to open a total of 43 new stores in fiscal year 2011.