News

Walmart displayed a powerful commitment to revitalizing U.S. manufacturing this week when the company convened its first ever domestic sourcing summit.

Not only was the event a first for Walmart, it was also unlike anything the retail industry has ever seen. Roughly 1,500 supplier company representatives, government and economic development officials, Walmart’s top executives and dozens of senior merchants participated in the three hour summit held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

In advance of the Walmart-led U.S. Manufacturing Summit held in Orlando, Walmart U.S. president and CEO Bill Simon wrote an op-ed piece for the Huffington Post titled, "Reviving U.S. Manufacturing Key to Rebuilding the Middle Class." In it, Simon alludes to the vanishing middle class — which found themselves jobless as products once produced in the U.S.

Financial network CNBC’s top anchor Maria Bartiromo took her show “Closing Bell” on the road this week to broadcast live outside the auditorium at the Orlando convention center where Walmart convened its domestic manufacturing summit.

Walmart’s SVP of Home Michelle Gloeckler may not have been among those on stage at the retailer’s domestic sourcing summit, but she is the one leading the execution of massive initiative.

The National Retail Federation definition of September 2013 shifts the month one week later in the calendar when compared to 2012. This shift introduces a significant cooler bias in the forecast. Therefore, while the nation on a year-on-year basis trends cooler, most of that will be due to a calendar shift and not a change in the weather. Conditions are expected to be similar to 2012 when the shift is removed.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Hibbett Sports reported a weaker-than-expected comparable-store sales increase of 0.3% for the second quarter ended Aug. 3, compared to a 4.8% increase in the prior-year period.

Last year's second quarter benefited from the extra week in the fiscal calendar which resulted in approximately $12 million of sales.

NEW YORK — Despite experiencing some challenges, particularly in the U.S., Foot Locker reported a comparable-store sales of 1.8% for the second quarter ended Aug. 3.

Russell Athletic brand deployed its brand ambassador and Washington wide receiver Pierre Garcon to three Washington, D.C.-area high schools. Garcon delivered Russell Athletic uniforms to the school's respective football teams.

The teams selected were from Thomas Jefferson (Alexandra, Va.), Theodore Roosevelt (Washington, D.C.) and Springbrook (Silver Spring, Md.).

NEW YORK — The Tommy Hilfiger Group enlisted actor Josh Bowman and professional surfers Kalani Robb, C.J. Kanuha and Alek Parker to participate in Autism Society San Diego's annual summer surf camp.

In June, Josh Bowman and Kalani Robb, along with Gary Sheinbaum, CEO, Tommy Hilfiger North America and InStyle Magazine fashion director Cindy Weber-Cleary, co-hosted the opening event for the newest Tommy Hilfiger store opening in San Diego’s Fashion Valley Mall, benefitting the Autism Society San Diego.

DALLAS — Neiman Marcus launched an online beauty product specialist program that offers customers the same personalized counter experience they would receive in-store.