News

LOS ANGELES — While getting gifts at the lowest price is likely the biggest motivator for holiday shopping at Walmart, many will still want to know where those products were made, and that's where the "All-American Holiday Gift Gude" could come in handy.

New York  -- Jones Group Inc. reported a higher-than-expected quarterly profit, helped by a rise in sales of shoes and jeans to U.S. department stores, which helped make up for a big  drop in business at its own stores.
  
Third-quarter revenue slipped 0.7% to $1.035 billion as sales at the company's U.S. stores were down 6.7%.
   

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway's Vons division has partnered with Chevron for a joint fuel loyalty program. Customers who earn gas rewards by shopping with their VonsClub card at Vons stores and their ValuePlus card at Pavilions stores will now be able to use their rewards for up to 20 cents off per gallon when filling up at participating Chevron and Texaco branded locations in Southern and Central California.

New York -- Shoppers are in a good mood heading into the holiday season, with the number of consumers planning to spend less on the holidays (37%) at the lowest level since 2006, according to Deloitte's 27th annual survey of holiday spending intentions and trends. One-half (50%) of consumers surveyed expect the economy will improve next year, up from just one-third (33%) heading into the holiday season last year.

DALLAS — The Container Store has named three new VPs.

Brooke Minteer has been promoted to VP buying logistics and operations. In her new role as VP, Minteer will continue to develop strategies and processes to help streamline tasks and procedures in the buying department. Additionally, Minteer will help lead the online merchandising team for the company's web site .

MAHWAH, N.J. — The Fred Meyer Jewelers division of Kroger Co. has selected TD Retail Card Services to take over the private label credit card program for its Fred Meyer Jewelers and Littman Jewelers stores.

Under the agreement, the  business unit of TD will direct all facets of the program for the company's 344 fine jewelry stores in 32 states. 
 

VALHALLA, N.Y. — Best Buy is offering customers the chance to try out Turtle Beach brand gaming headsets at new in-store, interactive kiosks.

New York -- Barnes & Noble said it has detected tampering with PIN pad devices that are used in 63 of its stores. Upon detecting evidence of tampering, which was limited to one compromised PIN pad in each of the affected stores, chain discontinued use of all PIN pads in its nearly 700 stores nationwide by the close of business on Sept.14.
 
In addition, the company notified federal law enforcement authorities, and has been supporting a federal government investigation into the matter.