News

NEW YORK — Macy's announced that this week it will debut the new Giambattista Valli collection, the fourth in the retailer's series of limited-edition, designer capsules created exclusively for its Impulse department. 

Valli's first-ever collaboration will bring ultra-feminine, jet-set style to the affordable fashion arena for the holiday season, Macy's said. Giambattista Valli for Impulse only at Macy's" will be sold in approximately 225 Macy's stores nationwide and on macys.com/impulse beginning Oct. 26.

Issaquah, Wash. — Costco Wholesale's donations to a Washington state voter initiative that would legalize liquor sales by private retailers have broken state records, according to published reports.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot delivered higher profits for its third quarter, but sales were down thanks in part to weak comps at its North American retail division. Office Depot reported that total company sales for the third quarter of 2011 were $2.8 billion, a 2% decrease compared with the third quarter of 2010. Net earnings for the quarter were $92 million, or 28 cents per diluted share, compared with $32 million or 12 cents per diluted share for the same period last year.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation announced that it has asked the Commerce Department to delay implementation of a controversial plan to vastly expand Internet domain names, saying retailers and other businesses need more information before moving forward.

New York City -- Coach said Tuesday its first quarter profit increased 14% on strong demand for its products at home and abroad. Its results beat expectations and reflected the continuing strength of the luxury market.

Coach reported net income of $215 million for the three months ended Oct. 1, up from $188.9 million in the year-age period.

Revenue rose 15% to $1.05 billion, from $912 million a year ago. Same-store sales were up 9.2% in North America.

QUINCY, Mass. — Stop & Shop announced that it has expanded the availability of its SCAN IT! Mobile shopping app. 

First introduced last June for iPhone 3GS and 4G in three stores, SCAN IT! Mobile is now also available for many Android devices which will double the reach of customers, the company said. In addition, the pilot will expand to an additional 42 Stop & Shop stores in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

Austin, Texas -- Retail credit solution-provider NewComLink said Tuesday that Zale Corp. has implemented the NewComLink platform as part of its new program to provide alternative financing options to its U.S. customers.

Zale announced the new alternative financing program on Aug. 31, which is currently available in all Zales, Zales Outlet and Gordon’s retail stores.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that it has donated $5 million to the Smithsonian Institution to support the construction of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) in Washington, D.C.

The NMAAHC was established in 2003 by Congress, making it the 19th Smithsonian Institution museum. It will be the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African-American life, art, history and culture.