News

TOPEKA, Kan. — Payless announced that it is supporting breast cancer awareness with the sale of a special earring set. Sales from the earrings, which cost $2 and are available in stores and online, will go toward helping Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world's largest breast cancer organization and the largest source of non-profit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer.  

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens reported Tuesday that profit for its fiscal fourth quarter surged 69%, in part due to gains from the $525 million sale of its pharmacy benefits management business Walgreens Health Initiatives during the quarter.

Net income for the quarter ended Aug. 31 rose to $792 million, up from $470 million in the year-ago period and surpassing Wall Street expectations.

Revenue rose 6.5% to $18 billion and same-store sales increased 4.4%.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot has fired the president of its international business for "having an improper relationship."

Charlie Brown, president of the international division, has left the organization, effective Monday, the company announced in a press release.

Los Angeles -- A Tuesday report by CNN Money, citing a regulatory filing, said that private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners is raising $5 billion for its sixth private equity fund.

Leonard Green’s current retail portfolio includes Sports Authority, Neiman Marcus and Whole Foods, with plans underway to add BJ's Wholesale Club to its holdings.

According to the report, the SEC filing does not confirm that the firm has closed on any money as of yet.
 

Atlanta -- The prepaid gift card market remained healthy in the first half of 2011, experiencing a higher rate of growth than U.S. consumer spending despite the sluggish macroeconomic environment. That’s one finding of a new analysis on the U.S. gift card market from First Data Advisors.