News

PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. announced that it was recognized this week by the Association of Fundraising Professionals with the organization's 2011 Freeman Philanthropic Services Award for Outstanding Corporation.

New York City -- Borders Group, which filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February and has announced plans to close about a third of its stores, said it plans to pay key employees as much as $8.3 million in incentives and retention bonuses, Bloomberg reported.

The retailer asked a judge to approve its plan in a filing Thursday in U.S. Bankruptcy Courty in New York. Borders said it has historically compensated employees through incentives.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.  -- Kenmore announced that it has launched an online reality series, "So You Wanna Be a Designer."

For six weeks the reality show will stream live on Kenmore's Facebook page to show budding designers at work, making their dreams a reality. Through the series, contestants will learn how to navigate the barriers of entering the design world: how to create and launch a brand, and how to price, present and promote designs successfully, among other things.

NEW YORK -- Barnes & Noble has announced a partnership with Nickelodeon that will bring the first-ever digital books from the number-one entertainment brand for kids. The books will feature such Nickelodeon characters as SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer available in digital format through the Nook Color Reader’s Tablet (www.nookcolor.com) and the free Nook Kids for iPad application (www.nookkids.com/ipad and www.itunes.com/appstore).

FREEPORT, Maine — L.L.Bean announced that, effective March 25, it will offer free standard shipping to all United States and Canadian.

“We tested free shipping offers with no minimum purchase for several months and the customer response was overwhelming,” said Chris McCormick, president and CEO, L.L.Bean. “Our customers want and value free shipping. It’s our opportunity to offer free shipping for all U.S. and Canadian customers with no minimum purchase, no end date, no conditions -- guaranteed.”

NEW YORK -- Teen fashion retailer Delia's has announced the appointment of two shareholder representatives to its board of directors effective March 25. The two new directors are Michael Zimmerman, the founder and CEO of Prentice Capital Management, LP, and Mario Ciampi, the managing partner of Prentice Capital Management, LP. Zimmerman will also serve as a member of the corporate governance and nominating committee, and Ciampi will be a member of the compensation Committee.

San Diego -- Target Corp. is suing a pro-gay marriage group to get it to stop canvassing outside its San Diego County stores, alleging the group’s activists are driving away customers, the Associated Press said.

PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. announced that it was recognized this week by the Association of Fundraising Professionals with the organization's 2011 Freeman Philanthropic Services Award for Outstanding Corporation.