News

NEW YORK — EcoTools, an earth-friendly bath and beauty products brand, has made its way to Walmart.

Last month, a variety of EcoTools cosmetic brushes lined the shelves of Walmart stores throughout the country. EcoTools also introduced the EcoTools everyday collection 6-piece brush set exclusively at Walmart. The collection, which comes in a hemp case, includes an angled blush brush, an angle eyeliner brush, concealer brush, eye shading brush and detailer/lip brush. The 6-piece set retails for $10.98.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores said Thursday that it is increasing its annual dividend 21% on the back of strong earnings.

The retailer last month reported a 27% increase in fourth-quarter net income as it benefited from cost-cutting and strong sales overseas. Wal-Mart said it will pay an annual dividend this year of $1.46, up from $1.21. It will pay quarterly dividends of 36.5 cents in April, June, September and January in fiscal 2012, which ends Jan. 31.

IRVINGTON, N.Y. — Prestige Brands on Friday named Paul Hennessey VP operations.

“[Hennessey’s] background in over-the-counter consumer products is a terrific match for our company,” stated Prestige president and CEO Matthew Mannelly. “As we continue to grow and become even more customer and consumer focused in OTC, [Hennessey’s] leadership skills and extensive experience in supply chain manufacturing will serve our brands and our company well."

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart said Thursday that it is increasing its annual dividend 21% on the back of strong earnings.

The retailer last month reported a 27% increase in fourth-quarter net income as it benefited from cost-cutting and strong international sales. Walmart said it will pay an annual dividend this year of $1.46, up from $1.21. It will pay quarterly dividends of 36.5 cents in April, June, September and January in fiscal 2012, which ends Jan. 31.

The next dividend will be paid on April 4 to shareholders of record on March 11.

NEW YORK -- Consumers always want more. Whether it is a thinner, lighter iPad, a faster car or a muffin with more blueberries. The same is true in the world of coupons where a stumbling national economy caused shoppers to demand more coupons from consumer packaged goods companies.

Dover, Del. -- The Delaware Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by billionaire Ron Burkle in a lawsuit challenging a poison pill plan adopted by Barnes & Noble after he doubled his stake in the company.

After hearing arguments Wednesday, the court on Thursday affirmed a judge's ruling last year upholding the poison pill plan, which limited a shareholder's stake in the company to 20%.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Sears Holdings has joined other retailers, including Barnes & Noble, in inviting Amazon.com affiliates to work with it following Amazon's response to recent legislation related to collected taxes on e-commerce purchases.

Rebecca Van Dyck was named global chief marketing officer of the Levi’s brand where she will be responsible for the development and implementation of fully integrated marketing strategies across all of the Levi's brand's product categories and consumer communication channels. Dyck joins the company from Apple Inc. where she led the worldwide marketing and communications strategies for some of the world's most well-known and admired product launches, including introducing the iPhone, iPad and iPod + iTunes.