News

New York -- Retail sales this holiday season will grow about 4%, according to a survey by brand loyalty and customer engagement consultancy Brand Keys.   In the 2014 Brand Keys Holiday Shopping survey, 54% of consumers indicated they were going to start holiday shopping in November, “a trend we’ve commented upon for a number of years,” said Brand Keys founder and president Robert Passikoff.    

In the rapidly changing landscape for payments, market leader Vantiv is changing more rapidly than most as evidenced by dramatic growth in its transaction volume, revenues and profits.

Each of those measures surged during the company’s third quarter ended September 30. Thanks in large part to acquisitions, transaction volume in the merchant service group increased 31% which caused net revenue to increase 42% to $297.7 million. The company’s total revenue increased 31% to $697.1 million while adjusted net income increased 21% to $96.9 million, or 49 cents a share.

Customers and Shop Your Way members can shop Black Friday deals at most Sears stores starting as early as 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Sears’ subsidiary Kmart, continuing a 23-year tradition as a destination for early-bird shopping, will open for 42 hours straight, from 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving to midnight on Black Friday.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. -- Dollar General Corp extended its $80-a-share tender offer to acquire rival Family Dollar Stores Inc. from Oct. 31, 2014, to Dec. 31, 2014, unless further extended. It is the second time Dollar General has extended its offer.     About 4 million shares, or some 3.6% of Family Dollar's total share capital of about 114 million, had been validly tendered into the offer as of Oct. 30, Dollar General said in a statement.  

Consumer electronics retailer Adorama is the latest company to join with Google Express to offer same day delivery in Manhattan.

Customers can now have their purchases of computers, tablets, smartphones, cameras, even TVs and home theaters, delivered right to their door on the same day they order. Google Express is currently offering a three-month free trial on eligible orders over $15 for new members or use the service for $4.99 per order on eligible orders over $15. 

Waterbury, Conn. –- Likely spurred by back-to-school needs, consumers increased their spending on books 13% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same quarter the prior year. According to the quarterly Chase Freedom Lifestyle Index quarterly barometer of consumer trends based on aggregated Chase Freedom cardholder spending data, spending at craft stores (up 7%) also rose significantly in the quarter.  

Seattle –- Amazon.com will start offering daily Black Friday deals on Saturday, Nov. 1. Amazon will also start offering two Deals of the Day every day through Monday, Dec. 22.  

Michael Bauersfeld has resigned as Sun Products Corporation’s vp, corporate controller and treasurer to pursue other interests.

The company has appointed Jody L. Macedonio, currently the company’s vp, finance and planning, to the additional role of treasurer, responsible for all treasury functions at the company including investor relations. 

Kevin Page, currently the Sun’s director of financial operations has been designated as interim corporate controller.