News

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble announced on Thursday a decrease in both first-quarter net sales and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, as core earnings per share rose 5%.

For the July-September period, net sales totaled $20.7 billion, a decrease of 4% compared with the year-ago period — including a negative 6% impact from foreign exchange.

BENTONVILLE, ARK. — Sam's Club is hoping to keep its members in good spirits this holiday season, by launching a guide to help them with preparing for the home, entertaining and gift giving. In addition, Sam’s Club has enlisted an all-star squad of "Cheer Guides," national experts in decorating, entertaining and charitable giving who will inspire members with creative, fun ideas that ease the stress of the holiday season.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens and the People’s Choice Awards on Thursday announced the drug store’s appointment as the official retail sponsor of the 39th annual People’s Choice Awards.

Moen has announced its Moen Caldwell Four-Function Eco-Performance Showerhead, which has a flow rate of 2.0 gallons per minute (gpm), 20% less than the industry standard of 2.5 gpm. It also meets the Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense criteria.

New York -- Consumers are expected to spend an average of $582 on holiday shopping this season, and 23% plan to spend more than $750, according to a survey by Accenture. And half of consumers (52%) expect to increase their spending by $250 or more.

Sidney, Neb. – Cabela’s Inc. said Thursday that its net income rose 28% in the third quarter, in line with expectations, as the outdoor sporting goods retailer's smaller store format outperformed its larger, standard format.

AT&T’s first-ever flagship is designed to immerse customers in everything AT&T. The 10,000-sq.-ft. emporium, located at 600 N. Michigan Ave. in Chicago, also offers shoppers a peek into the future, with the first-ever retail demonstrations of the company’s new digital home security system and an example of how wireless technology can help driving via an on-site “connected” car.

In its eighth year, the annual Top Redevelopers survey continues to underscore the country’s emphasis on refurbishing and repositioning over building anew. Just as in the prior seven years, shopping center owners are concentrating on existing assets — sometimes tweaking, sometimes refreshing, sometimes razing sections and rebuilding. For all, however, the goal is to maximize exposure and returns for all the tenants involved.

Energy conservation remains a key priority for retailers as several factors, including new power plant regulations, threaten to increase volatility in the electricity market. Along with being a significant cost driver, energy management advances environmental goals. Indeed, it is typically the most cost-effective activity a retailer can undertake to become more sustainable, according to Marcus Boerkei, general manager of Siemens Retail & Commercial Systems, who spoke with Chain Store Age about how retailers can reduce their energy use.

By Donald Landin

If you’ve ever slipped and fallen on a wet surface, you’re not alone. Each year, poorly maintained floors are responsible for more than 2 million customer and employee fall injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The result: billions of dollars in medical, insurance and litigation costs for businesses.