News

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The pace at which Walmart adds new selling space globally will remain unchanged next year, but improved productivity, more U.S. stores and expanding multichannel capabilities are expected to produce sales and profit growth.

Safeway reported income from continuing operations of $108 million, or 45 cents per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2012 compared with $130.3 million (38 centper diluted share) in the third quarter of 2011.

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. — It seems that consumers' holiday spending intentions are more positive than last year, according to NPD's 11th annual holiday retail study.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us has expanded international shipping for online orders on Toysrus.com and Babiesrus.com to more than 60 countries across Asia, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, North America and South America. The company is providing this service to its customers in partnership with i-parcel, a leading international air express company that facilitates global shipping capabilities.

Neil Ashe, president and CEO of global e-commerce was clearly the most excitable person on stage Wednesday at Walmart’s 19th annual analysts' meeting. And for good reason.

Walmart created its global e-commerce group two years ago and Ashe joined the company back in January. Wednesday was his first opportunity to participate in the company’s annual analysts’ meeting and he made the most of it, slipping in a first ever reference to Walmart’s online revenues that now total $9 billion.

PITTSBURGH — Giant Eagle is looking to ease the fears of consumers concerned about risig food costs by promising not to raise prices on hundreds of items through the holidays.

SHANGHAI, China and PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Hasbro has entered into a partnership with Alpha Animation, a toy and entertainment company in China, to form a Chinese joint venture company for the co-development of toys and games.

If approved, the joint venture will focus on developing toys from Alpha's popular Blazing Teens brand. A brand from Hasbro’s global portfolio also will be selected for development. Hasbro and Alpha Animation will in turn collaborate to develop these brands for China and global markets.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples is making it easier for small businesses and consumers to get ready for the holiday season with its online holiday center.

According to the company, this year's Staples Holiday Center includes an expanded product assortment with more gift ideas than ever as well as recipes and homemade crafts.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us has come out with what it believes will be the hot toy trends for the 2012 holiday season.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is introducing a first-of-its-kind Centers of Excellence program that will offer its associates quality health care with no out-of-pocket cost for heart, spine and transplant surgeries at six of the leading hospital and health systems in the United States.