News

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears customers can now engage the services of Jackson Hewitt for tax preparation for the 2013 season.

Seattle -- Sears Holdings Corp. strengthened its environmental commitment with the rollout of 27 new Roush CleanTech Ford E-250 cargo vans fueled by propane autogas, to be deployed in the Sears Home Services fleet in Seattle for in-home service and repair visits.

Build-A-Bear Workshop has gone high-tech. The company has debuted a new store design that combines its signature hands-on bear-making experience with innovative technology that’s right in line with today’s digitally savvy kids. The new format, which premiered in Build-A-Bear Workshop’s renovated location at West County Center, St. Louis, also provides more interactive options to keep shoppers coming back.

Deerfield Beach, Fla. -- Walgreens’ fiscal fourth quarter net income fell 55% compared with a year ago when the drugstore operator recorded a big business sale gain. However, its adjusted earnings still beat analysts’ expectations.

Walgreen earned $353 million for the quarter ended Aug. 31, compared with $792 million a year ago. On an adjusted basis, Walgreen earned $553 million versus $599 million a year earlier. Adjusted earnings excluded acquisition-related costs and costs related to inventory.

PepsiCo’s Mountain Dew executives and recording artist Lil Wayne this week opened a new skate park in New Orleans made possible by funding from the beverage brand.

The skate park is located in the city’s Ninth Ward, a region that gained infamy following devastating flooding after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The skate park is a key component of a social media, brand building initiative known as DEWeezy that was announced in March of this year and offers Dew fans an opportunity to create a television commercial featuring Lil Wayne.

Deloitte is out with its holiday sales forecast (up 3.5%-4%) and soon other prognosticators will weigh in with their seasonal outlooks.

For now, Deloitte is a lone voice in late September projecting holiday sales will increase between 3.5% and 4%, noting that the economy's health and the presidential election are taking center stage with consumers this fall. Despite the distractions a modest increase is expected, but the gain will be below last year’s growth rate of 5.9%.

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. — Whirlpool took the top spot amongst major appliance companies in the 2012 annual American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Whirlpool Corporation has led or tied for first place each year since 1996.

GRAPEVINE, Texas — GameStop as formed The Gamer Fund to provide temporary relief and meet the basic needs of GameStop associates who are facing hardships from tragic and isolated events. Endowed with seed donations from GameStop’s founders and senior management team, The Gamer Fund will be fully run and funded by GameStop associates.

Newell Rubbermaid, a marketer of consumer and commercial products, has announced the introduction of Rubbermaid Bathroom Scrubbers and the Rubbermaid Clean & Dry Plunger.

Rubbermaid Bathroom Scrubbers provide four tools including the Spray Scrubber, Extendable Scrubber, Flexible Scrub Brush and 2-in-1 Scrubber.

A variety of switchable pads are available including Scour, Sponge, Bristle and Disposable Pads.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General is promising big savings on toys -- right up until Christmas Eve. From Sept. 29 through Dec. 24, the retailer is offering a 10% discount on toy purchases of $75 or more.