News

Procter & Gamble Canada has announced that Emmy-nominated actress Christina Hendricks will host the fifth annual P&G Beauty & Grooming Awards Dec. 2.

Best known for her portrayal of “Joan Holloway” on AMC’s series “Mad Men,” the former model will grace the stage as P&G celebrates the best Canadian editorial and creative talent in beauty, fashion and grooming. Hendricks joins Nia Vardalos, Queen Latifah, Kim Cattrall and Rob Lowe who have served as previous hosts.

Information technology outsourcing (ITO) enables organizations to cut labor and infrastructure costs, improve operating efficiencies and increase flexibility in the IT department. Although certain aspects of retailing are ideally suited to out-of-house automation via ITO, the retail industry as a whole has not embraced ITO as much as some other industries.

Target will open stores at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, an hour earlier than last year, and will keep them open until 11 p.m. Black Friday.

The company said it is making the change in response to competitive pressure and demand from shoppers.

Kathee Tesija, executive VP of merchandising at Target, told The Associated Press that she felt the 8 p.m. time was just right, based on the competitive landscape, and the sentiment among shoppers and its own store staff.

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us will open its stores at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 28,  offering more than 300 doorbuster values, while supplies last, from four-hour deals and Thursday-through-Saturday discounts on hot toys, games and tablets, to gift with purchase offers. New this holiday season, Toys "R" Us will provide its Rewards “R” Us members the exclusive opportunity to take advantage of select Thanksgiving Weekend deals and discounts on Wednesday, Nov. 27.

Sears Canada announced that it has reached a definitive agreement with Montez Income Properties Corp. to sell its 50% joint venture interest in eight properties it owns with The Westcliff Group of Companies for approximately $315 million.  

New York -- Online food retailer Peapod and Giant Food Stores have opened a new fulfillment center in Coopersburg, Pa.

"Peapod by Giant has seen exciting growth in the Philadelphia area and we are delighted to partner with our sister grocer, Peapod, to expand service to additional ZIP codes in the Giant trade area," said Rick Herring, president. "As always, we will strive to provide a wide selection of well-priced, top quality, fresh products with the ease of online shopping and home delivery."

A 32.4% increase in online sales was one of few bright spots in regional sporting goods retailer Sport Chalet’s second quarter.

During the period ended September 29, the Los Angeles-based chain said sales declined 5.2% to $86.7 due to a 2.5% same store sales decline, the closure of three underperforming stores and weakness in its team sales division due to changes in personnel. The negative factors were offset by strength in the online business and the opening of one new store. Sport Chalet ended the quarter with 52 stores.

Los Angeles -- Sport Chalet reported a loss for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 of $3.0 million, compared to net income of $0.8 million in the year-ago period. Sales decreased 5.2% to $86.7 million from $91.5 million, with a 2.5% comparable store sales decrease. Among the few bright spots was a 32.4% increase in online sales, and a better-than-expected performance by the chain's new store concept.