News

MINNEAPOLIS -- Supervalu reported net sales of $8.7 billion for the fiscal 2011 fourth quarter, compared with sales of $9.2 billion for the same period last year. Supervalu's fourth-quarter net earnings were $95 million, or 44 cents per diluted share, compared with net earning of $97 million, or 46 cents per diluted share the company reported last year. 

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Office Depot announced that, from April 17 through April 23, it is inviting customers to trade in their used writing instruments regardless of brand to any of its retail stores nationwide. In exchange for ten pens, pencils or markers, customers will receive a coupon toward a new product from Newell Rubbermaid Office Products. The collected instruments will be sent to TerraCycle to be turned into new office supply products ranging from trash cans to desk organizers.

FORT WORTH, Texas -- RadioShack announced that it is giving customers the chance to win the new eco-friendly Nissan Leaf simply by trading in their used electronics devices.

From April 17 to 23, customers can bring in eligible working products and accessories into any participating RadioShack store and enter to win a Nissan LEAF, the only 100% electric, zero-emissions vehicle available in the mass market. 

CHICAGO — Walgreens' chief marketing officer Kim Feil was inducted into the In-Store Marketing Institute Hall of Fame Thursday morning in Chicago.

Feil was a seasoned consumer packaged goods marketer when she joined Walgreens in fall 2008, and as company CEO Greg Wasson recently noted, she propelled Walgreens from being a good advertiser to a world class marketing organization.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.  -- HSN announced that Betsy Olum has been appointed general manager beauty and merchandising strategy.  She will report directly to Lynne Ronon, HSN EVP merchandising.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. --Staples announced that it will be selling Barnes & Noble's Nook Color tablet e-reader, making it the first office superstore to offer the device. The Nook will be available at Staples stores nationwide and at Staples.com for $249, beginning May 1.

CINCINNATI and BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Walmart and Procter & Gamble's Family Movie Night initiative is celebrating one year, and the companies plan to continue their partnership with the addition of five more movies in 2011.

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. -- Kraft Foods announced that its premium coffee brand, Gevalia, will be available for purchase in supermarkets, mass merchandisers and other retail outlets across the United States beginning in August.  

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Thursday by Bloomberg said that consumer confidence rose for a third straight week, indicating an improving job market and more positive attitudes about finances and the economy.

The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index climbed to minus 43 in the period to April 10, the best showing since the end of February, following a minus 44.5 reading the prior week.

Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission disclosed Thursday that the Sam’s Club warehouse division of Wal-Mart Stores will pay $440,000 and other relief to settle a harassment lawsuit filed by the EEOC.
 
The agency disclosed the settlement in a statement on its website.