News

Operating internationally is full of pitfalls and political peculiarity, as Walmart has again discovered in South Africa where various government officials are attempting to wring additional concessions from the company related to its acquisition of Massmart.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse revealed that online retail sales rose 14% over the year-ago period, marking the 24th straight month of year-over-year growth, as well as the ninth consecutive month of double-digit growth, with improvement in every subcategory except for electronics.

The seventh installment in the Family Movie Night entertainment initiative between Procter & Gamble and Walmart is set to air this Saturday at 8 p.m. on NBC. The made-for-TV movie, Who is Simon Miller?, is billed as a heart-pounding summer spy drama that tests the limits to which families will fight for each other that will keep the whole family riveted.

SYDNEY, Neb.  — Cabela's is marking its entry in Arkansas with plans for a 100,000-sq.-ft. store in Rogers. The store is scheduled to open in the summer of 2012. The retailer also has also announced plans to build stores in Wichita, Kan., and Tulalip, Wash., as well as Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, all expected to open in 2012.

NEW YORK — Online lingerie retailer BareNecessities.com announced that it has named Jay Dunn as its new CMO.

Dunn was the former VP/CMO of Lane Bryant and the man behind the company's controversial "Red Bra" campaign that was banned from ABC for being "too sexy." The campaign went viral and ended up winning several awards and being named Brandweek's top story of 2010. 

NEW YORK — Consumers heading to the grocery store this summer can garner more than 35% in savings if they buy store brands, according to a pricing study conducted by the Private Label Manufacturers Association.

Westfield shopping centers and the Westfield Family program have launched a “Give Back to School” community program, in which Westfield will donate $57,500 to the program by offering $2,500 to one school in each of 23 communities. The funds will be used to support such school programs as arts and music, sciences, physical education, libraries and technology resources.

Shoppers also will have the opportunity to help local students by donating new and gently used clothing or backpacks through a local community partnership with their Westfield shopping center.

Operating internationally is full of pitfalls and political peculiarity, as Walmart has again discovered in South Africa where various government officials are attempting to wring additional concessions from the company related to its acquisition of Massmart.