News

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Just in time for Earth Day, Fresh & Easy has introduced its private-label household cleaning and paper products.

The retailer's Green Things line, which now is available in stores, features household cleaners that are made with plant-based formulas, are biodegradable and pH-neutral and also are made without such chemicals as 1,4-dioxane, phosphates, dyes or perfumes.

Phoenix -- PetSmart celebrated Earth Day on Friday with the announcement that its distribution center in McCarran, Nev., has been awarded Silver Certification under the LEED (Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design) for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance rating system.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Whole Foods Market announced that it has introduced the Eco-Scale Rating System to help customers make smarter, greener choices for their homes and the planet.  

New York City -- Borders is seeking at least $50 million in additional financing as sales trail expectations and publishers demand cash in advance, according to two people who have seen the chain’s plans to reorganize, Bloomberg reported. The bankrupt retailer already has a $505 million debtor-in-possession loan from lenders led by GE Capital.

Borders may risk liquidation without further investment, easier terms from vendors or a buyer, said the people, who declined to be identified because the process isn’t public, the report said.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Groupon, a company that provides discounts for various events and services across the country, has teamed up with General Mills to offer its first consumer-packaged-goods deals. 

The program is launching for residents of Minneapolis and San Francisco, who can sample select General Mills brand items when they take advantage of a 50% off deal that delivers over $40 in value to their doorstep for $20. The package also includes a General Mills $15 coupon book and is good while supplies last.

New York City -- A western Pennsylvania woman filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against Target Corp. and its law firm over the chain's debt-collection practices, the Associated Press reported. The woman claims false affidavits were used to go after customers who allegedly owed money to a subsidiary bank that issues the store's credit cards.

Walmart remains in full blown communications mode, and next week it rolls out the big gun when president and CEO Mike Duke is scheduled to participate in the Barclays Capital 2011 Retail and Restaurants Conference at 1 p.m. EST on Tuesday, April 26.

The stock buyback binge Walmart has been on for the past few years is positioned as a way for the company to return cash to shareholders, and it is. However, the $25.6 billion (that’s not a typo) spent by Walmart on share repurchases during the past three years has had another effect. It has driven the Walton family’s ownership stake in the company to a record level of 48.18%.