Financial News

NEW YORK — Walmart had high Web traffic numbers for the week ended Nov. 27, which included Thanksgiving and Black Friday, according to data released from Experian Hitwise.

The big-box retailer topped the list at 25.88% of all Web traffic, or 88 million visits, with Target ranking second at 15.26%, or 51.8 million visits.

Meanwhile, Sears.com accounted for 6.21% of multichannel Web traffic, or 21.1 million visits for the week, just under JCPenney at 21.5 million visits, or 6.34% of total Web traffic.

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu is having difficulty divesting its New-England-based Shaw’s chain for more than $1 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, and the Minnesota grocery conglomerate may be ready to take down its "for sale" sign.

According to the report, Shaw’s has been on the block for several months with no takers. Many bids from private-equity firms actually came in below the asking price.

CHICAGO — Boosted by a very weak comparison period, ShopperTrak’s National Retail Sales Estimate reported that total GAFO retail sales for the last Saturday before Christmas (Dec. 18), or "Super Saturday," increased a sharp 15.1%, compared with last year, while the company’s retail traffic index reported a similar 10.1% total U.S. foot traffic uptick for the same period.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — The work of 62 nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island and Massachusetts received a boost with support from funds generated by the 2010 CVS Caremark Charity Classic.

CVS Caremark's chairman and CEO, Tom Ryan, along with PGA Tour Professionals and CVS Caremark Charity Classic co-hosts Billy Andrade and Brad Faxon, presented more than $1.3 million to area charities at the company's customer support center headquarters.

LONDON and ROTTERDAM, Netherlands — Unilever has confirmed that Alberto-Culver shareholders have approved the proposed $3.7 billion Unilever acquisition, which was announced in September.

Separately, Unilever confirmed that it has received a second request for information from the United States Department of Justice in the regulatory review process. Unilever noted that it will continue to work with the DOJ in connection with its review.

IRVINGTON, N.Y. — Prestige Brands Holdings on Thursday announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets associated with the Dramamine business in the United States from McNeil Consumer Healthcare for $76 million in cash.

“The company expects to quickly and smoothly integrate Dramamine into the Prestige portfolio and drive growth through enhanced brand support,” stated Matthew Mannelly, Prestige Brands CEO.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Stater Bros. on Wednesday disclosed a more than 4% decrease in sales for fiscal year 2010.

The California supermarket chain said sales for the fiscal year ended Sept. 26 were $3.61 billion, down from $3.77 billion in fiscal year 2009. Sales for the fourth quarter also experienced a decline, dropping to $897.4 million, down 3.15% over the year-ago period.

WASHINGTON — Yogurt brand Dannon agreed to drop what government officials are calling "exaggerated health claims" for two of its products.