General Merchandise

WAUKESHA, Wis. — On Jan. 23, 2014 Hamacher Resource Group will offer its most popular workshop, "How to Grow Sales Within Independent Pharmacy," at its headquarters in Waukesha, Wis., the company announced Wednesday. 

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Mass merchandiser Kmart is planning to roll out lease-to-own financing at stores around the country this holiday season, the Sears Holdings-owned chain said Wednesday.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Seattle drug store chain Bartell Drugs is offering custom printing in its stores through a pilot program with Kodak Alaris, the photography giant said Wednesday.

Kodak said a Bartell store in Seattle's University Village shopping center would offer consumers a full-service, digital-to-print media system with On Demand Books' Espresso Book Machine, integrated with Kodak Picture Kiosks. The pilot program marks the first time the system has been offered in a drug store environment.

SOUTH DEERFIELD, Mass. — The Yankee Candle Co. will introduce the new holiday-inspired Snow Globes collection, the company announced Wednesday.  

NEW YORK — Hallmark Cards will lay off up to 250 people and drop its party wares line as sales for the category decline, according to published reports.

The Kansas City Star reported that the layoffs equalled more than 7% of the company's 3,200 jobs in the Kansas City, Mo., area, out of about 12,000 employees worldwide.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — To celebrate the service and commitment of the nation’s military, Walgreens on Monday announced it is offering a Veterans Day discount to all veterans and active duty military personnel. 

On Monday, Nov. 11, customers with a valid military ID or proof of service will receive 15% off eligible store items and 20% off Walgreens, Nice! and W brand products at any Walgreens or Duane Reade drug store nationwide.

PLANO, Texas — Crossmark on Monday announced the acquisition of the assets of PromoWorks, an insights-driven shopper marketing solutions firm. PromoWorks will be led by industry veteran Julie Beck. Prior to joining PromoWorks in 2011, Beck held a variety of leadership positions at Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, Kraft and the Partnering Group.

CHICAGO — Underwhelming fall sales and continued economic and federal budgetary concerns have U.S. retailers in a “wait and see” mode this holiday season, according to a recent BDO USA survey released Monday.