Evriholder Products today announced the completion of an agreement to acquire the assets of Spongeables, LLC, a Los Angeles-based bath, health and beauty technology company. Spongeables holds several patents worldwide including a patented "infusion" technology in a proprietary manufacturing process that combines time released cleansing soaps, gels and other skincare ingredients into a hypoallergenic sponge matrix thereby creating all-in-one convenient, long-lasting products, according to Evriholder.

For the first quarter ended May 5, The Home Depot today reported net earnings of $1.2 billion, or 83 cents per diluted share, versus $1 billion, or 68 cents per diluted share, in the fiscal 2012 period. Comparable store sales increased 4.3% versus last year’s quarter.

For the 13-week first quarter ended May 4, Best Buy Co. Inc. posted a net loss of $81 million, or 24 cents per diluted share, versus net earnings of $158 million, or 46 cents per diluted share, in the year-earlier period. Comparable store sales fell 1.3% in the quarter with domestic comps down 1.1% and international comps down 2.8%, the retailer announced.

For the first quarter ended May 4, Nordstrom, Inc. has announced that net earnings were $145 million, or 73 cents per diluted share, versus $149 million, or 70 cents per diluted share, in the period last year. According to the company, comparable store sales increased 2.7% versus last year’s quarter.

According to Prosper Insight and Analytics, consumer confidence in a strong economy declined slightly in May from April. Of consumers surveyed in May, 39.3% were optimistic about economic gains versus 40% in April, with Prosper noting that consumer sentiment has zigzagged up and down over the past several months in the face of an uncertain atmosphere.

A new study commissioned by Private Label Manufacturing Association and conducted by GfK Custom Research North America demonstrate that, despite changes in society, women still dominate the retail marketplace. Although women’s roles have changed in recent decades, those who act as primary household purchaser take on the overwhelming bulk of the task.

Twin-Star International has announced that the United States International Trade Commission issued a limited exclusion order barring the importation of all infringing products of Shenzhen Reliap Industrial Co. and Yue Qiu Sheng, both of Shenzhen, China. The ruling comes after an investigation of copyright infringement, Twin-Star stated.

Staples is launching a Sports & Art Photo Gallery to further its goal of becoming a lifestyle product resource for its office and professional goods customers. Staples store shoppers will be able to look through a digital library of licensed professional photographs, featuring images from the NFL and NBA as well as landscapes and fine art, select, then purchase and print.

For the first quarter ended May 4, Kohl’s Corp. has reported that net income decreased to $147 million, or 66 cents per diluted share, from $154 million, or 63 cents per diluted share, for the year-prior period. Comparable store sales decreased 1.9% in the quarter year over year.

Twin-Star International received seven ADEX Awards at their latest presentation this year, the company announced. Top Platinum honors went to the Astoria electric fireplace.

For the first quarter ended April 30, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. posted net income of $3.8 billion, up 1.1% versus the year-earlier period, while diluted earnings per share reached $1.14, a 4.6% advance from $1.09. However, comparable stores sales at namesake stores in the United States fell by 1.4% as overall U.S. comps slipped by 1.2% versus the period last year, the retailer reported.

Haier today announced the appointment of Rian Cain as senior vp/sales & marketing for Home Appliances and Home Comfort. Cain comes to Haier with over 30 years of experience in the appliances industry, according to the company.

The Kroger Co. has named Scott Henderson vp/pension investment and strategy, it has announced. The company also has named Todd Foley vp and treasurer.

For the first quarter ended May 4, Macy’s, Inc. today reported earnings of $217 million, or 55 cents per diluted share, versus $181 million, or 43 cents per diluted share, for the period last year. Comparable store sales increased 3.8% from last year’s first quarter.

Even as it posted first quarter sales results, Five Below, Inc. announced that it was redistributing stock and entering new markets. For the fiscal first quarter, the tween-oriented discount store chain announced that total sales increased 33% to $95.6 million as comparable store sales increased 4.2%.

The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers honored several industry leaders for their contributions to the home appliance industry and to the association during AHAM’s member meeting, held recently in Washington, DC. AHAM presented the Home Appliance Industry Leadership Award to Mike McCrea, senior vp/Canadian operations, Mabe Canada, and Cheri Wright, director of marketing, Kaz, Inc.

Century 21 Department Store is opening a new concept operation at The Outlet Collection/Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth, NJ. With a smaller footprint, the new store offers an elevated shopping experience, the retailer stated, and an edited assortment of designer merchandise from the United States and Europe at up to 65% off retail every day.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores’ Total Store Expo will feature an address by former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, the organization announced. She will bring her experience in government and foreign policy, health care and public service to the expo’s business program, NACDS stated.

Amazon, Inc. has gotten into the electronic currency game and is offering discounts for customers who play along. The online retailer has announced that its customers can now use Amazon Coins, available for purchase on its site, to pay for apps, games and in-app items in the Amazon Appstore and on Kindle Fire, adding that it plans to expand the use of the own-currency to other product areas.

Meijer is the 2013 HomeWorld Business Retail Champion. Meijer is featured in the May 13 edition of HomeWorld Business.

April retail sales, excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants, increased 0.6% seasonally adjusted from last month and 3.9% unadjusted year-over-year, the National Retail Federation announced today. Better employment numbers, increasing housing prices and a record-breaking stock market boosted consumer confidence, according to the organization, factors that also drove total retail and food services sales, which includes automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants, up 0.1% seasonally adjusted month-to-month and up 3.7% adjusted from last year’s April.

According to market research firm comScore, Inc. retail e-commerce sales generated across the United States in the first quarter grew 13% year-over-year to $50.2 billion, marking the 14th consecutive quarter of positive year-over-year growth and 10th consecutive quarter of double-digit gains. The first frame of this fiscal year was only the second quarterly period to surpass $50 billion in spending, comScore emphasized.

For the 13 weeks ended May 4, 2013, Ross Stores, Inc. comparable store sales rose 3% over those in last year’s first quarter, the company reported. Total sales reached $2.54 billion, up 6% from the prior-year period.

Dallas Market Center will feature an array of exhibitors and special events as well as cooking and product demonstrations during the upcoming Total Housewares & Gourmet Market, June 19 to 25. The show also will feature educational opportunities including a presentation by Bob Coviello, president of HTI Buying Group.

For the 13-week period ended May 4, TJX Cos., Inc. announced that consolidated comparable store sales increased 2% over last year’s period. Overall sales reached $6.2 billion, a 7% increase over the 13-week period ended April 28.

Sears Holdings announced today that Jeff Balagna will join the company as executive vp and chief information officer. He most recently served as the chief information officer at Eli Lilly.

On May 16, Meijer will open its 200th store at a location in Swartz Creek, MI, the company’s co-chairman Hank Meijer announced today. The family-owned company opened its first retail operation in 1934 and will mark the 200th store milestone with a ribbon-cutting celebration that will include presentations to the Swartz Creek Food Bank and the Swartz Creek Civic Center enhancement project, the company stated.

Staples, Inc. has appointed Faisal Masud executive vp/global e-commerce, effective May 20. In this newly created role, he will lead online and digital growth, the company announced, and will report to Demos Parneros, president of North American stores and online for Staples.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. has announced that net sales for its fiscal second quarter, ended March 30, were $1 billion, up 14% from sales of $885 million for the year-earlier period. For the first half of the company’s fiscal year, GMCR reported net sales of $2.34 billion, up 15% from sales of $2.04 billion in the prior year’s first half.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. and Starbucks Coffee Co. have signed an agreement that provides for the expansion of their partnership for the manufacturing, marketing, distribution and sale of Starbucks and Tazo brand single-serve packs for use in GMCR's Keurig single-serve brewing systems globally. Starbucks and GMCR first entered into partnership in March 2011.

Pier 1 is getting back into the registry business. The company also may invest in a renewed Pier 1 Kids effort, according to an analyst report.

Target is using Facebook to promote a new application, dubbed Cartwheel, that gives consumers a fresh way to receive discounts from the company. According to a posting in Facebook’s Ap Center, Cartwheel is “a whole new spin on saving,” that allows consumers to sign up and instantly choose from hundreds of exclusive discounts from 5% to 30% available on computer or mobile devices.

SodaStream International Ltd. today reported first quarter revenue gains of 33.9% to $117.6 million from $87.9 million in the 2012 period. The company reported that net income increased 19.5% to $12.1 million compared to $10.1 million in the first quarter 2012, and adjusted net income was $14.5 million compared to $11.5 million in the year-earlier quarter.

Oreck Corp., headquartered Nashville, TN has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, "in order to accommodate a sale as an ongoing business," according to the company's website. The statement on the company site indicated that Oreck is consolidating its assets and restructuring its financing under the protection of Chapter 11, and will continue to operate in the ordinary course of business while the sales process takes place.

For the fiscal first quarter ended March 30, OfficeMax, Inc. posted net income available to common shareholders of $56.3 million, or 64 cents per diluted share, compared to net income of $4.9 million, or six cents per diluted share, in the prior-year period. Adjusted net income was $10.1 million, or 11 cents per diluted share, versus $19 million, or 22 cents per diluted share, in the 2012 first quarter.

Retailers, restaurants and bars were the biggest contributors to April’s employment growth in the United States, according to numbers recently released by the U.S. government and by the International Council of Shopping Centers. ICSC also noted that shopping centers are making net income gains.

In restating results for 2011 and the first quarter of the latest fiscal year, as the company previously announced it would do, Stein Mart, Inc. posted an increase in net income to $25 million, or 57 cents per diluted share, for 2012 from $19.9 million, or 44 cents per diluted share, in previous annum. The retailer also related plans for its e-commerce launch.

Target Corp. is taking a step further along the road to full operations in Canada with its announcement that it is beginning a soft opening process at 22 locations in Western Canada and at two more locations in the region starting on May 14. The soft openings will occur in British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba, and follow the opening of 24 stores across Ontario.

Hearthware, Inc. is celebrating a major sales milestone: 3 million NuWave Pro Infrared Ovens sold. The NuWave Pro Infrared Oven features a patented system combining infrared, conduction and convection heat, using up to 85% less energy than conventional ovens, the company noted.

For the four weeks ended April 27, Rite Aid Corp. comparable store sales decreased 4% from the prior-year period. April front-end comps slipped 3.5%, hit by an earlier Easter this year compared to last, the company stated.

In April, Walgreens generated sales of $5.98 billion, an increase of 3.8% from the same month in fiscal 2012, the retailer announced. Total front-end sales, including general merchandise such as home furnishings and housewares, decreased 2.9% versus the same month in fiscal 2012, while comparable store front-end sales decreased 4.3%.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc., announced that the National Sanitation Foundation has certified its Keurig K150 Series Commercial Brewing System for foodservice use. The Keurig K150 Series is the first small to medium capacity Keurig brewing system to gain certification for use in foodservice outlets, demonstrating the company’s continued commitment to expanding availability of Keurig brewing simplicity, the company stated.

Spectrum Brands reported fiscal second quarter net sales for its Global Batteries & Appliance segment, which includes its Remington personal care and Russell Hobbs small appliance businesses, of $468.6 million, a decline of 2.4% from $480.1 million for the 2012 period. The company attributed the net sales decline to decreased revenues in the small appliance category from the planned and continued elimination of low-margin promotions in North America totaling nearly $10 million.

At its annual shareholders meeting today, Sears Holdings is telling investors it is cutting costs and “unlocking value" by divesting and selling real estate. At the same time, the retailer said it is advancing through its operation of loyalty card and e-commerce programs.

NACCO Industries today reported first quarter net income for its Hamilton Beach small appliance division was $1.5 million compared with $1 million in the first quarter of 2012. According to the company, the increase was primarily the result of increased sales of higher-margin products, favorable foreign currency movements and lower interest expense, partially offset by a moderate increase in product costs and higher selling, general and administrative expenses.

For the three months ended March 31, CVS Caremark Corp. posted a 23.1% gain in income from continuing operations to $956 million. Adjusted earnings per share were 83 cents versus 65 cents in the first quarter of 2012, an increase of 28.1%.

Big Lots, Inc. has announced that it named David Campisi CEO and president effective May 6. He succeeds Steve Fishman, who announced in December 2012 his intention to retire upon the appointment of a successor.

The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers announced new leadership at its annual member meeting in Washington, DC. AHAM's board filled two officer vacancy terms expiring in 2014 by approving first vice chair D. Jeffrey Noel, corporate vp/communications and public affairs, Whirlpool Corp., and second vice chair Manuel Cortez, senior vp/operations, Groupe SEB USA.

To support growth and fill job vacancies, Dollar General has reported that it will hire 10,000 new employees in May across its store and distribution network. The retailer will hold career fairs to recruit candidates throughout the month, it stated, in the 40 states that the network serves.

Tomorrow, Walgreens will conduct the official opening of its newest flagship store, located at School and Washington streets in Boston. The company designed the store to include an extensive collection of innovative offerings, products and services unexpected from a drugstore, among them, a LOOK Boutique department that serves as the core of a beauty operation including expanded assortments of everything from cosmetics to electric tools such as curling irons.