Content about Easter

November 7, 2011
CVS' Eileen Howard Boone elected to Easter Seals' international board

Easter Seals has elected CVS Caremark SVP corporate communications and community relations Eileen Howard Boone to its international board of directors on Monday during its annual convention in Washington, D.C.

CHICAGO — Easter Seals has elected CVS Caremark SVP corporate communications and community relations Eileen Howard Boone to its international board of directors on Monday during its annual convention in Washington, D.C.

Boone has served as an honorary member of Easter Seals' international board of directors for the past year.

October 20, 2011
Seasonal sales sweeten category

Seasonal candy powers the category. Last year, chocolate and nonchocolate seasonal sales were strong for Valentine’s Day and Easter.

Seasonal candy powers the category. Last year, chocolate and nonchocolate seasonal sales were strong for Valentine’s Day and Easter. Data from the National Confectioners Association showed that slight markdowns taken one week before the holiday can generate a significant spike in sales and leave retailers with less product to move at higher markdowns after the holiday.

Since licensed merchandise is a big part of the profitable seasonal category, retailers need a mix that appeals to both genders.

 

 

September 19, 2011
Peeps gears up for Halloween with new candy

Peeps has crafted a treat in time for Halloween.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Peeps has crafted a treat in time for Halloween.

The brand has released its chocolate dipped orange marshmallow chicks, which are dressed in a festive orange and dipped in a layer of creamy milk or rich dark chocolate. The latest Peeps candy in available in a 3-count package.

July 28, 2011
CVS Caremark invests in Easter Seals' Make the First Five Count initiative

CVS Caremark, through its All Kids Can program, has partnered with Easter Seals over the past six years to support children at risk of autism, developmental delays or disabilities. CVS Caremark is continuing its support by investing in Easter Seals' Make the First Five Count initiative to help assure children receive critical early intervention services.

CHICAGO — CVS Caremark, through its All Kids Can program, has partnered with Easter Seals over the past six years to support children at risk of autism, developmental delays or disabilities. CVS Caremark is continuing its support by investing in Easter Seals' Make the First Five Count initiative to help assure children receive critical early intervention services.

May 5, 2011
Target withstands Walmart's aggressive pricing, assortment message

The 13.1% increase in same-store sales Target reported for April was toward the low end of the company’s projection of an increase in the mid-teens, and begs the question whether Walmart’s mid-month launch of a new marketing campaign contributed to the weakness.

MINNEAPOLIS — The 13.1% increase in same-store sales Target reported for April was toward the low end of the company’s projection of an increase in the mid-teens, and begs the question whether Walmart’s mid-month launch of a new marketing campaign contributed to the weakness.

May 5, 2011
Wholesale clubs report rise in April sales

Sales during the month of April edged up for wholesalers Costco and BJ's Wholesale Club, the companies reported Thursday.

NEW YORK — Sales during the month of April edged up for wholesalers Costco and BJ's Wholesale Club, the companies reported Thursday.

Issaquah, Wash.-based Costco reported a 17% increase for the four weeks ended May 1 to $6.8 billion, compared with the year-ago period. For the period ended April 30, BJ's disclosed a sales increase of 12.2% to $871.7 million, compared with April 2010.

May 4, 2011
Walgreens comps rise for April

Sales for Walgreens during the month of April edged up 5.5%, thanks to a boost in both front-end and pharmacy sectors.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Sales for Walgreens during the month of April edged up 5.5%, thanks to a boost in both front-end and pharmacy sectors.

The drug store chain said that total front-end sales experienced a 9.4% boost, while comparable front-end sales benefited from the later Easter holiday with a 6.5% increase.

April 18, 2011
Rite Aid gears up for Easter

Rite Aid is showcasing new candy varieties for last-minute Easter shoppers, the pharmacy retailer said Monday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is showcasing new candy varieties for last-minute Easter shoppers, the pharmacy retailer said Monday.

The National Confectioners Association ranked Easter as one of the top-selling holidays for candy and estimated that 16 billion jelly beans and 90 million chocolate Easter bunnies are produced each year. Four-in-5 Americans celebrate Easter and are expected to spend about $14.6 billion during the holiday at all retailers nationwide, according to the National Retail Federation.

April 7, 2011
Fred's monthly sales rise; moves ahead with 2011 operating plan

Fred's on Thursday reported a 3% increase in sales for the five weeks ended April 2, reaching $188.8 million.

MEMPHIS — Fred's on Thursday reported a 3% increase in sales for the five weeks ended April 2, reaching $188.8 million.

Comparable-store sales for the month rose 0.7%, versus an increase of 3.6% in the same period last year.

April 7, 2011
NRF projects boost for Easter sales

Retailers may be worried that the late Easter holiday could negatively impact sales, but a new survey conducted on behalf of the National Retail Federation noted that consumers intend to spend more this year than in 2010.

WASHINGTON — Retailers may be worried that the late Easter holiday could negatively impact sales, but a new survey conducted on behalf of the National Retail Federation noted that consumers intend to spend more this year than in 2010.

April 7, 2011
Target's March sales drop

Target's March sales dropped 4.5% to $5.95 billion, compared with the year-ago period.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target's March sales dropped 4.5% to $5.95 billion, compared with the year-ago period.

The retailer also disclosed that comparable-store sales for the five weeks dropped 5.5%, which was in line with expectations, as they reflected the later timing of the Easter holiday, according to the company's chairman, president and CEO, Gregg Steinhafel.

"Our stores are well-prepared for the upcoming Easter season, and we continue to expect a mid-teens increase in Target's April comparable-store sales," Steinhafel noted.

April 6, 2011
Celebrating special moments with Blu-ray, DVD release of family films

April marks Family Moments Month, and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is celebrating with the Blu-ray and DVD release of several films for the whole family to enjoy.

LOS ANGELES — April marks Family Moments Month, and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is celebrating with the Blu-ray and DVD release of several films for the whole family to enjoy.

Part of Fox's yearlong Million Moments campaign, the studio releases films group thematically by month.

April 5, 2011
Walgreens' March sales jump

Walgreens on Tuesday reported March sales of $6.3 billion, an increase of 7.6%. Duane Reade stores, acquired in April 2010, contributed 280 basis points to the total sales increase for the month.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Tuesday reported March sales of $6.3 billion, an increase of 7.6%. Duane Reade stores, acquired in April 2010, contributed 280 basis points to the total sales increase for the month.

Total front-end sales increased 8.4% in March, including 470 basis points from Duane Reade stores. Despite the negative impact of this year’s later Easter, which falls on April 24 compared with April 4 last year, comparable-store front-end sales increased 1.6%. Customer traffic in comparable stores increased 0.8%, while basket size increased 0.8%.

March 23, 2011
Indie Candy gears up for Easter with allergen-free options

Indie Candy is taking on Easter with its new allergen-free Easter candy line.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Indie Candy is taking on Easter with its new allergen-free Easter candy line.

Indie Candy's 2011 Easter line includes Easter bunnies, Easter eggs, spring flowers and carrots collections.

For its Easter bunnies line, Indie Candy has introduced such varieties as gummies in key lime, watermelon and pineapple flavors; a chocolate Funny Bunny face lollipop; a chocolate Peter Rabbit full-body bunny lollipop; and a solid chocolate free-standing bunny in a gold box.

February 22, 2011
Peeps unveils Easter offerings

Peeps are diving into chocolate for the Easter holiday.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Peeps are diving into chocolate for the Easter holiday.

New this Easter to the Peeps lineup are Peepsters and Peeps chocolate dipped chicks, providing Peeps fans their favorite marshmallow candies with a twist. Peepsters are bite-size, individually wrapped candies that are available in milk and dark chocolate, while Peeps chocolate dipped chicks give Peeps fans an updated taste on the classic candy by adding either a milk chocolate or dark chocolate covering at the bottom of each chick.

January 20, 2011
Strawberry Shortcake puts on the glitz in new DVD

Looking to delight Strawberry Shortcake fans this Easter, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is bringing the beloved character to DVD in a new musical.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Looking to delight Strawberry Shortcake fans this Easter, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is bringing the beloved character to DVD in a new musical.

In its partnership with American Greetings, "Strawberry Shortcake: Puttin’ on The Glitz," tells a story of heart-to-heart makeover magic and features Strawberry Shortcake and her friends.

The DVD arrives March 22 for a suggested retail price of $14.98.

January 12, 2011
Wubbzy celebrates Easter in 'egg-cellent' DVD

Prepare for an "egg-citing" Easter adventure from Nick Jr.'s popular animated series.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Prepare for an "egg-citing" Easter adventure from Nick Jr.'s popular animated series.

"Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!" will be featured in a brand-new, special seasonal DVD, "Wubbzy's Egg-cellent Easter." The latest DVD release from Anchor Bay Entertainment tells the story of Wubbzy and his pals celebrating the first day of spring with a game of kickity-kickball and discovering new ways to decorate eggs for the annual Easter egg hunt.

January 10, 2010
Seasonal candy sweetens sales, merch opportunities

Seasonal candy always has provided a bump in confectionery sales for retailers, and sales of...