Deerfield, IL  (Profitable.com)  In what many expect to be a breakout holiday season for mobile shopping, Walgreens (NYSE: WAG) (NASDAQ: WAG) is adding scannable coupons to its award-winning mobile applications, offering exclusive discounts to its smartphone customers beginning “Black Friday,” Nov. 25.

Coupons will range in value from 50 cents to $5 and will be good toward a variety of products including beauty items, gifts, consumables and everyday essentials, such as diapers. Scannable coupons provide optimal convenience with no clipping or printing required. Cashiers simply scan a coupon straight from a user’s smartphone.

With mobile scanning capabilities at all of the more than 7,700 Walgreens stores nationwide, this is the largest retail mobile coupon program in the U.S.

“We’re enhancing the shopping experience by giving our mobile customers greater convenience and exclusive savings during the holiday season,” said Sona Chawla, Walgreens president of E-commerce. “Through our mobile application, no matter where people are, they can find an easy way to save next time they come to Walgreens – just download the app and you’re ready to shop.”

Coupons will be offered through the Walgreens mobile application from Nov. 25 through Dec. 24. Details regarding post-Christmas coupon programs are not yet available.

Other Walgreens mobile shopping features include:

• View the weekly ad and the latest sales
• Shop directly from any smartphone
• Browse products and check in-store availability
• Receive text alerts regarding special offers and exclusive deals

The Walgreens mobile application is free and can be downloaded by searching for “Walgreens” in smartphone application stores or marketplaces for iPhone, Android and BlackBerry. Standard data and text messaging rates may apply, internet connectivity is required at time of transaction for coupon to be accessible.

About Walgreens

Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation’s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2011 sales of $72 billion. The company operates 7,786 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each day, Walgreens provides nearly 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.

Yonkers, NY  (Profitable.com)  Frugality must be time-consuming because although many Americans plan to cut back slightly on their holiday spending this year, they won’t be cutting back their time spent on shopping itself. On average, adults will spend, on average, 19 hours gift-hunting this holiday season – 27 percent more than last year, according to a new Consumer Reports Holiday Shopping Poll. Meanwhile, twice as many consumers will be spending less money this season (33 percent) than more (15 percent), according to a previous poll by Consumer Reports.

The full results of the Consumer Reports Holiday Shopping Poll are available at www.ConsumerReports.org.

The new Consumer Reports poll found that nine in ten (94 percent) Americans will shop in stores this holiday season, while only 55 percent plan to shop online. Of those who will make trips to stores, 29 percent, or 51.2 million people plan to go gift-shopping on Black Friday, up 3 percentage points from last year. Forty percent have already started to shop as of early November.

“With all the negative indicators for the 2011 winter holiday shopping season, like consumers’ worsening mood and increased belt-tightening – which our polls have borne out, it’s a bright spot that Americans actually plan spend more time shopping for gifts and presumably hunting for good deals,” said Tod Marks, Consumer Reports senior editor and resident shopping expert.

Shopping Deals

Fifty-six percent of adults believe that online and in-store deals will be equal this holiday season. However, half of these gift shoppers expect to find out about these deals through email, one in three (32 percent) through deal or coupon websites, one in five (21 percent) through Facebook, and one in six (18 percent) through smart phone or tablet apps.

Choosing the Right Gift

When it comes to choosing the right gifts, eight in ten (85 percent) consumers rely on advice from friends and family, 64 percent decide based on user reviews of products, about half rely on commercials and advertisements (54 percent) or expert reviews (53%), while one in three (33 percent) use advice from salespeople.

Electronics and gadgets figure to be popular holiday gifts this year, according to the Consumer Reports Poll. Seventeen percent of respondents plan to purchase an Apple iPad. The Leapfrog® LeapPad is on the shopping lists of 14 percent of adults, while one in ten (10 percent) plan to purchase the Apple iPhone 4S. Other items that were near the top of the list include: the Sesame Street Let’s Rock! Elmo, the Amazon Kindle Fire, a 3D television set, Fisher-Price’s Sing-A-Ma-Jigs, and an Internet-ready television. The only non-electronic item on our list is the Barbie Pink 3-Story Dream Townhouse.

How Americans Will Spend Their Holiday Time

All-in-all, Americans plan to spend an average of 48 hours on holiday-related activities this year, according to the Consumer Reports poll. The breakdown is as follows:

• 19 hours shopping for gifts
• 14 hours celebrating with friends or family
• 9 hours traveling
• 3 hours waiting in checkout lines
• 3 hours wrapping gifts

Consumer Reports Holiday Shopping Poll Methodology

The Consumer Reports National Research Center conducted a telephone survey of a nationally representative probability sample of telephone households. 1,013 interviews were completed among adults aged 18+ between November 4-7, 2011. The margin of error is +/- 3.1% points at a 95% confidence level. To allow for year-over-year trending, data was standardized for consistency.

Consumer Reports is the world’s largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website and other publications.   Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.

NOVEMBER 2011

The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves.  We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports®, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent commercial use of its materials, its name, or the name of Consumer Reports®.

San Bruno, CA  (Profitable.com)  Walmart (NYSE: WMT) is giving customers yet another big gift this season with free shipping to home on all electronics(1) over $45, available starting today. This special holiday offer includes the hottest HDTVs, laptops, iPods, cameras, eReaders and more, and is available now through December 19 at Walmart.com.

“Our customers are stretched for time and dollars this season and we want to give them incredible shipping savings on the gifts they want most,” said Joel Anderson, president and CEO of Walmart.com. “With free shipping to home on electronics gifts at Walmart.com, along with our free shipping to more than 3,800 Walmart stores across the U.S., we can save customers more time and money to help make Christmas even easier for their families.”

Electronics are predicted to be the most desired holiday gifts this season, and customers plan to spend an average of $246 on electronics gifts this holiday, according to the Consumer Electronics Association(2). With free shipping, getting the hottest gifts on a broad assortment of electronics just got easier and now costs less at Walmart.com.

Customers can enjoy free shipping to home on the hottest electronics this holiday season, including:

• LG 42″ LED 1080p HDTV – $549
• HP Sweet Purple 15.6″ Pavilion laptop – $428
• Nikon COOLPIX S3100 14MP Digital Camera – $99.95
• Kodak 10MP M200 Digital Camera Bundle – $79
• TomTom EASE 3.5″ GPS – $55

Eligible items are shipped for free via standard shipping and delivered to customers’ doors within 3-5 business days after processing. Return shipping is also free, or customers can conveniently return online orders to a local Walmart store(3). As an added convenience, Walmart.com will continue to offer competitive values for expedited home delivery.

More Ways to Save on Shipping

Customers can also choose free shipping in several easy ways on Walmart.com. Also, more information is available at www.walmart.com/freeshipping.

• Site to Store: order online, get free shipping to a local Walmart store; available on hundreds of thousands of items
• Pick Up Today: order online and pick up the same day at any local Walmart store
• Home Free: free shipping to home on all electronics, apparel, consumables, and special seasonal items on purchases of $45 or more.

(1) Offer not valid on iPads, freight items or Walmart Marketplace items. Shipping surcharges may still apply in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

(2)18th Annual CE Holiday Purchase Pattern Study (Oct. 2011)

(3)Marketplace items cannot be returned to stores

About Walmart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at over 9,700 retail units under 69 different banners in 28 countries. With fiscal year 2011 sales of $419 billion, Walmart employs 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://walmartstores.com and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.

Salt Lake City, UT  (Profitable.com)  It seems counterintuitive, but when it comes to employee blogs, sometimes the best posts contain moderate criticism of corporate policy, service or even products, says a new study from the University of Utah.

That is the surprising conclusion of a paper co-authored by Rohit Aggarwal, assistant professor of Information Systems at the university’s David Eccles School of Business. He notes that while some companies have reprimanded or even fired employees over “negative” posts, others have adopted policies tolerating or even encouraging criticism.

In “Blog, Blogger, and the Firm: Can Negative Posts by Employees Lead to Positive Outcomes?” which has been accepted for a forthcoming edition of the Information Research Journal (http://isr.journal.informs.org), Aggarwal contends that “our analysis suggests that negative posts act as a catalyst and can exponentially increase the readership of employee blogs.”

Visitors to corporate/employee blogs do not expect to see anything but positive commentary on company products and services. Critical commentary is seen as reflecting integrity of employees and honesty and openness from the company about their products or services.

“There is some merit in allowing negative posts” by company blogging policy-setters, suggest Aggarwal and coauthors Ram Gopal and Ramesh Sankaranarayanan of the University of Connecticut and Param Vir Singh of Carnegie Mellon University. “Permitting a few negative posts to increase readership should be a good strategy.”

Aggarwal and his colleagues also found that while a few negative posts served to season perceived legitimacy of corporate/employee blogs, too many negative blogs can reverse that initial, favorable reaction from readers. In other words, all things in moderation – including online criticism.

“We found that the optimal percentage for negative posts is about 15 percent to 20 percent,” Aggarwal says. “Beyond that, you may get more readership but there also is more negative impact on the company in terms of reputation and possibly sales.”

So, what does the research suggest for executives in the process of drafting or re-writing their policies on blog content? In a word: vigilance.

“We are not advocating, for instance, that a firm should actively encourage its employees to post negative comments on their blogs. Firms may not choose to restrict certain types of negative posts, which is different from actually encouraging negative posts,” the paper states.

That said, Aggarwal adds that his research suggests that companies should be more open toward “allowing employees more freedom to write and freedom to express” even as they “track blogs to see what the ratio of negative posts is to positive ones.”

A high negative-to-positive blog post ratio can also serve as a canary in a coal mine, allowing a company to proactively react to brewing discontent among employees. “If the (negative) ratio is too high, they can talk with those employees about their concerns. But while they should monitor those blogs, they should not stifle all criticism.”

You can read Aggarwal’s paper in full by visiting http://bit.ly/empblogs.

About the David Eccles School of Business

Founded in 1917 in Salt Lake City, the David Eccles School of Business has programs in entrepreneurship, technology innovation and venture capital management. Emphasizing interdisciplinary education and experiential learning, it launched the country’s largest student-run venture capital fund with $18.3 million (the largest in the United States), and is home to the Pierre Lassonde Entrepreneur Center and the Sorenson Center for Discovery and Innovation. Approximately 3,500 students are enrolled in its undergraduate, graduate and executive degree programs. For more information, visit www.business.utah.edu.

Contacts

Amazon's 'Countdown to Black Friday' Offers Early Deals for Online Shoppers

(Profitable.com)  The holiday shopping season has been quietly sneaking up on consumers. In just a few days the largest  shopping day on the planet will be here, Black Friday.

The day after Thanksgiving is traditionally the busiest shopping day for would be consumers that are looking for outrageous deals and savings. These groups of shoppers are the hardcore shoppers that will camp out on a cold frigid night just to get the best deals possible. This season things will be a little different.

E-commerce is expected to see a huge boost in sales as 58% of shoppers are planning on shopping online. Sleeping on a cold sidewalk is not necessary in order to save loads of cash. Online retail giant Amazon.com is luring shoppers to their website with their annual Countdown to Black Friday deals and savings. Shoppers can start getting deals now, and they just get better with every passing day.

With Amazon’s Countdown to Black Friday, shoppers will find that great deals don’t just happen every day, they happen every few minutes. That is the good news. The bad news is that some of the insane deals are in limited quantity. Not only will they sell out once a certain limit has been reached, but these deals are also timed. Once the timer counts down to zero, that particular deal is no longer valid.  Shoppers must get these deals while they last.

This is no different than traditional brick and mortar stores where all sales items have extremely limited availability. The advantage for holiday shoppers is the simple fact that they can shop from anywhere. There are no lines to wait in, no riots or fights over products, and some of the best deals can be found while shoppers are still in their pajamas. Smart shoppers will take advantage of Amazon’s Countdown to Black Friday this holiday season.

Big Lots Announces Spectacular Holiday Savings

Columbus, OH  (Profitable.com)  In a year when bargains are still the name of the game for many consumers, Big Lots is going all out to help customers make the most of their holiday shopping dollars. The retailer’s message to the budget-minded? Make Big Lots part of your holiday savings strategy!

“We’ve enhanced our offerings in areas where our customers have said they need more selection,” said Doug Wurl, Executive Vice President of Merchandising. “We’ve expanded our Christmas decor, pet, and electronics departments, including kids’ interactive and educational product, all with the goal of delivering extreme value.”

The season features a host of hot deals on exclusive items, interactive and educational toys, electronic games, gifts, licensed products, and more.

Big names, big deals

By purchasing brand name overstocks and through relationships with leading manufacturers, Big Lots offers tremendous savings to customers. This year’s assortments are a deal-hunter’s treasure trove. “We’ve worked hard this year to deliver an outstanding line-up of products,” stated Rob Claxton, Senior Vice President of Marketing. “We want to surprise and delight customers every week in every ad with unexpected deals that really deliver on our strong value positioning.” Highlights include:

Electronics and entertainment. Deep discounts on popular gifts like digital tablets, e-readers, electronic games, DVD players, headphones, and docking stations. New brands include IHOME, PANDIGITAL, SKULL CANDY and more!  Kids’ interactive and educational games and toys will include products from VTECH and LEAP FROG, as well as licensed product from DISNEY and the CARS brand.

Toys, toys, toys! Rock-bottom prices on all the favorites, including a large assortment of BARBIE, DISNEY PRINCESS, KNEX, MEGABLOCKS, and FISHER-PRICE.

‘Tis the season. Our expanded Trim-a-Tree department features all new “cashmere” soft bristle pre-lit trees, plus the hot new lighted branch decor, and musical pathway markers. Shoppers will also enjoy expanded assortments of boxed cards, multipack gift bags and giftwrap at amazing values! If customers can’t find what they want to decorate their homes at Big Lots, they won’t find it!

Holiday kitchen. Everything cooks need to trim out a holiday feast. Incredible deals from MR. COFFEE, CROCK POT, HAMILTON BEACH, CUISINART, ANCHOR HOCKING and more! From coffee makers and slow cookers to skillets and bakeware.

High home fashion. Just in time for the holidays, Big Lots will introduce JESSICA MCCLINTOCK HOME designer home furnishings at unbelievable prices. Items include luxury faux fur throws, pillows, bedding, dinnerware, and accessories.

Fireplace headquarters. Big Lots is making sure everyone has a place to hang those stockings and holiday cards with its huge selection of electric fireplaces. Plug in and enjoy the hot savings.

Pet stuff. The best gifts at extreme values in our expanded line-up for four-legged, furry, and feathered members of the family. Special holiday treats and toys, pet beds, outfits, and more from leading manufacturers!

Beat the rush

People who want to shop before Thanksgiving will find deep discounts on a wide assortment of gifts for everyone on their list. For those who love the real thrill of shopping at Christmas, this year Big Lots has doubled the number of advertised items for Black Friday. Stores will open at 6 a.m. and feature unbelievable deals like 30″ DAKIN bears for just $5 (limit 1/family, 50/average store), CUISINART small appliances with savings from 44% to 68%, a great deal on a PANDIGITAL tablet, an e-reader, and there should be no better prices on DVDs or video games than at Big Lots on this day. For customers who want to see the ad before it’s distributed and see other daily specials for the week of Thanksgiving, the ad will be posted online on Monday, November 21at biglots.com. Big lots will be open with special offers on Thanksgiving Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

About Big Lots, Inc.

Big Lots is North America’s largest broadline closeout retailer. The company currently operates over 1,450 BIG LOTS stores in the 48 contiguous United States and 85 LIQUIDATION WORLD and LW stores in Canada. Wholesale operations are conducted through BIG LOTS WHOLESALE, CONSOLIDATED INTERNATIONAL, and WISCONSIN TOY. For more information, visit www.biglots.com.

Hoffman Estates, IL  (Profitable.com)  This holiday, Kmart is bringing smiles to kids and parents alike with a special one-day-only doorbuster(1) on the season’s must-have toys. From 8 a.m. to noon (local time) this Saturday, Nov. 19, shoppers can buy any one toy and get one half off (2) on all in-store or online toy purchases. This deal is the latest way Kmart is living up to its “Smile Guarantee.” In fact, the hottest toys, Kmart’s Fab 15 toy list, are over performing on the smile index and causing extreme excitement—a condition in kids that the retailer has identified as N.U.T.S.O. (Nearly Uncontrollable Toy Smile Outbreak).

Luckily, Kmart’s official “Fun Ambassador” Rico Rodriguez has the scoop on this “disorder,” which can be found in a video clip on www.Kmart.com/Fab15. Rodriguez helps inform concerned parents about the temporary condition and also hosts a N.U.T.S.O. generator where kids—with the help of their parents—can upload their personal photos to see their own smile outbreaks.

“We at Kmart are always thinking about improving our customers’ lives, and we are thrilled that our Fab 15 toy list is exceeding its ‘smile guarantee’ quotient,” said Hugo Malan, SVP and president, fitness, sporting goods and toys. “But we wouldn’t be doing our job if we weren’t helping prepare parents for the holidays with the hottest toys that will make kids go N.U.T.S.O. on Christmas morning. That’s why we’ve made sure the toys on our Fab 15 list are the best on the market, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”

The Fab 15 list features the hottest toys of the season from top brands including Hasbro, Mattel and Fisher Price, as well as popular characters that kids know and love like Barbie, Dora, Elmo and more. All items on the Fab 15 list are guaranteed to make kids smile, and in fact are doing such a good job at meeting that guarantee that we are now faced with the situation of countless children going N.U.T.S.O.

To create even more smiles and help customers have their best holiday ever, Kmart offers layaway options, allowing shoppers to secure the top holiday gifts now before they are sold out later in the season. Kmart’s layaway plan can also help reduce stress by letting parents shop early and get great value.

Customers can shop for all of the hottest holiday toys, including the Fab 15, at their local Kmart store nationwide or online at www.Kmart.com/toys. All the toys featured on this year’s Kmart Fab 15 list range from $29.99 to $99.99.

For more information, visit www.Kmart.com/Fab15 throughout the holiday season to see how the Fab 15 “Smile Guarantee”—and going N.U.T.S.O.—affect kids everywhere.

About Kmart

Kmart, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a mass merchandising company that offers customers quality products through a portfolio of exclusive brands that include Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, County Living and Route 66. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.kmart.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at www.searsholdings.com.

(1) While quantities last. No rain checks.
(2) Of equal or lesser value.  Offer excludes any clearance items.

Grand Rapids, MI  (Profitable.com)  Meijer is kick-starting the holiday season by providing customers with an early present: a digital look at the Midwest supercenter chain’s Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday door buster deals. The announcement was made today by Kevin Brown, chief marketing officer of the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer.

“Preparing for the holidays can be very stressful, but by sharing our great ads early we can minimize stress for our customers and help them plan all aspects of their shopping, regardless if they are shopping for holiday dinner or gifts,” Brown said. “Meijer provides customers with a one-stop shopping experience, and we want to help our customers take advantage of all the ways we are going to help them save money.”

Links to the Meijer Black Friday and Thanksgiving Day ad previews were sent today to customers who currently receive e-mail alerts from Meijer, as well as the nearly 500,000 Meijer Facebook likes and Twitter followers.

This year, Meijer will continue its tradition of offering a variety of exciting door buster deals on three different days – Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday and Saturday – to accommodate customers’ holiday shopping preferences. Examples of a few hot door busters include:

• Buy one iPad 2 starting at $499 from 6 a.m. to midnight (Thanksgiving only) and receive a coupon for $80 off your next shopping trip at Meijer.
• A Microsoft X-Box 360 Kinect Sensor Bundle will be available for $199 on Thanksgiving only.
• A Nintendo Wii will be available for $99 from 4 a.m. to noon on Black Friday.
• The iPod Touch 8GB will be available for $195 on Black Friday; includes a $40 coupon off your next Meijer shopping trip.
• Caterpillar Men’s Jacket will be available for $20 on Black Friday.
• Lego sets will be available for $15 on Black Friday.
• Assorted Monster High Dolls will be available for $6 on Black Friday.

Anyone wishing to receive access to the ad previews can visit www.connect.Meijer.com to register by signing-up for e-mail alerts or connecting via Facebook or Twitter. The Toy, Electronic & Holiday Gift Guides are already available online, highlighting the top gift items of 2011. While customers can see the ads prior to distribution, the preview does not change the effective date of the advertised products.

Of course, holiday shopping at Meijer would not be complete without Santa Bucks. This year, Meijer also plans to offer digital Santa Bucks through the company’s mPerks digital coupon program, which will allow customers the ease of digitally clipping the always-popular coupons using their text-enabled cell phones.

The Meijer mPerks program was launched in the fall of 2010 and has nearly 450,000 subscribers, with more than 5,000 joining the program each week. Access to Meijer mPerks is free; customers can register at Meijer.com/mperks.

About Meijer

Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 197 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. As the inventor of the “one-stop shopping” concept, Meijer stores have evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive electronics departments, garden centers and apparel offerings.

For more information on Meijer and the ability to shop for more, please visit www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/meijer or like Meijer at www.facebook.com/meijer.

Merrimack, NH  (Profitable.com)  Product development company and specialty retailer, Brookstone has re-set the holiday clock this year, offering Black Friday deals all Thanksgiving week.  Starting Tuesday, November 22 and earlier, shoppers can give the gift of massage and feel the love all year long, or trick out the iPad tablet from Santa’s sleigh.

“Our goal this year is to offer Black Friday deals earlier in the week to maximize consumers’ time and add value,” said Brookstone CEO Ron Boire. “Knowing the Brookstone deals are valid four days before Black Friday gives shoppers plenty of time to beat the rush, get a jump on their holiday list, and sleep a little late on the 25th,”  added Boire.

Airport Exclusive              
Travel should be rewarded. Get $10 off any $50 purchase at a Brookstone airport store from Nov 22-27.  Maximize your travel time with holiday shopping.

Brookstone Holiday Deals – “Thanksgiving Week”            
Offers Valid Nov. 22-27, 2011

Brookstone is the destination for hundreds of gifts under $50!

$100 off on uSqueez® Pro foot massager. Give the gift of massage. Enjoy a gentle vibration to an intense massage for your calves, ankles and feet. $299.

Give the gift of luxury with a n*a*p® 3-in-1 Spa Comfort Set. Save $10 and get a $20 gift card with purchase of this plush robe, soft flip-flops and soothing eye mask set.

Tune into your music in style with Brookstone’s Earbuds trade in – Get $10 off earbuds $50+; Get $5 off earbuds under $50. Your choice – just for showing any old set of earbuds!

Save $50 on big sound with Boombox for iPad® Tablet. Docks, charges and plays your iPod®, iPhone® or iPad device — includes FM radio!  $99.99. Starts Nov 18!

Save $20 on the Video Pen. This cool pen takes full-color video and works as a real pen. (In stores only).

Save $10 on Boogie Board® LCD Writing Tablet with Stylus Holder and save paper with the tablet that displays your notes until you erase them.

Brookstone offers serious elf help with stocking stuffers starting at just $6.99! Receive a free stocking with purchase of 4 stocking stuffers.  While supplies last.

Black Friday Midnight Openings              
Select Brookstone stores will open with malls at midnight. Shoppers won’t be left in the dark – they’ll get a free Astro Super Lite with any purchase.  Black Friday, midnight to 8 a.m., Friday, November 25.

Brookstone, Inc., is an innovative product development company and specialty retailer of unique gifts. Brookstone operates 300 stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico. Typically located in high-traffic regional shopping malls and airports, the stores feature unique and innovative consumer products. The Company also operates a Direct Marketing business that includes the Brookstone catalog and an e-commerce Website at Brookstone.com. Fans of the Company are encouraged to Like Brookstone on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

Product prices and availability subject to change without notice.

CONTACT:
Kristina Lynch, Tara Ink
+1-305-864-3434, extension 153
Kristina@taraink.com

Atlanta, GA  (Profitable.com)  Every year, retailers shore up their loss prevention efforts to better prepare for increased crime, store traffic and longer business hours. Yet current events and projections suggest that this year, special event management, protest preparations and return fraud prevention should be high on loss prevention (LP) professionals’ list.

Today, Wren Solutions, a loss-prevention technology provider helping leading retailers reduce loss and increase profits, released the first of three advisories in the month of November, pinpointing three key trends unique to 2011 and how LP professionals can best prepare for them.

“Retailers are facing some unique challenges this year. With additional insight and preparation, loss prevention teams can formulate strategies to ensure safe events and promotions, protect the customer experience, and support profitability,” said Andrew Wren, CEO of Wren.

According to retail experts at Wren, three top risk-causing trends for which retailers must be prepared are as follows:

• More Special Events – According to the National Retail Federation, average holiday spend will be down slightly from last year. Additionally, nearly six in ten shoppers say they plan to take advantage of retailers’ sales and discounts to make additional non-gift purchases for themselves and their families this holiday season. Promotions, special events and sales, always common during the holidays, will be especially prevalent in 2011. LP managers should take special care to plan and prepare for these special events to maintain safety of customers and protection of assets.

• Occupy Wall Street Hits Main Street – In light of the widespread Occupy Wall Street movement, retailers should also prepare for unexpected groups of people protesting around the store. The majority of LP’s work lies in preparing for potentially disruptive demonstrations, handling logistics to ensure the safety of customers and protecting storefronts that may be at risk of being vandalized.

• Return Fraud Is Up Along with ORC - In tough economic times, crime is always more prevalent. Return fraud is always high after the holidays, but may be even higher than usual on the heels of the 2011 holiday season. The National Retail Federation’s 2011 Organized Retail Crime Survey found that 95 percent of retailers reported being a victim of organized retail crime in the past 12 months, up 6 percent from 2010. Return fraud presents a major window of opportunity for criminals to perpetrate fraud and retailers should have their processes tied down to minimize abuses.

Visit the Wren Blog for posts on these topics over the next three weeks as well as other tips, discussions and content designed to help retailers minimize risk and loss.

About Wren

For nearly 30 years, Wren Solution has served leading retailers with technologies that help loss prevention professionals reduce loss, increase profits and rise as heroes in their companies. The company’s solutions, including enterprise-class video management software, access control systems, LP and operational assessments, surveillance cameras and hardware, and professional services, enable retail organizations to lower shrink and protect people, assets and facilities, while empowering them with operational insights for better performance. Established in 1983 and headquartered in Jefferson City, MO, Wren is a member of the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), the Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC), the National Retail Federation (NRF) and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA). Visit us at www.wrensolutions.com.

Copyright © 2011 Wren. All rights reserved.

Wren®, the Wren logo, Encapsulon®, the Encapsulon logos, and The Power to See Your Business are trademarks of Wren. The trademarks that are followed by ® are registered trademarks in the U.S. All other trademarks and/or registered trademarks mentioned herein are properties of their respective owners and are for reference purposes only. The use of such third party trademarks does not indicate any affiliation with or sponsorship of or by Wren.

Patents US 6,847,393 & 7,474,330

Fort Worth, TX  (Profitable.com)  RadioShack Corp. (NYSE: RSH), a leading national retailer of innovative mobile and personal technology products, services and accessories, has launched a Mobile Product Support service available at no cost to customers who purchase mobile devices, including tablets, in-store at any of RadioShack’s 4,500 U.S. retail locations.

Starting today, in an effort to provide an industry-leading mobility customer experience, all purchases of mobile devices will include free specialist support, whereby customers will have the ability to connect 24 hours a day with specially trained Wireless Specialists via phone, live chat, email, or in online forums. In addition, a proprietary Mobile Product Support application is available for download in the Android Marketplace. An application for iOS devices is planned for release in early 2012.

“RadioShack is pleased to offer the comprehensive Mobile Product Support package at no cost to further enhance the value we deliver to our customers throughout the life of their mobile device,” said Scott Young, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer for RadioShack Corp. “As devices become increasingly complex, this program gives us the capability to ensure we offer our customers a relevant set of services that supports them and their specific needs.”

Customers are automatically enrolled at no charge in Mobile Product Support during the purchase process. In addition to Mobile Product Support, all in-store purchases, including contract and no-contract cell phones, also now include a free transfer of contacts, applications and data from their existing to new device.

Immediately after purchase, RadioShack customers will have access to specialist support, which is staffed with a U.S.-based team of experts who are specially trained in the entire range of mobile devices offered at RadioShack stores. This specialist team can answer customers’ questions via phone, chat and email, and even has the ability to access a customer’s malfunctioning smartphone remotely to solve technical issues.

Online tools at www.RadioShack.com/MobileProductSupport will offer customers personalized access to device simulators, online forums and how-to guides, which will be updated in real-time based on customer feedback to the wireless specialists. RadioShack associates will also be given access to a set of online education tools, allowing them to stay up-to-date on the latest mobility products and trends.

About RadioShack Corporation

RadioShack Corp. (NYSE: RSH), based in Fort Worth, Texas, is a leading national retailer of innovative mobile technology products and services, as well as products related to personal and home technology and power supply needs. The Shack^® offers consumers a targeted assortment of wireless phones and other electronic products and services from leading national brands, exclusive private brands and major wireless carriers, all within a comfortable and convenient shopping environment. RadioShack employs approximately 33,000 people globally, including a team of friendly and helpful sales experts who have been recognized for delivering the best customer service in the wireless industry. RadioShack’s retail network includes approximately 4,670 company-operated stores in the United States and Mexico, more than 1,490 wireless phone centers in the United States, and approximately 1,120 dealer and other outlets worldwide. For more information on RadioShack Corp., please visit www.radioshackcorporation.com; to purchase items online, please visit www.radioshack.com. RadioShack^® and The Shack^® are registered trademarks licensed by RadioShack Corp.

Denver, CO  (Profitable.com)  ShopAtHome.com, the largest free coupons and cash back site on the web, today released its 2011 Black Friday/Cyber Monday Savings Guide containing exclusive survey data on how to save the most cash this holiday season. Since Americans are more apt than ever to use coupons and search for the best deals this year, ShopAtHome.com recently surveyed more than 1,000 consumers to determine trends in holiday shopping and savings. The survey results as well as ShopAtHome.com’s predictions about this season’s shopping trends and savings tips that will help Americans make the most of their holiday budgets are included in its 2011 Black Friday/Cyber Monday Savings Guide. To view the entire report and trend graphics, please visit http://www.shopathome.com/press-releases/2011-savings-guide.aspx.

“Today, saving money on purchases by using coupons, cash back and other methods is just the cool thing to do,” said Marc Braunstein, founder and president of ShopAtHome.com, “and this is best shown by how traffic to our web site has more than doubled this past year.  We collected survey data from our very savvy shoppers as to the best ways to save this holiday season, and then combined these findings with data from our top retailers to form our 2011 Black Friday/Cyber Monday Savings Guide.  Bottom line, there are secrets to saving, and our Guide does a great job of highlighting some key savings tips.”

Highlights from the 2011 Black Friday/Cyber Monday Savings Guide include:

ShopAtHome.com’s predictions for the 2011 holiday shopping season:

1. Don’t wait until Black Friday to get started! We expect online retailers will leak their Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals earlier than ever this year. So, while the rest of the world is waiting for late November to get started, savvy shoppers will be online, placing their orders for the best deals to be had.
2. Expect to see a lot of “exclusive” deals released through social networks. Retailers want to thank their fans and followers for their loyalty so we expect those “thank yous” to come in the form of exclusive access to holiday deals shared via Facebook, Twitter and Google+.
3. Cash back shopping will be more popular than ever. Coupon and Cash Back sites like ShopAtHome.com will experience significantly more traffic this season as consumers seek to save money in every way possible. ShopAtHome.com has set up a Black Friday Deals page and a Cyber Monday Deals page on its site to share all of the coupons and cash back deals available at popular retailers on these busy shopping days.

Black Friday/Cyber Monday Survey Highlights:

ShopAtHome.com recently surveyed more than 1,000 of its members to gather feedback about their holiday shopping plans. A few of the results include:

• 80% of consumers plan to shop on Black Friday
• 58% of consumers plan to do some online shopping on Black Friday
  • 21% say they will exclusively shop online on Black Friday while 37% plan to do a combination of in-store and online shopping
• 72% of consumers plan to shop on Cyber Monday
• 48% of consumers expect to save at least $100 on their holiday shopping this year by using coupons and earning cash back online
• 59% of shoppers say they will only shop online where they can get free shipping

ShopAtHome.com’s tips to save big on holiday shopping:

1. After the turkey, get online to check out the deals. Our data sources indicate that most major retailers will be starting sales earlier than ever this year. We expect to see more Black Friday sales start on Thanksgiving Day than ever before, and some major retailers will even leak their deals weeks before!
2. Remember that “midnight” is different for every time zone. Historically, the best deals always go first, especially those that start at midnight. But midnight in New York is only 9:00 pm in Los Angeles. Be sure to look for a countdown timer on the retailer’s website so you can be ready the moment the sale starts.
3. Double up on savings! Use ShopAtHome.com to maximize your savings. You can double or triple your savings by using a coupon code and earning Cash Back on your purchase.
4. “Like” or be a “Follower.” Major retailers are promoting unbeatable deals via Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and email newsletters. Don’t miss out on these savings alerts! ShopAtHome.com will be sharing and re-tweeting the best online deals on its own Facebook, Twitter and Google+ pages.
5. Take advantage of in-store pickup.  Not only do you get free shipping when you select in-store pick-up, but the store can “store” your gifts for you so you don’t have to hide them in the back of your closet.
6. Stick to a budget by using gift cards.  A good way to stick to a budget while shopping online is to actually use gift cards rather than just buy them for others.  You can easily find gift cards for hundreds of different places right at your local grocery store, or you even buy gift cards online and have them shipped to you or delivered via email (and earn cash back when you do!).  When you no longer have money on your gift cards, it means your holiday shopping is over.
7. Compare product prices across retailers.  If you already know what product you want to give, use a product comparison engine that helps you find the best net price for that product, inclusive of coupons, cash back, and shipping.  ShopAtHome.com recently released a first of its kind new product comparison function that incorporates coupons, cash back and shipping from thousands of leading internet stores. Visit ShopAtHome.com and search for the top products on your Black Friday shopping list.

About ShopAtHome.com

Founded by husband-and-wife team Marc and Claudia Braunstein, ShopAtHome.com is the largest provider of online coupons and cash back rewards on the web. The site offers online and printable grocery, restaurant and retail coupons, cash back on online purchases, free samples and contests. ShopAtHome.com started as a “Catalog of Catalogs” in 1986 with the goal to save consumers money and time, and, through feedback from users, has become the coupon powerhouse it is today offering more than 100,000 online and local coupons at more than 50,000 merchants, including brand-name retailers. For more information visit http://www.ShopAtHome.com.

Chicago, IL  (Profitable.com)  Extra® gum announced today that Root Beer Float will join the popular Extra Dessert Delights lineup as selected by gum chewers nationwide in the brand’s Fan Flavorite Vote housed on Facebook.

The Fan Flavorite Vote began September 8, 2011 and was the first time Extra gum provided fans the unique opportunity to vote for  the next Dessert Delights flavor that they want to see on store shelves. Gum chewers chose between Lemon Square, Root Beer Float and Bananas Foster in the voting campaign which wrapped on November 12, 2011 with more than 1.3 million votes.  With 662,817 votes, Root Beer Float was the clear winner over Lemon Square and Bananas Foster, which had 363,389 and 360,731 votes respectively.

The winning flavor, inspired by an all-American classic, will be added to the mouth-watering Dessert Delights lineup of Orange Creme Pop, Apple Pie, Mint Chocolate Chip, Strawberry Shortcake and Key Lime Pie. Extra Dessert Delights gum is available at retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $1.19 (single, 15-stick Slim Pack®) and $2.49 (multi-pack with three, 15-stick Slim Packs). The new flavor is expected on-shelf at retailers nationwide in the summer of 2012.

About Wrigley

The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company is a recognized leader in confections with a wide range of product offerings including gum, mints, hard and chewy candies, lollipops, and chocolate.  The Company has operations in more than 40 countries and distributes its world-famous brands in more than 180 countries.  Three of these brands – Wrigley’s Spearmint, Juicy Fruit, and Altoids – have heritages stretching back more than a century.  Other well-loved brands include Doublemint, Life Savers, Skittles, Big Red, Boomer, Pim Pom, Winterfresh, Extra, Starburst, Freedent, Hubba Bubba, Orbit, Excel, Creme Savers, Eclipse, Airwaves, Solano, Sugus, Lockets, P.K., Cool Air and 5.  Wrigley is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and operates as a subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated, based in McLean, Virginia.  Mars is a $30-billion, family-owned company that produces some of the world’s leading confectionery, food and petcare products and has growing beverage and health & nutrition businesses.

©2011 Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company. All Rights Reserved. Extra, Dessert Delights and all affiliated designs are trademarks of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company. No purchase necessary. *For full rules and details on how to submit a request for free gum, visit www.facebook.com/extragum.

Carlsbad, CA  (Profitable.com)  According to a new holiday retail survey commissioned by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), more than one-third of Americans prefer to give loved ones gifts that offer meaningful, life-enriching experiences.

Perhaps telling of which experiences consumers may likely share with their families this year, the survey also found that 58 percent of those surveyed regretted not learning to play a musical instrument.

“The only way a retailer is going to drag a consumer away from their PC or mobile phone this holiday season is by offering a compelling experience, one they don’t want to miss,” said Robin Lewis, CEO, The Robin Report and co-author of The New Rules of Retail. “Whether it’s Lululemon’s yoga classes, cooking classes at Macy’s or music lessons at their hometown music store, these are life-enriching experiences that consumers cannot get online.”

Of those surveyed who do play a musical instrument, the most common benefits citied were that it’s fun and reduces stress.  And contrary to popular belief, learning to play a musical instrument does not have to break the bank.

Instruments such as harmonicas, ukuleles and keyboards can provide training for the same skills needed to play their larger counterparts and cost much less, as well as help burgeoning musicians learn to read music and recognize different tones.

Buying used instruments versus renting can actually save more money, and many local music merchants provide warranty protection and trade-in programs should interests change over time. Additionally, many retailers offer free music lessons with the purchase of an instrument during the holiday season. Visit your local music retailer for advice on which instrument best suits your budget and musical interests. To locate your nearest local music retailer, visit www.wannaplaymusic.com.

About the Poll

Findings are the results of a nationally-representative telephone survey of 1,049 adults ages 18 and over, conducted by Toluna Research, October 27-31, 2011, on behalf of NAMM. The data was weighted by demographic variables to ensure the sample accurately reflects the U.S. adult population.

About NAMM

The National Association of Music Merchants, commonly called NAMM in reference to the organization’s popular NAMM trade shows, is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $17 billion global musical instruments and products industry. NAMM is the sponsor of the Wanna Play? campaign, a public awareness initiative designed to get more people connected with the proven benefits of playing music. For more information about Wanna Play?, please visitwww.wannaplaymusic.com. For more information about NAMM, please visit www.namm.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Elizabeth Lascaze or Amy Hamaoui – GolinHarris
Public Relations | Phone: 213-623-4200
elascaze@golinharris.com or ahamaoui@golinharris.com

Whiting, IN  (Profitable.com)  Hosting a Thanksgiving meal is an honor and a joy for many, but sometimes the price tag that goes along with it can be daunting. A new CouponCabin.com survey reveals that 44 percent of those hosting Thanksgiving this year are at least somewhat overwhelmed with the cost. More women said they feel overwhelmed by the cost than men, at 51 percent and 36 percent, respectively. This survey was conducted online nationwide by Harris Interactive on behalf of CouponCabin.com from October 24-26, 2011 among 2,132 adults aged 18 and older.

Between a turkey, side dishes, beverages and dessert, a Thanksgiving host’s grocery bill can cost a cornucopia of money. Nearly one-in-five (17 percent) Thanksgiving hosts said they plan to spend $250 or more on the meal this year, while half (52 percent) will spend between $100 and $249. Others are planning a more frugal Thanksgiving, as 31 percent said they will spend under $100.

“Don’t let the burden of the cost of Thanksgiving fall squarely on your own shoulders,” said Jackie Warrick, President and Chief Savings Officer at CouponCabin.com. “Since many people will be enjoying the meal with you, consider asking guests to chip in on the cost, or better yet, contribute with a dish of their own. Combine the sharing strategy with other money-saving tactics and you’ll be well on your way to a less expensive Turkey Day.”

Thanksgiving hosts that are feeling overwhelmed with the costs are employing a variety of money-trimming plans, including the following:

• Use coupons – 60 percent
• Shop early to get the best deals – 48 percent
• Buy items at a warehouse store – 37 percent
• Ask guests to bring a dish or dishes – 34 percent
• Wait until the last minute for deals as stores empty out their inventory – 10 percent
• Buy pre-made items at a grocery/specialty store – 7 percent

Savings expert Warrick offers the following tips on how to dress your turkey (and all the fixings) for less this year:

Scour the Web for coupons: Do your homework ahead of your shopping trips to get the best coupons. Check out CouponCabin.com’s newly re-launched grocery section for coupons on thousands of different items, for everything from tablecloths to canned soups to gravy mixes and more.

Create a signature drink: One of the most expensive parts of a holiday meal can be the cost of alcohol. Think about creating one signature drink that will appeal to all, as opposed to buying beer, wine and specific types of hard alcohol.

Decorating deals: If you don’t have your own already, buying new tablecloths, napkins and decorations can quickly add up. Check out a local dollar store for plain tablecloths and more, and spice up your tables up on your own with leaves from your yard, fruit displays and more.

Survey Methodology:

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of CouponCabin from October 24-26, 2011 among 2,132 adults aged 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore, no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact: Allison Nawoj, anawoj@couponcabin.com.

About CouponCabin.com

CouponCabin.com is a leading online destination for coupons including online coupon codes, printables, grocery coupons and more. Shoppers have saved nearly $250 million since 2003 and with the largest selection of coupons guaranteed to work, CouponCabin is the best place to start searching for savings. The average user saves $19 in just 80 seconds on the site. With customized email newsletters, browser savings alerts, new coupon alerts and more, shoppers will never miss out on a great deal with CouponCabin. For more information, please visit http://www.CouponCabin.com.

Hoffman Estates, IL  (Profitable.com)  In honor of the Black Friday tradition of shopping for super savings and the best values, Sears will offer customers more than 900 doorbuster deals and provide Shop Your Way Rewards Members with exclusive coupons and offers.

Sears gives customers more ways to shop, including Buy Online, Pick-Up In-Store, which enables customers to order doorbusters online from the comfort of their home and pick up their items in-store at their convenience. Purchases made from Sears.com or through any of its mobile offerings are backed by Sears’ Ready In 5 Guarantee, which allows customers to shop from anywhere and pick up their purchases within five minutes. For added convenience, Sears offers curbside pickup at select locations(1).

Sears also recently created a “Shop Here, Give There” online layaway feature. Whether gift-giving across the state or across the country, customers can select their desired gift items at Sears.com, complete their layaway payments online, and invite family or friends to pick up their gift item from any Sears location nationwide.

“Our customers want to get the most out of every dollar – and every minute,” said Monica Woo, chief marketing officer for Sears. “On Black Friday Sears will offer more doorbuster deals on the best brands, all backed by service and guarantees that matter. Plus by being a Member of our Shop Your Way Rewards program, our customers can earn points on every purchase and save.”

Listening to its customers, who say they don’t want to be forced to shop at midnight to get the best deals, Sears will open its doors on Friday, Nov. 25, at 4 a.m. Sears doorbuster deals(2) will be available from 4 a.m. until 1 p.m. (local time) on Friday, Nov. 25. The hundreds of doorbuster and holiday deals will be available on banner brands such as Craftsman, Kenmore, NordicTrack and Samsung, and exclusive fashion brands that customers love, including the new Kardashian Kollection, Lands’ End, Bongo, UK Style by French Connection and Everlast.

To make Black Friday shopping even more rewarding, Show Your Way Rewards Members will also receive five times the Shop Your Way Rewards points on qualifying purchases, equal to five percent back. The offer is available when customers use a Sears credit card and will run until Jan. 28, 2012. Customers can apply for a Sears card online, at Sears.com, or in their local Sears store; if approved, the offer is instantly available on qualified purchases at both stores.

Beginning on Black Friday, customers will also be able to pick up a Sears Real Deal Coupon Book (while supplies last) for more than $3,000 worth of savings storewide throughout the holiday shopping season. Customers can use the coupons starting on Saturday, Nov. 27 to save on their holiday shopping.

Throughout the holiday season, Sears will also extend business hours at stores nationwide starting on Black Friday (Nov. 25) through Christmas Eve (Dec. 24).

• Nov. 24: Closed Thanksgiving Day
• Nov. 25: Early Opening – 4 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Nov. 26: Extended Hours – 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Nov. 27-Dec. 8: Normal hours (Mon-Fri. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
• Dec. 9: Early Opening – 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Dec. 10: Extended Hours – 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Dec. 11: Early Opening – 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Dec. 12–15: Extended Hours – 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Dec. 16–23: Extended Hours – 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Dec. 24: Early Opening/Closing – 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Dec. 25: Closed Christmas Day

This year, customers no longer have to wait until Black Friday to save. Circulars for Sears deals are available weeks in advance on searslocalad.com, which provides real deals in real-time from local Sears stores using frequent inventory updates and access to ads 24 hours a day. Plus, shoppers can take advantage of services such as Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store, ship-to-store and free shipping options.

Visit Sears.com for more information and to find a location near you or shop online for the best deals of the holiday season, always available and convenient with optimized Sears.com sites accessible via major mobile devices. For additional media materials and information please visit the Sears holiday electronic press kit, or contact the Sears holiday hotline at (212) 884-1140 to arrange an interview or in-store filming.

About Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a leading broadline retailer providing merchandise and related services. Sears, Roebuck offers its wide range of home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through more than 2,700 Sears-branded and affiliated stores in the United States and Canada, which includes over 890 Full-line and more than 1,350 specialty stores in the U.S.   Sears, Roebuck also offers a variety of merchandise and services through sears.com, landsend.com, and specialty catalogs. Sears, Roebuck offers consumers leading proprietary brands including Kenmore, Craftsman, DieHard and Lands’ End — among the most trusted and preferred brands in the U.S. Sears, Roebuck is the 2011 ENERGY STAR® Retail Partner of the Year. The company is the nation’s largest provider of home services, with more than 11 million service calls made annually. For more information, visit the Sears, Roebuck website at www.sears.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at www.searsholdings.com.

(1) Available at participating Sears stores; excludes jewelry. Customers drive to the curbside location near Merchandise Pickup. A Sears associate verifies the customer’s email confirmation or credit card, retrieves the purchased item and loads it into the customer’s vehicle. The customer receives their item in five minutes or they get a $5 coupon good for their next in-store purchase.

(2) All doorbuster deals are available while quantities last; no rain checks.

New York, NY  (Profitable.com)  Excitement over unexpected in-store deals has diminished as discounted prices become an anticipated part of the consumer products shopping experience, according to the Deloitte/Harrison Group annual American Pantry Survey.

For nearly one-third (30 percent) of consumers, at least seven of 10 items in their shopping cart is discounted.  Additionally, 80 percent of them say they do their own research and have a pre-determined price point and a potential savings amount in mind before they step into a store. Furthermore, two-thirds (66 percent) of consumers shop when they know products will be on sale.

“Shoppers today expect to get a deal on the products they purchase,” said Pat Conroy, vice chairman, Deloitte LLP and consumer products sector leader. “With this mindset it is critical that consumer products companies take measures to enhance brand loyalty by connecting early and often with key audiences in environments outside of the store.”

Smarter, Efficient Shoppers Focus on Consumer Product Purchases

Three-quarters (75 percent) of survey respondents assert that that they are smarter shoppers than they were a year ago, and nearly nine in 10 (86 percent) believe they are getting more precise in what they buy. Additionally, eight in 10 (80 percent) consumers say they have become more efficient at getting in and out of the store in 2011.

“Smarter shoppers know what they want, and how to get it for the best price,” said Conroy. “As they become more efficient – while the consumer products industry increasingly faces a ‘crisis of similar’ – companies looking to thrive must find ways to differentiate themselves from their competition.”

Before Entering the Store, Shoppers Know What They’re Buying

Nine in 10 shoppers know what they’re buying before they arrive at a store, and more than eight in 10 (83 percent) have a set of brands in mind that they will consider. Moreover, eight in 10 (80 percent) shoppers indicate that the recession has caused them to realize what brands they care about and which ones they don’t.

“Companies should have a conversation with shoppers prior to the time of purchase,” said Conroy. “With the proliferation of online shopping, smartphones and social networking, it’s vital that consumer product companies consider the use of highly targeted pre-store shopper engagement programs, which could include constant communication through new technology mediums.”

Private Label and Store Brands Increasingly “Been There, Done That” for Shoppers

Nearly one-half (49 percent) of shoppers say they are no longer interested in trying private labels or store brands. Furthermore, nine in 10 (90 percent) shoppers assert that they have already figured out which store brands and private labels work for their families – and which ones do not – while nearly the same amount (88 percent) of consumers claim they have established which store brands and private labels are good, and which ones are not.

About the Survey

The 2011 American Pantry Study was conducted by Deloitte and Harrison Group. The survey polled 4,086 household shoppers and food preparers in the U.S. from October 6 to October 21, 2011 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.5 percentage points.

As used in this document, “Deloitte” means Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.

About Harrison Group

Harrison Group is a leading market research and strategy consulting firm headquartered in Waterbury, Connecticut. Along with expertise in consumer packaged goods, Harrison Group specializes in the wealth and affluent markets, and the media, financial management and interactive entertainment markets. The firm’s cornerstone is providing sophisticated market strategy, market analytics and survey and forecasting services. www.harrisongroupinc.com.

Affordable Kitchen Gadgets for the Holidays

(Profitable.com) Today’s kitchens are so much different than the kitchens of yesterday. Creating those perfect home cooked meals used to take hours of tedious prep work and that was just the prep work. Cooks would still have to cook the food and serve it up to their hungry guests. All of this hard work prevented many people from enjoying great home cooked meals. Today things are much different. There is an entire world of small kitchen appliances that make cooking just about anything that people could ever desire as simple as pie. Let’s not forget those tasty beverages that at one time could only be purchased at a specialty shop. Today’s small kitchen appliances turn your entire kitchen into a restaurant, and they put everything on the menu.

Home kitchen cooks can bake fresh bread with a programmable breadmaker that does all of the hard work. Cooks will be able to turn up the energy level with home brewed coffee, or they can even take things up a notch with a hot tasty Espresso. Toaster ovens, blenders, mixers, crock pots, waffle irons, and more, have all become tools for the modern home chef. The question is not, “What’s for dinner?” It is now “What’s not for dinner?” with all of these great kitchen appliances.

KitchenStarters.com opens up this whole new small appliance world to the home chef by offering the best selection and prices on any of these space saving small kitchen appliances. Cooks will enjoy reading the detailed product descriptions and product specifications for each and every kitchen appliance. Many cooks find inspiration for new food ideas that they never thought would be possible at home. These small kitchen appliances are not just for cooks either. They make excellent gifts for anyone that loves to create in the kitchen. Visit KitchenStarters.com today and find out what others are saying about these great kitchen gadgets.

Wayne, NJ  (Profitable.com)  Toys”R”Us® has announced that its stores nationwide will open their doors at 9pm on Thanksgiving night to welcome Black Friday shoppers as they kick off the holiday shopping season.*  Customers eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Toys”R”Us Thanksgiving weekend circular on November 24, which is filled with more than $12,500 in savings, including doorbusters, Thursday through Saturday discounts and free gift-with-purchase offers, can receive a sneak preview by visiting the Toys”R”Us Facebook page, Facebook.com/Toysrus. Toys”R”Us Facebook fans will also have the opportunity to win a red carpet, private shopping experience at their local store before the Black Friday crowd enters.

The 28-page Toys”R”Us Thanksgiving weekend circular will appear in newspapers across the country and online at Toysrus.com on Thursday, November 24, offering nearly 300 deals. In addition, current and new Rewards”R”Us® members can earn 10 percent back on purchases made in-store and online.** New for this holiday season, Rewards”R”Us members can also earn a 2012 Super Savers Pass when they spend $200 or more through Saturday, December 24, through which they’ll receive more than $100 in savings, including exclusive coupons sent via e-mail each month in 2012.

“We know our customers like to get an early start on their Black Friday shopping, so we’re offering more savings than ever and providing even more hours to save by opening our stores at 9pm on Thanksgiving night,” said Greg Ahearn, Chief Marketing Officer, Toys”R”Us, U.S. ”Black Friday is truly the kickoff to the holiday shopping season, and we’re excited to welcome customers at Toys”R”Us stores across the country for what has become an annual tradition for many families after Thanksgiving dinner is finished.”

The Season of Savings Begins with Hot Doorbusters: 9pm Thanksgiving Night

As soon as the turkey is gobbled and the dinner table is cleared, family, friends and eager shoppers can get a jump start on fulfilling holiday wish lists at Toys”R”Us by scanning their newspaper circulars for Black Friday deals. With Toys”R”Us stores opening at 9pm on Thanksgiving evening, savvy savers have even more hours to shop for Black Friday values – in fact, 26 hours straight, as the doors of Toys”R”Us stores will not close until 11pm on Friday, November 25. Consumers can also take advantage of these same deals and discounts at Toysrus.com beginning Thursday, November 24 at 9pm.

Following are examples of select doorbusters available at Toys”R”Us stores beginning Thursday, November 24 at 9pm through Friday, November 25 at 1pm, while supplies last:

Free $50 Toys”R”Us Gift Card with purchase of any Apple® iPod® touch (Available on in-store purchases only; Limit one per guest; Valid 6 hours after activation and expires 1/28/12)

SAVE $120 on POWER WHEELS Boss or Barbie 12-Volt Ford Mustang Ride-Ons – Was: $319.99 each; Now: $199.99 each

50% OFF LeapFrog Leapster® 2 – Was: $49.99; Now: $24.99

50% OFF My Baby Alive – Was: $44.99; Now: $22.49

50% OFF Riptunes 2GB MP3 Player with Video – Was: $29.99; Now: $14.99

50% OFF Sylvania 7-inch Android Tablet or 7-inch Android Netbook – Was: $149.99 each; Now: $74.99 each

40% OFF ALL LeapFrog Leapster® Software – prices vary

40% OFF TRANSFORMERS Dark of the Moon Ultimate Optimus Prime – Was: $79.99; Now: $47.99

35% OFF Select LEGO® Construction Sets – prices vary

BUY 10 for $10 on ALL Squinkies™ 2-Packs (Must purchase 10 to receive the deal; Originally $2.49 each)

BUY 2 GET 3rd FREE on Beyblade Metal Fusion Battle Tops – prices vary

$10 Special Value Pack of Babies”R”Us® Diapers (48 – 96 ct) – Over $50 value (Includes $38 in coupon savings; Limit 4 per guest; Available at Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us)

Toysrus.com and Facebook.com/Toysrus will also preview more than 40 “Mystery Deals” on Tuesday, November 22 at 12:01am. These secret savings will be available in Toys”R”Us stores from 9pm on Thanksgiving night until 1pm on Friday afternoon, but customers can only find out about them by visiting these sites in advance.

Earlier Risers Still Have Time to Snap Up Savings: 5am – 1pm on Friday, November 25

Those who prefer to sleep off their turkey dinner before heading to stores will still have the opportunity to take advantage of incredible savings at Toys”R”Us, with nearly 50 new doorbuster deals available on Friday, November 25 from 5am – 1pm during the 26-hour sale, while supplies last. Following are examples of these doorbusters:

FREE $19.99 Imaginarium Starter Kit with ANY Imaginarium® or Crayola® Easel priced $19.99 or more (Limit one per guest)

SAVE $20 on Crayola® Digital Camcorder and Camera (sold separately) – Was: $49.99 each; Now: $29.99 each

SAVE $30 on Toys”R”Us-Exclusive Disney Princess Royal Talking Kitchen – Was: $69.99; Now: $39.99

50% OFF Tonka® Bounce Back Racer – Was: $29.99; Now: $14.99

50% OFF LeapFrog Alphabet Pal – Was: $19.99; Now: $9.99

50% OFF Serta® Master Sleeper Crib and Toddler Mattress (Available at Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us) – Was: $179.99; Now: $89.99

50% OFF Select Shermag Glider and Ottoman Combos or Newco Upholstered Recliners (Available at Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us) – prices vary

40% OFF Select LEGO Construction Sets – prices vary

BUY 1 GET 1 FREE on ALL Earth’s Best Variety or Pantry Packs (Limit two per guest; Available at Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us) – prices vary

Marathon Shoppers Can Take Advantage of the Thursday through Saturday Sale

Customers can take advantage of deals and discounts on nearly 200 additional items at Toys”R”Us stores nationwide, from Thursday at opening until Saturday closing.  Following are highlights of the deals and discounts available at Toys”R”Us stores from Thursday, November 24 at 9pm through Saturday, November 26 at 11pm, while supplies last:

BUY 1 GET 1 50% OFF ALL Trash Pack® purchases – prices vary

BUY 1 GET 1 50% OFF ALL Moshi Monsters™ purchases – prices vary

FREE $10 Toys”R”Us Gift Card and $100 Savings with ANY Xbox 360 console purchase

BUY 1 GET 1 FREE on ALL Toys”R”Us® Battery Pack purchases – prices vary

BUY 1 GET 1 for $5 on Select Xbox® 360, PS3 and Wii® video game purchases between $29.99 and $59.99

50% OFF Fisher Price® Medical Kits – Was: $14.99 each; Now: $6.99 each

50% OFF Crayola® Super Art Kits – Was: $19.99 each; Now: $9.99 each

50% OFF ALL Carter’s® Clothing and Sleepwear (Available at Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us) – prices vary

50% OFF ALL Disney® NFL Pillows and Blankets (Available at Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us) – prices vary

20% OFF Air Swimmers® eXtreme from Animal Planet™ – Was $49.99; Now: $39.99

FREE Pampers Value Box of Wipes (384ct or less) with ANY purchase of a Pampers Value Box of Diapers (88ct or more) (Available at Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us)

Toys”R”Us Facebook Fans Can Enter Black Friday Red Carpet Sweepstakes

Now through November 17 at 11:59pm EST, new and current fans of the company’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/Toysrus, can enter an exclusive sweepstakes for the chance to win a Toys”R”Us Grand Prize Black Friday Shopping Event. One winner will receive limo service and red carpet entry to their local Toys”R”Us store on Thanksgiving evening at 8pm – one hour before the store officially opens for Black Friday shopping. This winner will also receive a $1,000 Toys”R”Us gift card and a personal shopper to assist them in selecting the perfect gifts for the kids on their list.***

One hundred second prize winners will receive a $100 Toys”R”Us gift card that they can use on Black Friday. All winners will be notified by email at least one week prior to Thanksgiving. After visiting Facebook.com/Toysrus to enter, social savvy customers are encouraged to let their friends and family know about this exciting shopping opportunity simply by clicking the “Share” button and posting it to their Facebook Wall.

Holiday Survival Coupon Book for First 100 Black Friday Customers at Each Store

This Black Friday, the first 100 customers to line up at their local Toys”R”Us store will receive a 48-page coupon booklet valued at more than $500 in savings, helping customers to stretch their dollars while dining out, catching a movie, going clothes shopping or booking a family cruise. In addition to the offers in the booklet, customers will gain access to the SaversGuide® website for 60 days, where they can enter their ZIP code to discover even more great deals at their favorite restaurants, attractions and destinations. Coupons retrieved online must be printed to redeem the offers.

*Toys”R”Us stores nationwide will open at 9pm on Thursday, November 24, except for stores in Paramus, NJ, which will open on Friday, November 25 at 7am, and select stores in Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island  and Puerto Rico, which will have varying store open times. In general, these hours do not apply to Toys”R”Us Express or Outlet locations, which will follow the hours of their respective shopping centers. All store hours can be found online at www.Toysrus.com/BlackFridayStoreHours.

**Excludes purchases of gift cards, shipping and handling charges, and reward eligible greeting cards, formula, diapers and LeapFrog products. See a store employee or Toysrus.com/Rewards for maximum rewards and complete details. Customers who spend $500 or more will earn the maximum reward of $50 in “R”Us Dollars.

***If the grand prize winner is not within a 100 (one hundred) mile radius of a Toys”R”Us store location, Toys”R”Us reserves the right to substitute the shopping spree with a gift card of comparable or greater value.

About Toys”R”Us, Inc.

Toys”R”Us, Inc. is the world’s leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer, offering a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands. Merchandise is sold in 873 Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, and in more than 600 international stores and over 140 licensed stores in 35 countries and jurisdictions. In addition, it exclusively operates the legendary FAO Schwarz brand and sells extraordinary toys in the brand’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City. With its strong portfolio of e-commerce sites including Toysrus.com, Babiesrus.com, eToys.com and FAO.com, it provides shoppers with a broad online selection of distinctive toy and baby products. Headquartered in Wayne, NJ, Toys”R”Us, Inc. employs approximately 70,000 associates annually worldwide. The company is committed to serving its communities as a caring and reputable neighbor through programs dedicated to keeping kids safe and helping them in times of need. Additional information about Toys”R”Us, Inc. can be found on Toysrusinc.com. Follow Toys”R”Us, Babies”R”Us and FAO Schwarz on Facebook at Facebook.com/Toysrus, Facebook.com/Babiesrus and Facebook.com/FAO, and on Twitter at Twitter.com/Toysrus and Twitter.com/Babiesrus.

Hoffman Estates, IL  (Profitable.com)  Kmart announces Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday doorbusters with deals on a wide range of products, with everything from home electronics and appliances, clothing, toys, tools and much more. As the go-to holiday-shopping destination, Kmart stores nationwide will open early on Black Friday, in addition to opening on Thanksgiving Day, in most cities, so that shoppers can beat the rush and get a jumpstart on their holiday shopping.

“This holiday season, Kmart is offering customers spectacular deals on Black Friday, as well as special hours on Thanksgiving to give them the chance to take advantage of the offers early,” said Andrew Stein, vice president, Marketing Planning at Sears Holdings. “We have made a promise to our shoppers to provide the best deals on the items they want and need, and during the holidays, we double efforts to keep that promise by marking down popular products in every department.”

For the 20th consecutive year, Kmart will open its doors on Thanksgiving Day in response to customer desire to have a place to pick up last-minute or forgotten items for family meals, and to start holiday shopping early. During the holiday season, customers can take advantage of deep discounts on quality products throughout each Kmart store to ensure that families’ holidays are bright and joyful this year. Kmart customers can also find exclusive product lines, such as Dream Out Loud by Selena Gomez, Sofia by Sofia Vergara, Jaclyn Smith, Country Living, Smart Sense, Rebecca Bonbon and Bongo.

A sample of Kmart Thanksgiving Day deals for Thursday, Nov. 24, include:

• Save $150 on Panasonic 42″ plasma HDTV for $399.99 (Reg. $549.99) – Lowest price ever!
• Save 70 percent on fine jewelry, plus save an extra 10 percent off all Red Tag jewelry
• Buy one, get one free Little Tikes infants’ and preschool toys
• Save 50 percent on a variety of hot toys
• Buy one board game, get one at 50 percent off
• Up to 40% off bedding and bath
• Save 50 percent on family outerwear, cold weather accessories and footwear
• Save 50 percent on assorted Christmas trees, decorations and holiday decor
• Small kitchen appliances as low as $4.99 (Reg. $9.49)

A sample of Kmart Black Friday deals for Friday, Nov. 25, include: (Note, 5-11 am door busters)

• PlayStation 3 2011 Holiday Bundle (includes 160GB entertainment system, Ratchet and Clank: All 4 One PS3 game and Little Big Planet 2 Special Edition PS3 game) for $199.99 (Reg. $219.99)
• Save $30 on Velocity Cruz R102 eReader for $69.99 (Reg. $99.99)
• Save $30 on Trim A Home 6-foot Blue Mountain tree for $19.99 (Reg. $49.99)
• Save $110 on 7-foot Auburn billiard table with BONUS table-tennis top for $189.99 (Reg. 299.99) – Lowest price of the season!
• Save 50 percent on family outerwear
• Save 70 percent on all fine jewelry, plus save an extra 10 percent on all Red Tag jewelry
• Save $50 on Craftsman 21inch123cc single-stage snow thrower for $299.99 (Reg. $349.99)
• Get a GE 12MP camera (a $59.99 value) with purchase of GE X500 for $149.99
• Save $50 on Panasonic 5.1-channel 330-watt DVD home theater system for $99.99 (Reg. $149.99)
• Save $50 on Garmin 40LM for $99.99 (Reg. $149.99)
• Save 10 percent on all major appliances

To make holiday shopping even more rewarding, Kmart will provide Shop Your Way Rewards members with two times the points on qualifying purchases, equal to two percent back, throughout November. Additionally, for Sears credit card holders, Kmart is offering five times the Shop Your Way Rewards points on qualifying purchases, equal to five percent back.

Extended Holiday Shopping Hours

In keeping with Kmart’s distinct 20-year tradition, it will open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. (local time) in most markets on Thanksgiving Day. On Black Friday, Nov. 25, Kmart stores nationwide will open at 5 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. (local time). Kmart will also offer extended business hours at stores nationwide through Christmas Eve on Saturday, Dec. 24.

Kmart Holiday Store Hours:

• Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24 (in most markets): 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 25: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 26: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 27: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Nov. 28 through Dec. 3: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Dec. 4 through 10: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Dec. 11 through 23: 6 a.m. to 12 a.m.
• Dec. 24: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Dec. 25: Closed

Customers will be able to maximize their savings this holiday, with Kmart’s layaway program. Customers can reserve their holiday purchases now, pay over time and pick up items just in time for gift giving. The layaway program allows customers to select their items and make biweekly payments over an eight- or 12-week period. Making the online layaway process even easier, Kmart.com recently introduced a new option called Shop Here, Pick Up There. Items can be selected online, placed on layaway and then conveniently picked up at any local Kmart store.

But customers do not have to wait until Black Friday to save. Circulars for future weeks are available now on kmartlocalad.com, which provides real deals in real-time from local Kmart stores using up-to-the-minute inventory updates and access to ads 24 hours a day.

Visit Kmart.com for more information and to find a location near you or shop online for the best deals of the holiday season. For additional media materials and information please visit the Kmart holiday electronic press kit at http://kmartepk.com/, or contact the Sears and Kmart holiday hotline at (212) 884-1140 to arrange an interview or in-store filming.

About Kmart

Kmart, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a mass merchandising company that offers customers quality products through a portfolio of exclusive brands that includes Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, County Living, Route 66 and Smart Sense. For more information visit the company’s website at www.kmart.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at www.searsholdings.com.

Fargo, ND  (Profitable.com)  Swanson Health Products announces the latest breakthrough in natural bone support: Swanson Ultra BONOLIVE™, a revolutionary olive-based bone health supplement. This innovative product has its roots in Mediterranean tradition, where people have long recognized olives’ and olive oil’s benefits to health, including healthy bone and skeletal development. The phytonutrient oleuropein and other active polyphenols in olives are what make them beneficial to bone health. BONOLIVE can be used on its own to promote bone health, or as a complement to other bone nutrients like calcium and vitamins D and K.

While these components can be found in the fruit of the olives, they are found in greater abundance in the leaves. Research shows that oleuropein works at the cellular level to support bone formation. Unlike other supplements that promote the utilization of minerals, help maintain hormone balance or deliver the building blocks for bones, BONOLIVE works to support bone metabolism and stimulate bone-building cells.

BONOLIVE is produced in the heart of Spain’s olive country, near the town of Jaén in the south-central region of the country. It comes from one special variety of olive trees which yield the highest levels of bioactive polyphenols. An exclusive co-op provides the pristine quality leaves (considered to be pharmaceutical grade) required for BONOLIVE production.

Swanson Health Products is an industry leader in bringing vitamins directly to consumers at the lowest prices possible. Swanson Health Products, headquartered in Fargo, ND, offers the highest quality vitamins, supplements and natural health care products and is Good Manufacturing Practices certified. Swanson Health Products goes a step beyond its competitors by offering powerful guarantees. All products are backed by a 100% Satisfaction, Money-Back Guarantee. For more information, please visit http://www.swansonvitamins.com.

Malibu, CA  (Profitable.com)  USA Book News, the premiere online magazine and review website for mainstream and independent publishing houses, announced that Mark Sisson’s Primal Blueprint 21 Day Total Body Transformation has won the “Best Books 2011″ award in the Diet & Weight Loss category. From a record number of entries, 500 finalists were identified in various non-fiction and fiction categories, with Sisson’s book gaining top honors in Diet & Weight Loss, as well as runner-up distinction in the Exercise & Fitness category.

This 192-page guidebook covers key concepts and action items for how to effectively lose weight by transitioning to Primal (low carb) eating, exercise, and lifestyle habits. It includes extensive photos, meal plans, workout descriptions, and a 21-Day Challenge personal journal. Released October 18, 2011, it climbed to #3 overall bestseller on amazon.com (#1 in Exercise & Fitness and #1 in Diets & Weight Loss) in its initial week. It also landed on the USA Today national top-100 bestseller list in its first week. This guidebook supports Sisson’s Primal Blueprint hardcover book, which was released in 2009 and sold through six printings and over 130,000 copies; as well as two cookbooks that attained bestseller status on amazon.com‘s Low-Carbohydrate Cookbook list, the Primal Blueprint Cookbook and Primal Blueprint Quick & Easy Meals.

About Mark Sisson:

Mark Sisson is one of the world’s leading authorities on evolution-based health and fitness principles. He has spearheaded mainstream acceptance for a grass-roots movement of enthusiasts seeking to reconnect with a simpler, more sensible way of life. From its humble – and controversial – origins in 2006, today his blog MarksDailyApple.com is one of the world’s top-3 ranked natural health web sites, with over 800,000 unique visitors per month.

Mark, 58, is a former 2:18 marathoner and fourth-place finisher in the Hawaii Ironman World Triathlon Championships. Besides blogging daily, Mark conducts seminars across North America and hosts an annual 3-day Primal retreat in California. He lives with his wife, Carrie, and children, Devyn and Kyle, in Malibu, California.

Link to the award page: http://www.usabooknews.com/healthdiet.html
Link to USA Book News: http://www.USABookNews.com
Link to MarksDailyApple.com: http://marksdailyapple.com

CONTACT:  Elizabeth Kane, 1-888-774-6259, elizabeth@primalblueprint.com

Watsonville, CA  (Profitable.com)  Nordic Naturals®, the industry leader in omega-3 fish oil, makes taking your daily fish oil easier than ever with Omega-3 Effervescent™. This innovative powder containing the omega-3s EPA and DHA mixes with water for a delicious orange-flavored beverage. The revolutionary delivery system is clean on the palate and offers all the amazing health benefits of omega-3s and vitamin D3, such as heart, brain, joint and bone support. Packaged in single-serving stick packs, the product offers unrivaled convenience and lets you Drink Your Omega-3s™ any time and anywhere. Each serving offers 500 mg of EPA and DHA as well as 1200 I.U. of vitamin D3.

Winner of a 2011 Best of Supplements Award from Better Nutrition magazine, Omega-3 Effervescent has clinically proven faster absorption than soft gels—nearly 25%. The effervescent technology allows omega-3s to enter the blood stream in as little as 15 minutes, an added plus for those with compromised digestion or a weakened ability to absorb nutrients.

Now in stick packs, Omega-3 Effervescent is available in 7 and 21 count boxes and is ideal for both children and adults alike. Omega-3 Effervescent contains cod liver oil made exclusively from wild Arctic cod sustainably sourced from the Norwegian Sea. Sweetened with stevia in creamy orange flavor, the product tastes so great you’ll never know you’re taking fish oil.

To learn more about the benefits of drinking your omega-3s, simply log on to www.drinkyouromegas.com. Plus, four times in the month of November, Nordic Naturals will give away a free 7 count box of Omega-3 Effervescent to the first 50 people that make a request on the page. Like Nordic Naturals on Facebook to learn about the promotional dates!  www.facebook.com/nordicnaturals

Since 1995, Nordic Naturals has been the industry leader in fish oil supplementation, setting standards of excellence in the areas of purity, freshness, taste, and sustainability. With their reputation for efficacy and potency, Nordic Naturals fish oils and EFA blends are regularly chosen for study by independent research institutions and universities. Fifteen published scientific studies have been completed and more than 30 are currently underway. Distributing to over 30 countries on 6 continents, Nordic Naturals offers over 150 products in a variety of flavors, concentrations, and delivery forms. Call 800.662.2544 or visit www.nordicnaturals.com.

Chicago, IL  (Profitable.com)  An Australian sparkling pink wine has captured the fancy of Chicagoans who have purchased more of it than residents of any other U.S. city.

Emeri De Bortoli’s Pink Moscato is selling up to 1,000 cases per week in Illinois, the majority inChicago, according to Craig Orchard, vice president of sales and operations, De Bortoli USA (www.emeri.us).

Emeri is now the leading pink Moscato in the U.S., buoyed by its reputation for lighter alcohol content of 8% compared to an average of 12% for other wines, and a price that will fit most budgets at$12.99/750ml bottle.

A closer look at Chicago reveals that a wide range of consumers are purchasing Emeri, from women who buy it by the bottle at upscale grocery stores to young hip-hop fans sipping it from slim Champagne flutes in local clubs.

Between Dec. 2011 and March 2012, De Bortoli Wines USA will promote Emeri Pink Moscato in select Chicago neighborhoods on billboards, posters, advertising in the city magazine, Chicago Reader and other media.

The popular, bubbly wine has taken on a life of its own beyond any type of planned marketing activities.  Fans have set up their own Facebook page with nearly 2,500 fans, while websites and bloggers are popping up to promote Moscato Nation, ”…an association for those who love America’s fastest-growing varietal.”

Even the media have jumped on the bandwagon with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s story, “Hip-hop finds a wine,” and Consumer Reports’ 2011 selection of Emeri Pink Moscato as its No. 1 pick for a Valentine’s Day toast based on price and taste. That was followed by an article in Consumer Reports’ sister magazine, Shop Smart, which also gave its 800,000 readers a thumbs-up on Emeri.

States, other than Illinois, where Emeri Pink Moscato has become a hit are South Carolina, New Jersey/New York, Tennessee,Indiana, Georgia, Michigan, Texas and Wisconsin. Also in the family of Emeri Sparkling Wines are Emeri Moscato, Emeri Sauvignon Blanc and Emeri Pinot Grigio.

In Chicago, Emeri is available at a number of grocery and drugstore retailers, big box stores, at some bars and nightclubs.

To learn more about Emeri Pink Moscato and its three sparkling sisters, visit www.emeri.us. For photos and more information, media may contact Olga Haley, olga@leoketel.com 503-860-0848.

Merrimack, NH  (Profitable.com)  The results are in, and the gift experts at Brookstone have announced four hot buying trends this Holiday season. The product development company and specialty retailer is seeing a strong attraction to four key product categories, ranging from app control and iPad tablets to massage and merry-making.

“We’re seeing a continuation of the home entertaining trend and have several winning products sure to be the hit of the party,” said Brookstone CEO Ron Boire. “With 300 gifts under fifty dollars and hundreds more on Brookstone.com, shoppers are sure to find clever gifts for everyone on their list for a great value at Brookstone.”

Holiday Gift Trends at Brookstone for 2011

Total App-Control

App-controlled vehicles have achieved techno-nirvana by successfully combining the live-action toys with streaming video and night vision. Here’s the rundown on this year’s best app gifts.

Rover Wireless Spy Tank

It’s the video-streaming, night-vision wireless tank that’s taking over holiday wish lists across the nation. Drives by iPod touch®, iPhone® or iPad® device using free downloadable app. For ages 14 and up. $149.99

Parrot® AR.Drone™ Quadricopter

Built-in Wi-Fi connection, accelerometer and gyroscopes let pilots fly it using an iPod touch, iPhone, iPad® or Android™ device using free downloadable app. Built-in video cameras let the pilot view the flight from the AR.Drone’s perspective. For ages 14 and up. $299.99

Wi-Fi Racer

Ready, set… GO! This app-controlled 1/10-scale racecar generates its own Wi-Fi. Drivers can steer the racer using the accelerometer on their iPod touch, iPhone, iPad or Android devices. Beginner, advanced and expert driving modes keep things interesting. For ages 14 and up. $99.99

Tankbots

Tankbots are mini vehicles that can be driven via Apple iOS or Android™ devices. Infrared obstacle detection and an autonomous personality mode to explore terrain and navigate through mazes, and even duel each other. Available in multiple colors. For ages 8 and up. $29.99 each

Soulo™ Karaoke—Wireless Microphone with Pitch Control

Soulo takes the music in any iPad, iPod touch or iPhone device, strips out the vocal, and then lets anyone be the star of the show. Soulo streams lyrics onto the screen and uses real-time pitch enhancement to keep less-than-professional singers in tune. $99.99

Hot Gifts for iPad Lovers

More iPad users in the world means more people trying to personalize and accessorize. Brookstone is the gift destination for the tablet lover on everyone’s list.

Bluetooth® Keyboard Portfolio  

Foldover portfolio has a built-in Bluetooth® wireless keyboard that lets iPad users type with wild abandon. In cool new colors.$99.99

Brookstone® Boombox    

Lose the cassettes not the swagger. This portable stereo lets people “share” music with everyone on the block… just by docking their iPad tablet. $129.99

Hot for the Host

Brookstone is happy to announce that the party is back with a vengeance. Here’s what’s coming to parties this year.

Automatic Wine Opener with Built-in Foil Cutter

Corks (and foils) have met their match. Thirsty guests will be impressed by how quickly this opener lets them get to their wine. It’s placed over the bottle, a twist removes the wine foil, and then a push of the button removes the cork. Cordless and rechargeable. $49.99

Vinturi® Wine Aerator

Guests may think the wine is more expensive than it really is. This handheld device instantly “breathes” wine as each glass is poured, enhancing flavor and bouquet. Available for red or white wines and for liquors. From $39.99

Obol®, the Never-Soggy Cereal Bowl

If adult beverages aren’t the main attraction at the party, Obol® makes a great conversation-starting gift for your hosts (or their kids). This very modern-looking bowl has two sections—an upper area for cereal (or holiday cookies), and a lower reservoir for milk. One swoops a scoop of cereal onto a spoon, then swoops into the milk for the perfect crispy bite every time. Also great for soup and crackers or chips and salsa. $19.99

Feel-Good Gifts

Feel-good gifts like massagers, slippers and memory foam pillows are always popular during the holiday season.

Brookstone® Body Bean

It’s a high-tech update on the beloved hot water bottle that’s cordless and rechargeable. It’s great for soothing aches and pains, tired muscles, and for just keeping warm on a chilly day. $34.99

3-in-1 Heated Wrap—with Body Bean

Pairs a cordless Body Bean with versatile body wrap that holds the Bean against the lower back, neck and shoulders, or anywhere else soothing warmth is needed. $49.99

Active Sport Handheld Massager

Brookstone is finding that athletes and other active people are using handheld massagers to soothe and loosen up muscles before and after workouts. The Active Sport Massager packs plenty of massaging horsepower and has 3 interchangeable massage heads that let users target specific areas or enjoy all-over relief. $69.99

Tempur-Pedic® Comfort-Step Slippers

Revolutionary Tempur-Pedic® slippers deliver maximum comfort with a pressure-relieving breathable material, while the durable hard sole is ideal for around the house and quick trips out to the mailbox. “The best slippers I’ve ever owned … I would never think about wearing another type of slipper now.” - Susie, Brookstone Customer Review $49.99

Brookstone, Inc., is an innovative product development company and specialty retailer of unique gifts. Brookstone operates 300 stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico. Typically located in high-traffic regional shopping malls and airports, the stores feature unique and innovative consumer products. The Company also operates a Direct Marketing business that includes the Brookstone catalog and an e-commerce website at Brookstone.com. Fans of the Company are encouraged to Like Brookstone on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

Product prices and availability subject to change without notice.

Contact:
Kristina Lynch
Tara Ink
+1-305-864-3434 ext 153
kristina@taraink.com

Cincinnati, OH  (Profitable.com)  From a highly-competitive pool of over 80 applicants, Tide Dry Cleaners® has been selected by The Hub Magazine as the Ultimate Hub Prize Winner in the 2011 Hub Prize competition, and recipient of the coveted Hub Cup trophy. The inaugural edition of the Hub Prize competition celebrates best-in-class excellence and innovation in the retail experience and environment.

Tide Dry Cleaners® is an innovative expansion to the iconic Tide brand, leveraging the brand’s 65-year heritage in cleaning to delight consumers with a greater level of service and performance in dry cleaning.  Tide Dry Cleaners currently operates in six retail locations in Kansas City and Greater Cincinnati, with many additional outlets currently under development across the United States through a network of individual franchisees and entrepreneurs.

“We are both honored and humbled to be awarded the 2011 Ultimate Hub Prize,” says Aaron Eisel, Director of Marketing, Tide Dry Cleaners. “We feel very strongly about this business and the impact we can deliver for our customers, and are thrilled to see such positive recognition from The Hub Magazine, its subscribers, and its highly-distinguished and experienced panel of judges.”

The Hub Magazine is a business and marketing publication (online and print) that showcases innovation and breakthrough ideas, and the people behind them, in retail and shopper marketing.  The publication is targeted at the top marketers in America’s largest companies, and in the six short years since it was launched, it has secured a strong and loyal customer and subscriber base.

The Hub Prize Competition emerged as a natural extension of The Hub Magazine’s focus and dialogue, celebrating the many ways that retailers, brand marketers, agencies, design firms, technology companies, research firms, consultants and others make the retail experience excellent for customers, both online and in-store.  The judging for the competition is conducted by a panel of 25 independent experts and thought leaders from corporations, academia, and marketing/ad agencies.  Competitors were graded on criteria including: innovation; the shopper insight and emotional connection; how much the initiative improved the retail experience; and business results achieved.

As the top winner in the competition, Tide Dry Cleaners has now been highlighted and showcased on the Hub website at: http://www.hubmagazine.com, in addition to being prominently-featured in a special supplement to the November print and online issues of The Hub Magazine, along with 35 other Gold, Silver and Bronze winners.

The Tide Dry Cleaners business model is a natural extension to the Tide brand, following extensive P&G research and interaction with dry cleaning customers that confirmed that they were not satisfied with their current dry cleaning experience, often citing poor customer service, inconsistent cleaning performance and unsatisfactory clothing appearance as outages. Tide Dry Cleaners has responded to this consumer feedback by setting a new standard in dry cleaning.  Each location offers convenient, 24-hour access, a clear pricing structure, and many locations can also include drive-thru valet service.

Tide Dry Cleaners also brings industry-leading innovation and breakthrough cleaning technology to its customers. Through its partnership with GreenEarth®, and utilization of other P&G fabric care cleaning solutions for wet and dry cleaning, Tide Dry Cleaners is able to deliver amazing cleaning for a wide range of garments and textiles.

“Our close relationship with consumers and our focus on consumer-driven innovation has allowed us to better-understand the needs of the dry cleaning customer,” says Eisel. “We’re proud to offer a new dry cleaning experience to our customers, and we look forward to bringing Tide Dry Cleaners to more people throughout the country in the near future.”

Tide Dry Cleaners Cleaning Benefits:

• Tide Back-to-Black™: Helps get even more life and wear from all-black cotton garments with an infusion of color.
• Tide ColorGuard™: Helps keep colors where they belong – in your clothes.
• Tide SpotLift™: Stain removal technology for a deep down fiber clean.
• Tide FreshScent™: Finally, dry cleaning with a crisp and clean scent.
• Tide Restore™ for Colors: Helps bring faded colors back to life.
• Tide Restore™ for Whites: Helps whites stay bright.

Rising Tide®

Tide Dry Cleaners is actively seeking passionate entrepreneurs for franchising opportunities across the United States.  For more information on these opportunities, or to learn more about the innovative Tide Dry Cleaners business, please visithttp://www.tidedrycleaners.com.

About Tide®

For 65 years, Tide has been caring for the clothes of American families and helping to provide the everyday miracle of clean clothing. Please visit http://www.tide.com for helpful product information, practical tips on laundry care, special offers and promotions, updated fabric care articles, and an interactive Stain Detective, which provides official Tide stain removal solutions.

About Procter & Gamble

P&G touches and improves the lives of about 4.4 billion people around the world with its portfolio of trusted, quality brands. The Company’s leadership brands include Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Fairy®, Gain®, Pringles®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun®, Fusion®, Ace®, Febreze®, and Ambi Pur®. With operations in about 80 countries, P&G brands are available in more than 180 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

About P&G FutureWorks

P&G FutureWorks is the “Entrepreneurial Engine” for Procter & Gamble.  As an important and integrated Corporate New Business Incubation Unit within P&G, we have responsibility and resources to create and operate businesses, from idea to scale-up, which involve new categories, new business models, or new capabilities for our Company. By connecting with best-in-class innovators and external partners, our scope has expanded beyond P&G’s strategic core businesses into new channels and domains.  Franchising is one of those key domains, resulting in the successful launch of both Tide Dry Cleaners® and Mr. Clean Car Wash® through Agile Pursuits Franchising, Inc. (APFI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Procter & Gamble Company.  For more information on P&G FutureWorks and our current focus areas, please visit our newly-launched website at http://futureworks.pg.com.

About GreenEarth® Cleaning

GreenEarth was founded in 1999 by three experienced dry cleaners, Jim Barry, Ron Benjamin and Jim Douglas. GreenEarth technology is licensed by more than 1300 dry cleaners worldwide. For more information, please visit http://www.greenearthcleaning.com.

Los Angeles, CA  (Profitable.com)  More consumers are looking for a good value during this holiday season according to a new infographic analysis from CreditDonkey, a credit card comparison website.

Infographic: http://www.creditdonkey.com/holiday-shopping-trends.html

The infographic cites price being the most important factor to 63% of holiday shoppers, according to a study by Harris Interactive. With over $30 billion in sales through electronic shopping and mail order houses according to the US Census Bureau, consumers are flocking to online deals.

“Free shipping deals, convenience and more variety are just a few reasons why more consumers are opting to shop with their mouse this year,” says Charles Tran, founder of CreditDonkey. “Not to mention, there is no need to worry about traffic or the cost of gas and dining out when you shop online.”

Online holiday shopping increased 15.2% in 2010 compared to 2009, according to a recent study by the National Retail Federation. In addition, special days such as Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Super Saturday attracted substantial crowds and significant discounts.

Visit http://www.creditdonkey.com/holiday-shopping-trends.html to view the full infographic on holiday shopping trends, including: Black Friday statistics, where consumers will shop this year, what shoppers are spending their money on, and how they are spending their time.

The folks at CreditDonkey also recommend these tips to help save money during the holidays in these tough economic times:

• Focus your spending on immediate family members and less on coworkers and acquaintances.
• Credit cards usually offer more security and protection than debit cards. Use a no fraud liability credit card to get peace of mind and protect yourself from unauthorized charges.
• Make sure gift cards are legitimate. Scammers often email faux free gift card offers during the holidays. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
• Safeguard your account information. Do not give out personal information to fraudulent sources. During the holidays, callers and emailers often pose as banks, retailers, credit card companies, and even charities to scam unsuspecting consumers.
• View your credit card statements regularly to make sure there are no fraudulent purchases.

Consumers can visit CreditDonkey to compare credit card deals before their next holiday shopping spree. Rewards may vary significantly between credit cards, so it is always best to compare at CreditDonkey to get the best rewards.

Eagle, ID  (Profitable.com)  Celebrity Chef Tyler Florence is partnering with Alexia Foods, a line of premium, all-natural frozen potatoes, appetizers and side dishes, to help make everyday meals extraordinary and to kick-off the brand’s “Reinvent a Classic” campaign. Now through March 2012, consumers across the county are invited to have their culinary opinions heard by helping vote for the next great Alexia french fry flavor to be sold in stores.

Earlier this year, Alexia invited 22 of the country’s top food bloggers to showcase their culinary talents by submitting recipes for the next great french fry flavor. The submissions were narrowed down to the top four, which Florence helped unveil at the annual Foodbuzz Blogger Festival in San Francisco this past weekend. Fans can now view the top four finalists and select their favorite on the Alexia Foods Facebook page. In addition to voting, consumers can get a $1 off coupon for Alexia products, while supplies last, and enter for a chance to win a trip for two to San Francisco complete with dinner prepared by Tyler Florence.

“I’m constantly adding new ingredients and special touches to reinvent classic dishes and now consumers have the chance to help Alexia do the same,” said Florence. “From Bruschetta Waffle Fries with basil and oregano to Thai Spiced Sweet Potato Fries with lime, ginger and red Thai curry, this year’s ‘Reinvent a Classic’ campaign has a flavor for everyone.”

How to Vote:

Now through March 30, 2012, consumers can visit www.Facebook.com/AlexiaFoods and click on the “Reinvent a Classic” tab to cast their vote for one of the following fry flavors:

• Bruschetta Waffle Fries (created by Farihah Ali of Spice’s Bites)
• Classic Dill Julienne Fries (created by Angela Williamson of Fab Find Foodie)
• Thai Spiced Sweet Potato Julienne Fries (created by Marla Meridith of Family Fresh Cooking)
• Herbes de Provence & Garlic Sweet Potato Julienne Fries (created by Chrystal Baker and Amir Thomas of The Duo Dishes)

This is the second year for Alexia’s “Reinvent a Classic” campaign. Thousands of votes were cast for last year’s winner – Parmesan Lemon Waffle Fries, which will be available in stores beginning January 2012. To see Tyler Florence’s exclusive recipe pairing for the new Parmesan Lemon Waffle Fries and to cast your vote for the next great french fry flavor, visit www.Facebook.com/AlexiaFoods.

More from Alexia

Alexia Foods has a wide variety of gourmet-inspired fries including Waffle Cut Sweet Potato Fries with Seasoned Salt, Julienne Fries with Sea Salt, Spicy Sweet Potato Julienne Fries with Chipotle Seasoning and much more. In addition to all-natural, premium fries, Alexia offers a full line of gourmet-inspired frozen potatoes, appetizers and breads and side dishes that go from freezer to table in less than 30 minutes, including new Alexia Sweet Potato Puffs.

About Alexia

Alexia Foods was founded in 2002. Alexia products are available at natural, gourmet, club, grocery and mass retail stores. For more information, please visit us at www.AlexiaFoods.com or www.Facebook.com/AlexiaFoods.

New York  (Profitable.com)  Nintendo Wii affirms that it is the number one video game system for America’s youth and surpasses Sony’s Playstation 3 to become the Video Gaming Platform Brand of the Year, reports the 2012 Harris Poll Youth EquiTrend® study byHarris interactive (NASDAQ: HPOL). While game systems in general receive higher equity scores than other technologies surveyed, Nintendo Wii earns the overall highest equity score among all technology brands included in the study.

Jeni Lee Chapman, Executive Vice President and leader of Harris’ Brand and Communication Consulting group, observes, “For video gaming to have the highest equity scores compared to all other tech categories, and Wii the highest within the category, implies that Wii has serious potential to stretch into other products. Just as Apple entered the hearts and minds of consumers through music with iTunes and the iPod, Nintendo has entered into youth’s heart with their video gaming platform. One day we may be saying, ‘move over Apple, here comes Wii.’”

Meanwhile Apple brands sweep the personal device arena and rank highest in Computer, Mobile Phone and Computer Tablet categories, proving itself the undisputed leading electronics brand among young consumers.

“Within personal electronic brands, these findings clearly show that among teens and young adults, it’s Apple’s world. We’re all just along for the ride,” said Regina A. Corso, Senior Vice President for Youth and Education Research at Harris Interactive. “With each new Apple generation and gadget, competitors are playing catch-up and youth are ready to leap on board. iPad is a great example of a new Apple product dominating its industry—the tablet already has the largest equity lead over competitors than either of its sister brands.”

Youth EquiTrend calculates brand equity by measuring familiarity, quality, and purchase consideration; develops an average score for each category; and awards “Brand of the Year” honors to the highest ranking brands in their respective categories. Within the 13 youth interest categories that comprise the study, there are four technology, telecommunication, and gaming groups:

Computer (13-24)

• Apple Computers is the 2012 Harris Poll Youth EquiTrend® Computer Brand of the Year, followed by Hewlett-Packard, Sony, and Dell.

Mobile Phone (13-24)

• When it comes to mobile phones, Apple’s iPhone is the 2012 Harris Poll Youth EquiTrend® Mobile Phone Brand of the Year. HTC phones, Samsung phones, and LG phones follow in rank order.

Computer Tablet (13-24)

• Looking at the newest form of computer – the tablet—again Apple tops the list. iPad is the 2012 Harris Poll Youth EquiTrend® Computer Tablet Brand of the Year. Motorola Xoom, BlackBerry PlayBook, and Samsung Galaxy round out the brands that rank above category average.

Video Gaming Platform (8-24)

• Among all youth, the Nintendo Wii is the 2012 Harris Poll Youth EquiTrend® Video Gaming Platform Brand of the Year, followed by the Sony Playstation 3 and then the Nintendo DS.

Methodology

The Youth EquiTrend® study evaluates measures including: Equity, Emotional Connection, and Brand Advocacy. The keystone to the program is Equity, which provides an understanding of a brand’s overall strength and is determined by a calculation of Familiarity, Quality, and Purchase Consideration.

This year’s Harris Poll Youth EquiTrend® study was conducted online among 5,077 U.S. consumers ages 8-24 in August, 2011. A total of 121 brands were rated among 8-12 year olds and 167 brands among 13-24 year olds.  Each 8-12 year old respondent was asked to rate a total of 15 randomly selected brands and each 13-24 year old respondent was asked to rate a total of 22 randomly selected brands. Each brand received at least 130 ratings. Data were weighted to be representative of the entire U.S. population of consumers ages 8-24 on the basis of age, sex, education, urbanicity (8-17 year olds) race/ethnicity, region, parental education (8-17 year olds) and income (18-24 year olds), and data from respondents ages 18 and over were also weighted for their propensity to be online.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

The EquiTrend® study results disclosed in this release may not be used for advertising, marketing or promotional purposes without the prior written consent of Harris Interactive.

Product and brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

For a complete listing of all the brands covered in the study, contact Dagney Cassella at 212-539-9600 ordcassella@harrisinteractive.com.

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is one of the world’s leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American and European offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us – and our clients – stay ahead of what’s next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

Press Contact:
Corporate Communications
Harris Interactive
212-539-9600
press@harrisinteractive.net

Bentonville, AR  (Profitable.com)  It’s HERE! The coveted Walmart Black Friday circular was released today to shoppers on Facebook and Walmart.com to help families plan their holiday shopping and get more Christmas for their money. Everything from the hottest TVs to gaming consoles and top toys will be available at great savings during three special-shopping events, while supplies last.

Walmart’s Black Friday events will be held at the following times*:

• 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 24) – Top Toys, Home and Apparel
• Midnight on Black Friday (Nov. 25) – Electronics! Electronics! Electronics!
• 8 a.m. Nov. 25 through the weekend – Gifts for the entire family; electronics and more

“Our customers told us they would rather stay up late to shop than get up early, so we’re going to hold special events on Thanksgiving and Black Friday,” said Duncan Mac Naughton, chief merchandising officer, Walmart U.S. “We’ll have this season’s hottest gifts at prices only Walmart can provide. And by sharing our Black Friday specials earlier than ever, we hope to make buying decisions easier for parents working hard to give their families the Christmas they deserve.”

Thanksgiving Day at Walmart.com: All-day long on Thanksgiving, shoppers can get great online-only specials and save with free “Fast, Faster, Fastest” shipping options. Examples of a few of the incredible online savings include:

• 46″ HDTVs for under $400
• Electric Ride-Ons for children, priced under $40
• Choice of four select Blu-ray™ discs for only $20

10 p.m. Savings on Toys, Home and Apparel: For the first time, Walmart will be kicking off its in-store specials at 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Savings available in store, while supplies last, include:

• Xbox360 4GB with Kinect Console – $199.96 plus a $50 Walmart gift card
• Select DVDs – starting at $1.96
• 6V or 12V Ride-Ons (e.g., Jeep Wrangler, X Games ATV or Barbie Jeep) – $99 each
• Barbie, Disney Princess or Bratz branded Fashion Dolls – $5 each
• 8ft Inflatable Santa or Snowman – $20
• Paula Deen®  20-Piece Cookware Set – $86.44
• Black & Decker Blender, Coffeemaker or Electric Griddle – $9.44 each
• Men’s Wrangler, Ladies Rider and Junior LEI Jeans – $9.97 each
• Kids Character Sleepwear Sets – $4.47
• Rival Mini Chopper or 2-Slice Waffle Maker – $2.84 each

Midnight Electronics Event: Starting at midnight, shoppers will have access to great savings on a wide assortment of top brand name flat-screen TVs, digital cameras, Blu-ray players and printers. Examples include:

• Emerson®  32″ LCD TV (31.5″ diagonal screen size) – $188
• LG Blu-ray™ Player – $49
• Kodak C1450 14 MP Camera – $49
• Sansui 19″ TV (18.5″ diagonal screen size) – $98
• HP All-in-One Printer – $19
• HP®  15″ AMD Dual-Core Laptop – $248
• Philips® Wi-Fi Blu-ray™ Home Theatre – $178
• Magellan 4.7″ GPS – $69
• 8GB iPod Touch – $195
• Samsung 51″ Plasma TV (50.7″ diagonal screen size) – $498

Incredible Specials throughout the Weekend**: Shoppers can continue to check off their holiday shopping list with great specials starting at 8 a.m. on Black Friday. Examples include:

• Goodyear Tires starting at $59
• Vizio®  42″ 3D LED Wi-Fi HDTV (42.0″ diagonal screen size 1080p)  – $598
• Buy any smartphone*** with a contract and get a $100 Walmart gift card
• Disney®  The Lion King™, Cars 2™, or Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides™ DVDs – $12.96 each

Don’t Forget Your Map!

Walmart is also helping shoppers plan their in-store shopping strategy by making available store-specific maps on Facebook. To access the map, shoppers simply need to find their favorite store by clicking on the “My Local Walmart” application on Walmart’s Facebook page.

Match Any Competitors Ad

Along with its full plate of Thanksgiving weekend specials Walmart promises to match the price of any local competitor’s printed ad for an identical product, including matching competitor’s deals for the day after Thanksgiving.

ATTENTION TELEVISION AND WEB MEDIA

Walmart sound bites and b-roll supplementing this release are available for local television and Web use. Interested media can access the full clip at http://walmartstores.com/blackfriday

*Except where prohibited by law. Please contact your local Walmart for store hours.

** Prices may vary in Alaska, Hawaii, Oklahoma and Wisconsin.

*** Offer does not include Apple® iPhone products. See store for details. Carriers, plans, and products may vary by store.

About Walmart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at over 9,700 retail units under 69 different banners in 28 countries. With fiscal year 2011 sales of $419 billion, Walmart employs 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://walmartstores.com, and on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.

Hoffman Estates, IL  (Profitable.com)  To help shoppers save more money this holiday season, Kmart has lowered prices on some of its best-selling toys, including several from its popular Fab 15 list, which includes the hottest gift items that are guaranteed to be on every kid’s wish list. Kmart dropped its prices on a variety of toys now, before the busiest shopping days of the season, so customers can get an early start crossing off items from their holiday list for the most important gift recipients—children.

“With more customers shopping earlier than ever, we wanted to make sure they didn’t have to wait to get great deals,” said Hugo Malan, SVP and president, Toys, Fitness and Sporting Goods for Sears Holdings. “These new low prices, combined with our industry-leading layaway program, guarantee our shoppers can get the top toys at great prices before the holiday shopping crunch.”

Now through Nov. 23, Kmart shoppers can find the following deals on the must-have toys of the season. For even more savings, customers can use coupons on an assortment of toys found in the Kmart Toy Catalog.

To help shoppers plan ahead, Kmart offers an extensive layaway* program so customers can choose their items early—while they’re still in stock—and pay over time. Available in-store and online, Kmart’s layaway program allows consumers to make bi-weekly payments over the course of eight or 12 weeks. Plus, with new Shop Here, Pick Up There options, shoppers can browse items on Kmart.com and have the option of using layaway online, then conveniently pick up the items at a local Kmart store.

“We continue to improve and update our online shopping features to be among the best in the industry,” said Julia Fitzgerald, chief digital engagement officer, Toys, Fitness and Sporting Goods for Sears Holdings. “From Kmart’s online layaway to its digital Toy Catalog, customers can get hassle-free shopping, shipping and savings from the comfort of their homes.”

To browse for the season’s hottest toys at amazing prices, visit www.kmart.com/toys.

About Kmart

Kmart, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a mass merchandising company that offers customers quality products through a portfolio of exclusive brands that includes Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, County Living, Route 66 and Smart Sense. For more information visit the company’s website at www.kmart.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at www.searsholdings.com.

*Requires down and biweekly payments.  All fees non-negotiable.  Cancellation fees apply.  Not available at all stores.  Exclusions apply.  See store for details.

Sandusky, OH  (Profitable.com)  K’NEX, America’s Building Toy™ company headquartered in Hatfield, Penn., and Cedar Point amusement park/resort in Sandusky, Ohio, have announced plans to sponsor the second Cedar Point K’NEX Great Thrill Ride Build-Off in 2012. The contest began on Nov. 1 and will run through April 2, 2012.

School groups grades 6 through 12 are challenged to build the most innovative and thrilling amusement park ride model using only K’NEX pieces. A select group of K’NEX designers and Cedar Point ride engineers and officials will choose five winners to exhibit their creations at Cedar Point during Math & Science Week and remain on display throughout the park’s 2012 operating season. Additional prizes include K’NEX building sets, online store credit codes, and Cedar Point tickets.

New in 2012, one of the five winners will be chosen by the public to be the “Fan Favorite.” The five winning models chosen by K’NEX and Cedar Point will be posted at www.knex.com for the K’NEX and Cedar Point fans to vote upon. The “Fan Favorite” will receive a variety of additional prizes including an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Cedar Point and an invitation to visit K’NEX headquarters in Hatfield.

In its inaugural year, the contest generated submissions from across the nation including California and New Jersey. The five winning schools represented three different states: Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Courtney Washington, the teacher of the winning classroom from Glenfield Middle School in Montclair, N.J., traveled more than 500 miles to see her students’ work on display. Washington even received a letter of recognition from President Barack Obama honoring the work she has done with her class.

“We were thrilled to be selected as one of the winners and the students had an awesome learning experience. They were actively engaged and highly dedicated to their project,” said Washington. “There was an abundance of teachable moments throughout the entire project. They were able to apply engineering, physics, social studies and language arts to mathematics.”

To be eligible, students must consider mathematical and scientific applications such as potential and kinetic energy, speed, acceleration and gravity. The project is intended to encourage students to apply their knowledge of math and science in a fun and innovative way.

“We were extremely impressed by the quality of rides submitted by the school groups last year,” said Rob Decker, corporate vice president of planning and design at Cedar Point. “We look forward to seeing the unique and inspiring projects submitted for this year’s contest.”

To enter, school groups must submit a 500-600 word description as well as a video and photos of the ride. Entries will be evaluated on creativity, uniqueness, detail and accuracy of the ride description. Class or student groups can register by visiting the K’NEX website.

“Last year’s Great Thrill Ride Build-off was extremely successful.  Students were able to mesh their creative skills with the principles of math and science,” said K’NEX President and CEO Michael Araten. “We are excited to partner with Cedar Point again to provide a challenging and fun learning experience to students around the country.”

For more information regarding the Cedar Point K’NEX Great Thrill Ride Build-Off, visit the Cedar Point or K’NEX website. You can also receive updates throughout the duration of the contest on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cedarpoint orwww.facebook.com/buildknex.

About Cedar Point’s Math and Science Week

During Math & Science Week, special educational programs, demonstrations and activities designed for middle and high school students are presented at the park. For additional information about Math & Science Week at Cedar Point, please visit www.cedarpoint.com/mathscience.

About K’NEX Brands

Founded in 1992, K’NEX Brands, the world’s most innovative construction toy company, was established to make and sell what has become one of the world’s leading integrated construction systems for children. Winner of over 200 international awards and recognitions, K’NEX is America’s building toy company focused on Building Worlds Kids Love, and encourages youngsters to “imagine, build and play.”  For more information, please visit www.knex.com.