With the holidays fast approaching, spice and extract company McCormick is holding a contest to find the “best cookie recipe,” with a chance to win a $10,000 grand prize. McCormick is also offering its own special concoction through a partnership with Milk Bar called the “Milk Bar x McCormick Candy Cane Pretzel Bark Cookie.”
Here’s what else is going on in retail this week:
In earnings: It’s a big week for big retailers on the earnings front. Walmart and Lowe’s are reporting Q3 results on Tuesday, followed by Target and TJX Companies on Wednesday, and Ross Stores and Gap on Thursday. The reports will provide a look back at the back-to-school season and a look ahead at the holiday season. Both Target and Walmart had relatively strong second-quarter sales, though Target remained cautious in its full-year outlook. TJX, meanwhile, continued to perform well in Q2, with inflation-weary customers favoring the owner of several discount apparel chains.
In movie releases: Wicked, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, is premiering this Friday, and while that news usually wouldn’t make it into a retail roundup, there’s been plenty of overlap in the lead-up to the release. It’s hard to step into a retailer without running into some Wicked merchandise, with Target in particular promoting its selection of themed toys, apparel, and even beauty products. One Wicked-themed doll was also the source of a major scandal, when the product hit shelves with the wrong URL on its packaging leading customers to a pornographic website.
In philanthropy: Starting today, online shoppers on Walmart can donate to The Salvation Army by rounding up the cost of their purchases. Through December 16, Walmart customers are also able to participate in The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, which allows shoppers to donate items to those in need.