Retailing Today articles from August 2007

Retailing Today archives from August 2007

Mix of private, nat'l does Goody's well.(Q&A)(dialogue with Mary Kwan)(Interview)
August 13, 2007... KNOXVILLE, TENN. -- Not even two years after going private under owners GMM Capital and Prentice Capital, Goody's Family Clothing is beginning to make a turnaround, with a celebrity line landing in stores this September and a new leadership...

FedEx Kinko's synergies gain traction.(FedEx Kinko's Office and Print Services)(Company overview)
August 13, 2007... DALLAS -- Further acceleration of FedEx Kinko's expanding retail network is improving consumer access to the company's service and product offerings while creating new marketplace dynamics for office superstore, express shipper and print and...

Post-merger CVS numbers see huge rise.(MARKET WATCH)(revenue report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS Caremark announced that net earnings for the second quarter ended June 30 increased 114.1% to $723.6 million, or 47 cents per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $337.9 million or 40 cents per diluted share in...

Whole Foods comps rise 7% in 2Q.(MARKET WATCH)
August 13, 2007... AUSTIN, TEXAS -- Whole Foods reported sales for the 12-week quarter ended July 1 increased 13.2% to $1.5 billion driven by 14% square footage growth and a 7% increase in comparable-store sales. Identical-store sales (excluding four relocated...

Monthly comps: July 2007.(Statistical table)(Brief article)(Company rankings)
August 13, 2007... MONTHLY COMPS: JULY 2007 TOP 10 COMPS GAINERS, RANKED BY % INCREASE American Eagle Outfitters 8.0% Pacific Sunwear 6.6 Costco 6.0 BJ's 5.3 Walgreens ...

Major indices.(Statistical table)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... MAJOR INDICES Close Close Net % 1/17/07 1/31/07 Change Change Retailing Today Composite * 3125.33 2856.32 (269.32) (8.61%) Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) 13955.05...

Stocks bought.(INSIDER TRADES)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... BON-TON: David Zant, officer, bought 6,000 shares on July 25 at $31.11 now owns 52,716 shares. A&P: Eric Clause, officer, bought 3,000 shares on July 25 at $30.85, now owns 19,186 shares. SAFEWAY: Douglas Mackenzie, director, bought...

Stocks sold.(INSIDER TRADES)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... AMAZON: Jeffrey Blackburn, officer, sold 9,500 shares on July 30 at $82.30, now owns 3,345 shares. EBAY: Dawn Lepore, director, sold 20,000 shares on July 24 at $33.05, now owns 20,000 shares. PACSUN: Julius Jensen III, director,...

Staples puts online offerings up for review.
August 13, 2007... FRAMINGHAM, MASS. -- The notion of a retailer empowering consumers by allowing them to post online product reviews was a radical idea when Amazon.com pioneered the practice a decade ago. Today, online reviews are gaining broader acceptance...

Retailers lie in wait for high-definition DVD boom.
August 13, 2007... LAS VEGAS -- High-definition DVD is expected to catch on with consumers, but it's going to take a few more years. That was the conclusion of studio executives and analysts at the annual Home Media Expo in Las Vegas held July 16 to 18. ...

Best Buy offering 'green' furniture line.(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... MINNEAPOLIS -- Best Buy now offers an exclusive line of furniture from lifestyle design company Maria Yee at select Magnolia Home Theater stores. The three-piece collection of EcoLuxury furniture, constructed from environmentally-friendly...

HSN relaunches Web site.(HSN.com)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. -- On Aug. 1, HSN relaunched its Web site, HSN.com. The new site features green screen video technology and original content, along with original and re-purposed television programming. It also offers functionalities such...

Payless teams with famed Ballet Theatre.(Payless ShoeSource )(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... NEW YORK -- Payless ShoeSource and American Ballet Theatre have teamed up to create a new line of affordable dance shoes. The collection, branded ABT for Spotlights, is available in about 3,000 Payless stores nationwide and at Payless.com and...

Staying ahead of 'green' regulations.
August 13, 2007... NATIONWIDE RT REPORT--Sustainability is one of those "Not if, but when" issues. Retailers who begin working on sustainability may provide themselves a real advantage in the marketplace, not only with their customers but also in the light of...

Gap resurgence lies in Canadian retail vet.(appointment of Glenn Murphy)
August 13, 2007... SAN FRANSISCO -- Gap Inc. has tapped another industry outsider to try and turn the company around. After a six-month search, the apparel retailer named Glenn Murphy, a Canadian retail veteran, as its new ceo. While Murphy has more than 20...

VF Corp. turning brand stable into retail strength.(VF Corp. acquired 7 for All Mankind and lucy activewear)
August 13, 2007... GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Apparel company VF Corp. acquired two fashion brands--7 for All Mankind and lucy activewear--for a total of $885 million late last month. The two companies, with combined total revenues of $350 million, will be the...

California grocers' labor agreement win for both sides.
August 13, 2007... DATELINE -- The United Food and Commercial Workers are boasting that the labor agreement with Kroger, Safeway and Supervalu in Southern California is a big win, while the supermarkets are generally discussing it as a win/win situation that...

Wal-Mart merchant moves raise stakes in home, apparel.(appointments)
August 13, 2007... BENTONVILLE, ARK. -- With back-to-school season in full swing and the holidays around the corner, new hires within Wal-Mart's merchandising organization are faced with high expectations regarding the time frame in which they will be able to...

Understanding what matters most at retail.
August 13, 2007... SARASOTA, FLA. -- There is a delicate balance that exists in retail where store-level operators have to keep customers happy while executing new directives from headquarters, and they must do so within the constraints of a labor budget that...

Safeway, Supervalu quarterly earnings reflect positive strides.(Financial report)
August 13, 2007... PLEASANTON, CALIF. -- Supervalu and Safeway both reported strong earnings for their first and second quarters, respectively, last month with Safeway faring better than its rival on the strength of its new Lifestyle store format. The...

Online poll results.
August 13, 2007... MINIMUM PRICING, MASS AFFECT (Poll results collected from July 11 to Aug. 1) Q: GIVEN CURRENT CONDITIONS IN RETAIL, WILL THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION ON MINIMUM PRICING HAVE A SIGNIFIGANT EFFECT ON THE MASS MARKET? It will...

Business 101: verify your sources.(Editorial)
August 13, 2007... If you've ever, stopped to compare the fields of journalism and manufacturing, you can t help but notice a strange similarity. Although at first blush they bear little resemblance, there is one thread that runs through both: an undeniable...

'FTC out to lunch on whole foods; retailing today, June 18, page 6.(Talk Back: Readers Speak Out)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... Dear Tim, Your recent article on the Whole Foods and Wild Oats merger was very interesting and informative. As a former Whole Foods executive, I can say that you failed to mention several key ingredients regarding Whole Foods. They...

Upcoming industry events.(Noteworthy)(Calendar)
August 13, 2007... * The New Consumer Consciousness: What Matters Most To Today's Shoppers A half-day business forum Thursday, Sept. 20, 12:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. The InterContinental Hotel, Chicago, Ill. http://www.sparcawards.com * 30th Annual SPARC...

A sickening amount of ignorance.(Opinion)
August 13, 2007... A regular contributor to Retailing Today, Berman is president of Berman and Co., a Washington, D.C.-based strategic communications, advertising and government affairs firm whose clients include business coalitions and Fortune 500 companies....

Kohl.(EXECUTIVE NEWS)(appointment of Stephanie Streeter )(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... Kohl's announced last month that it has elected Stephanie Streeter to its board, which now has 12 members. Streeter's term will expire at Kohl's 2008 annual shareholders meeting and she will be eligible for re-election by shareholders at that...

Allen Questrom, former ceo of JCPenney and Federated Department Stores (now Macy's Inc.), will assume the role of non-executive chairman of Deb Shops, which is being acquired by Lee Equity Partners, a private equity firm for which Questrom is the senior advisor.(EXECUTIVE NEWS)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... Allen Questrom, former ceo of JCPenney and Federated Department Stores (now Macy's Inc.), will assume the role of non-executive chairman of Deb Shops, which is being acquired by Lee Equity Partners, a private equity firm for which Questrom is...

Jones Apparel Group.(EXECUTIVE NEWS)(promotion of Susan Metzger and Susan Rieland )(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... Susan Metzger has been promoted to the position of ceo of Jones Apparel Group's women's better sportswear division. Metzger has been with Jones for 11 years and most recently served as president of sales and marketing for better sportswear....

Soaring 'eagle'.(WHAT'S HOT)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... While other retailers' comparable-store sales numbers have suffered some in recent months, American Eagle's have stayed strong and should continue to do so as back-to-school shopping continues in force this month. Analysts who had the...

Layers and graphics headline fall fashion.(apparel & accessories)(Survey)
August 13, 2007... Apparel and accessories continue to be the largest spending category for the back-to-school season with $7.6 billion expected to be spent this year and 95.4% of shoppers planning on purchasing apparel and accessories items for their kids,...

Shine on.(ACCESSORIES)(Editorial)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... Shimmer and shine continue to be important when it comes to accessories for girls this back-to-school season. Whether it means embellishments on denim, a sparkly scarf or shiny patent leather shoes, ornamentation continues to be strong in the...

Movie screen seen as best way to reach teen demographic.(apparel & accessories)(Build-A-Bear)(American Girl)(Screen Vision)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... This back-to-school season, retailers are betting on the big screen as the best way to reach teen consumers. Companies such as JCPenney, Build-A-Bear and American Girl have all partnered with cinema advertising company Screen Vision to launch...

Sears Holdings has updated its domestics business, adding a new line of products and expanding an existing brand.(RETAILER NEWS)
August 13, 2007... Sears Holdings has updated its domestics business, adding a new line of products and expanding an existing brand. Kmart is preparing to roll out a line of traditionally styled domestics in September under the Abbey Hill label, while Sears is...

HSN has cooked up another deal with celebrity chef Todd English, who has debuted a new line of environmentally-friendly GreenPan cookware.(RETAILER NEWS)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... HSN has cooked up another deal with celebrity chef Todd English, who has debuted a new line of environmentally-friendly GreenPan cookware. The line features items with Thermalon nonstick coating that is PTFE-free. The six-piece set has an...

The Container Store.(RETAILER NEWS)(Container Store has partnered with Leonard Green & Partners)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... The Container Store has partnered with private investment firm Leonard Green & Partners. It hopes to propel growth and preserve its culture, which has consistently landed it on Fortune's list of "The 100 Best Companies to Work For." The...

Cleaning combos.(WHAT'S HOT)(Bissell introduced cleaning liquid)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... More floorcare products than ever come paired, with an appliance joined to a cleaning liquid and the pairings are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Bissell has just introduced a new cleaning liquid--Concentrated Fiber Cleansing...

Retailers tout whats in store for college kids.(home & housewares)(Editorial)
August 13, 2007... Forget picture frames and posters, the key to home decor for young people is storage. Retailers are taking that to heart in product selection, styling and how they promote online. Lifestyle considerations are increasingly prompting consumers...

Storage smarts.(ACCESSORIES)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... As more people use storage in task-specific respects, products are taking on more attractive appearances. The youth market is inspiring innovation and is causing companies to lean towards more decor-oriented storage. Zeke Abraham, vp of...

Wireless lifestyle brings new elements to home design.(home & housewares)(Editorial)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... If retailers want to pace trends in home furnishings, they should be watching where young adults aspire to spend their time: boutique hotels, spas and at their laptops. Designer Christopher Lowell points out that consumers increasingly...

Movie Gallery.(RETAILER NEWS)(Editorial)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... Movie Gallery received a temporary reprieve from its credit problems. The chain signed a forbearance agreement with its senior lenders in July giving it until Aug. 14 before lenders could take action on Movie Gallery's loan default. The...

Netflix.(RETAILER NEWS)(revenue report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... Online DVD renter Netflix reported its first-ever quarterly loss of subscribers and plans to lower prices to battle Blockbuster Online for market share. The company finished its second quarter on June 30 with 6.74 million subscribers, 55,000...

SanDisk.(VENDOR NEWS)(revenue report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... SanDisk reported a 15% increase in second-quarter revenue of $827 million. Net income for the company specializing in flash-based storage was $28 million and the average capacity of its flash-memory cards was 1,475 MB, a 95% increase from the...

Target gets Blu-ray.(WHAT'S HOT)(Editorial)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... In a surprising move, Target announced plans to get into high-definition DVD hardware during the holidays by carrying Sony's Blu-ray player (pictured). Target will not carry Toshiba's HD-DVD player. In a statement issued July 26, Sony...

Studios fill void with classic comedy releases.(consumer electronics)
August 13, 2007... August and September are typically slow months for DVD releases as studios hold on to their best for the fourth quarter. But many are filling the void with classic comedy releases that have a back-to-school theme and tie in to end-of-summer...

Game consoles.(ACCESSORIES)(revenue report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... After a slow start to the year, Sony Entertainment says that sales of its PlayStation 3 game console are heating up. Sony, which announced a $100 price drop on the PS3 on July 9, said hardware sales at its top five retailers increased...

CompUSA touts technology with latest BTS promotions.(consumer electronics)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... CompUSA is staging a back-to-school promotion that offers discounts on select school-related items and technical services. The "CompUSA on Campus" promotion runs through Aug. 25 and offers low prices on student essentials and some...

Publix.(RETAILER NEWS)
August 13, 2007... Publix's net earnings for the most recent second quarter were $306.4 million this year versus $264 million in the 2006 period, an increase of 16.1%. Earnings per share were 36 cents for the 2007 second quarter of 2007 versus 31 cents per...

Whole Foods Market.(RETAILER NEWS)
August 13, 2007... Whole Foods Market net earnings declined in the third quarter to $49.1 million, or 35 cents per share, from $53.9 million, or 37 cents per diluted share on a GAAP basis. On a non-GAAP basis, the diluted earnings per share were flat. The...

Tesco USA.(RETAILER NEWS)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... Tesco USA has made a deal with Trade Dimensions, a research service of The Nielsen Co., for access to its TDLinx Channel Database, which Tesco will use to analyze each potential store site for its Fresh & Easy convenience grocery concept....

Fruit brews.(WHAT'S HOT)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... Better known, traditionally, in Europe than the United States or even Canada, fruit beers are gaining popularity in North America. A tradition in Belgium and Germany, fruit beers are brewed to complement sweet foods and desserts. However,...

Acai raises bar in good-for-you drinks.(food & consumables)(Sambazon Acai)
August 13, 2007... The juice category has a bright future, in part because kids today are raised on boxes of it. New beverage segments powered by exotic fruits and smoothie and juice bars make the category one that should provide a broader range of opportunity...

Hemp milk.(ON THE SIDE)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... What goes better with cookies than good old milk? Yet, if you're lactose intolerant and you have to look for an alternative beverage to wash down your cookie, one that you can enjoy among the several available, such as soy and rice almond, is...

Got juice? Battery brands power up for mobile consumption.(food & consumables)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... Achanging world is boosting demand for more than one kind of juice. The battery business is changing and retailers are finding space and visibility for innovative products that target more specific needs. Back-to-school might bring iPods...

Army & Air Force Exchange Service.(RETAILER NEWS)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... The Army & Air Force Exchange Service reminded those qualified to shop in its outlets that they never pay sales tax. AAFES also promoted items for the BTS season, such as Toshiba and Compaq computers, buy-one-get-one-free deals on health and...

The NPD Group.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... BTS sales at Staples, Office Depot and OfficeMax will be easier to monitor this year due to a new tracking and point-of-sale service offered by The NPD Group. The service will enable clients to monitor sales trends across 130 categories and...

Office Depot.(EXECUTIVE NEWS)(appointment of Steven Schmidt)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... Office Depot named Steven Schmidt, former president and ceo of ACNielsen, president of its North American Business Solutions Division. Schmidt replaces Cindy Campbell, evp of the division since 2003 who will remain with the company through...

Organized autos.(WHAT'S HOT)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... Driving the kids to school isn't the simple chore it used to be, as devices and distractions conspire to create clutter in automotive interiors. Despite the many nooks and crannies designers build into minivans and SUVs, items such as cell...

Lower prices a boon to supplies category.(hardlines/seasonal)
August 13, 2007... Except for those parents compelled to outfit their kids with an iPhone, designer duds and a Mini Cooper, the prospect of sending kids back to school has never been more affordable, thanks to aggressive price promotions on back-to-school...

Glue & crayons.(ACCESSORIES)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... When it comes to essential accessories for back-to-school, the unrivaled leaders in retail are the 4-ounce bottle of Elmer's Glue and the 24-count pack of Crayola crayons. These two items tend to anchor school supply lists for younger...

Students get 'schooled' by OfficeMax promotion.(hardlines/seasonal)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... OfficeMax stores are targeting teens with a free DVD offer connected to the company's sponsorship of a reality show called "Schooled." Customers who spend more than $50 on school supplies receive a DVD of the hour-long show, which aired on...

Striking a balance between mass & fashion.(KEEPING UP WITH KOHL'S)
August 13, 2007... With exciting new partnerships, continued opportunity for store growth and a welcoming, convenient store environment, Kohl's has emerged as a major player in the mid-tier market. But the company isn't stopping there: With exclusive lines from...

Tapping the trove of high-margin accessories.(KEEPING UP WITH KOHL'S)
August 13, 2007... Kohl's wants its shoppers to shop more across the store. The retailer is encouraging shoppers to buy in its accessories, jewelry and cosmetics departments in addition to its home and apparel departments where customers typically buy the bulk...

What's in a name? Identification--and dollars.(KEEPING UP WITH KOHL'S)
August 13, 2007... Kohl's has a penchant for celebrity partnerships. In fact, stars have helped the company promote its products across all departments. Former MTV host Daisy Fuentes has ad her own line of apparel with the company since 2004. Ashley Judd is the...

Buzz moves beyond fashion as CE picks up shelf space.(KEEPING UP WITH KOHL'S)(Consumer electronics)
August 13, 2007... Home Depot received a lot of attention last year when it began selling plasma TVs and consumer electronics in stores, but the idea of a nontraditional retailer selling CE products is nothing new to Kohl's, which branched into electronics as a...

Ready, set ... launch fall releases set state for 4Q.(Retailing & Entertainment: LICENSING SPECIAL EDITION: BACK TO SCHOOL)
August 13, 2007... September marks an end to the slow summer season for studios and a bridge to the fourth quarter when nearly half of annual sales are generated. And while most of the big theatrical hits are being held back until the holiday shopping season, a...

Room decor: wall posters are so yesterday.(Retailing & Entertainment: LICENSING SPECIAL EDITION: BACK TO SCHOOL)
August 13, 2007... Back-to-school shoppers are already flocking to stores, and one category that's always in demand this time of year is room decor for kids and teens returning to elementary school, high school and college. Disney Consumer Products has a...

Supplies: popular shows, movies lead way.(Retailing & Entertainment: LICENSING SPECIAL EDITION: BACK TO SCHOOL)
August 13, 2007... For years, licensed back-to-school product has been dominated by SpongeBob SquarePants, but newer franchises are now taking the lead and their logos are all over products ranging from crayon sets to backpacks and tote bags. One of the...

Littlest pet shop: future classic.(Retailing & Entertainment: LICENSING SPECIAL EDITION: BACK TO SCHOOL)
August 13, 2007... Hasbro owns a lot of classic toy brands: Nerf, Mr. Potato Head, My Little Pony, Playskool, Tonka and Monopoly, just to name a few. But it was one of the company's fastest-growing brands, the Littlest Pet Shop, that stole the show at the...

This Dolphin even a Seahawk could root for.(Connecting with the Community: Profiles of Public Service)
August 13, 2007... Just because the National Football League begins its 2007 season tainted by the prospect that one of its stars was involved in an organized dog fighting operation, doesn't mean all the news emanating from the league is bad. In contrast...

Next-generation DVD: class is in session.(Retailing & Entertainment: LICENSING SPECIAL EDITION: BACK TO SCHOOL)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... The backers of the rival Blu-ray and HD-DVD high-definition DVD formats have given up fighting each other--at least for now--and are focused on campaigns to educate consumers about the new technology that will someday replace standard DVD....

Shopping outlook.(MERCHANT PLANNER)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... The week prior to the start of the National Football League (Sept 2 to Sept. 8) season will bring the first taste of fall (cool and wet) to parts of the northern tier of the nation with demand shifting from summer seasonal items to jeans,...

Forecast by retail market.(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... FORECAST BY RETAIL MARKET AVERAGE LAST YEAR THIS YEAR City (30 YEARS) (ACTUAL) (FORECAST) Boston TEMP 67[degrees] 69[degrees] 64[degrees] ...

Sustainably Fayetteville.(Editorial)
August 13, 2007... Civic, business and educational leaders in Fayetteville have vision for the city that can sound far-fetched until you have an opportunity to have it explained first hand. According to mayor Dan Coody, Fayetteville Economic Development...

Deepening the ties that bind.(Guest Column)(collaboration between Wal-Mart, BlueCross BlueShield and the University of Arkansas)
August 13, 2007... In an increasingly complex world, universities and businesses must work together to create solutions to modern day problems. Take the situation in New Orleans, for example. At the time of the Hurricane Katrina tragedy, the country's focus was...

Green growth: Fayetteville Mayor Dan Coody wants the city to become a hub for sustainable businesses to create.
August 13, 2007... It should be abundantly clear to anyone only remotely paying, attention the past two years that Wal-Mart s decision to embrace sustainability is transforming its business. Whether it is major projects such as the development of energy...

Integration becoming a reality.(ONLINE AND IN STORES)
August 13, 2007... New online opportunities for Wal-Mart suppliers will be available soon as an upgrade to Walmart.com enables brand marketers to own specific words customers search for on the Web site. "This enhancement to the search capabilities of...

TLE Rodeo returns to Bentonville.(TIRE & LUBE EXPRESS)
August 13, 2007... An estimated 7,000 people are expected to gather in the parking lot of the Wal-Mart supercenter next to the retailer's home office next month for the 9th annual Tire & Lube Rodeo. The event scheduled for Thursday, September 27, was...

Spa and salon is a Fayetteville first.(New in NWA)
August 13, 2007... The opening next month of Arkansas' largest spa and salon in Fayetteville is the latest example of how growth is changing the complexion of the region. Such an upscale project would have been unthinkable as recently as 10 years ago, but...

Investing in the future--in Fayetteville.(New in NWA)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... Apair of stock pickers with backgrounds in the investment banking world have launched a new investment firm in downtown Fayetteville where they hope to earn the trust of Northwest Arkansas residents through their approach to money management....

New firm facilitates understanding of Wal-Mart.(SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT)
August 13, 2007... Wal-Mart's size and complexity present a daunting task to individual and suppliers new to working with the $350 billion company. There is considerable information to absorb and the learning curve is steep, yet there are few structured...

Upscale lodging takes shape at Pratt Place.(New in NWA)
August 13, 2007... Although the quality of hotels and the inventory of rooms available to those visiting Northwest Arkansas has improved dramatically during the past decade, the region still lacks what would qualify as a true upscale lodging experience in more...

Field structure facilitates flexibility.(MERCHANDISING)
August 13, 2007... Wal-Mart's newest supercenter in Orlando, Fla., places a heavy emphasis on catering to tourists--and it should. Orlando is a prime destination for domestic and international tourists as well as trade show attendees who are drawn by the dozens...

People and events.
August 13, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Carrie Hoffine, seated, checks in Cancer Challenge participant Marty Williams for the run. Wal-Mart's Marcy Atkinson was one of more than 300 runners to check in to the race. Far left: Cancer...