Wal-Mart

Kansas City, Mo. -- H&R Block said it will provide tax preparation services in an estimated 300 Wal-Mart locations nationwide beginning in December. “This new partnership with the world's largest retailer allows us to serve more customers at times and locations that fit their busy lifestyles,” said H&R Block president and CEO Bill Cobb. H&R Block will offer its products and services at its kiosks in Wal-Mart.

Wal-Mart sold a pack of coffee that had passed its expiration date at a store in China’s southwestern municipality of Chongqing, the state-owned People’s Daily reported today, citing a customer surnamed Zhang.

Women pursuing discrimination claims against Wal-Mart filed a reformulated lawsuit Oct. 27 alleging the world's largest retailer treats its female workers in California unfairly. Plaintiffs alleging that the company denied them pay raises and promotions because of gender bias are regrouping after the U.S. Supreme Court dismantled a class of up to 1.5 million current and former Wal-Mart workers in June.

Chicago -- The third annual Mobile Audit, released Thursday by e-commerce and digital marketing company Acquity Group, found that mobile adoption is on the rise. In fact, the percentage of retailers with a mobile site reached 37% in 2011, up from 12% in 2010 and only 4% in 2009 – a 210% increase over the past year alone. The survey also found that one in four retailers have at least one mobile app, with nearly a quarter developing for the iPhone, followed by Android (10%). The number of retailers offering mobile apps grew 278% over the past year, rising

New York City -- Wal-Mart Stores is closing its U.S. apparel office in New York City as it shifts its focus from trendier fashions to more basic clothing. News of the move was first reported by Women’s Wear Daily and Reuters. The office, opened in 2009 in the heart of Manhattan’s Fashion District, reflected the chain’s desire at the time to puts a more stylish and hip spin on its apparel offerings. The office’s functions, which include product development and buying, will be transferred to Wal-Mart’s headquarters in Bentonville, Ark. The move is expected to be completed by Feb.

When the first flakes of a snowstorm start falling in Philadelphia, it doesn't take nearby Home Depot stores long to position shovels and rock salt up near their front doors. At the same time, if a heat wave is blasting Phoenix, shoppers walking into their local Wal-Mart will be tempted to buy air conditioners, kiddie pools and slushy machines.

A week before Halloween and two full months before Christmas, stores are desperately trying to outdo each other in hopes of drawing in customers worn down by the economy.

Wal-Mart stores in the Chinese city of Chongqing reopened to surging crowds today, two weeks after being shut down by local authorities for violating food and product standards. 

Wal-Mart is scaling back health care coverage for future part-time workers and raising premiums for some full-time workers. The giant retailer says rising health care costs are forcing it to eliminate health care coverage for future part-time workers who work less than 24 hours a week.

Coming soon to your local Wal-Mart: more craft beer. In another sign that the fast-growing segment is going mainstream, the nation's largest retailer and biggest beer seller is planning to add shelf space to accommodate more craft brews, former Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott told distributors this week at their annual convention in Las Vegas.