As winter approached, retailers set up shop. Well, winter is here, sort of. Nationally, last month was one of the warmest Decembers on record, and so far January temperatures are above average, according to Planalytics, a research firm that tracks weather’s effect on businesses. Winter hats, coats, and gloves are collecting dust, not snow. On Saturday, the outdoors store REI took the unusual step of making artificial snow in a Manhattan park, hoping to encourage people to buy snowshoes and winter jackets. Home Depot has cut down on items like salt for de-icing, and many of its stores have replaced …

Walmart is producing a Web reality show, "Get on the Shelf," "turning the intense competition to get products on its shelves into an online contest with videos and voting," writes Jack Neff. Marketers -- including Hugs Pet Product, with its portable dog wash and "Uggs-like Pugz Shoes for dogs" -- have until Feb. 22 to submit entries. Consumers  will then vote on which products they'd like to see make it to Walmart.com or their local Walmart store. The top three vote-getters will be sold on Walmart .com, and a grand prize winner will be featured on the home page and …

The shares and options of Sears Holdings Corp rose on Tuesday on speculation the operator of Sears department stores and the Kmart discount chain could go private.

Adidas, which outfits some of the top pro athletes in the world, is turning to high school sports to support the launch of its adizero Rush running shoes. Anchoring multi-media marketing is a 30-second spot that adidas said "celebrates high school athletics and the energy of competition with football players, cheerleaders, coaches and the marching band all rushing to victory in the adizero Rush."

Kobe Bryant takes on the role of motivational guru in "The KobeSystem," a commercial that shows how Nike's Zoom Kobe VII can bring even more success to successful people such as Sir Richard Branson (billionaire businessman), Kanye West (award-winning rapper), Jerry Rice (NFL Hall of Famer), Landon Donovan (U.S. National Soccer Team), Hope Solo (U.S. Women's National Soccer Team), Serena Williams (tennis) and Tony Robbins (self-help speaker/author).

Shopping-mall tycoon David Simon criticized J. Crew CEO Mickey Drexler after the merchant complained loudly at an industry panel about stiff rents and poorly managed malls.

A boutique candy store in San Francisco will see its products, things like Gummy Fried Eggs, Caramel Creams, and Black Licorice Scotties, in 1,767 Target stores across the U.S.

David Beckham will wear underwear for H&M in the Super Bowl. Four others are in the game for the first time: Dannon, Century 21, Lexus and Acura. The David Beckham Body Wear Collection for H&M, starts at $12.95 for a pair of briefs. Dannon trying to improve Americans' snacking habits. And what better stage than the Super Bowl, when snacking is often at its worst? "Now is time for us to step up our game to change that behavior," says Sergio Fuster, head of marketing. Century 21 is saying now is the time to look into the possibilities of homeownership.

Steak 'n Shake opened its first New York City restaurant on Jan. 12, and the chain used the opportunity to debut its new Steak 'n Shake Signature counter-service prototype. The restaurant, with a 50's hamburger joint theme, is just north of Times Square on Broadway, next door to the Ed Sullivan Theater.

The automaker has enlisted supermodel Adriana Lima, rockers Mtley Cre and mixed martial arts fighter Chuck Liddell for its 60-second ad for the Kia Optima Limited. The idea is one man's fondest dream.