WALMART

NEW YORK — Target once again has taken the top spot as the retailer with the strongest consumer brand equity, according to the latest Harris poll.

This marked the second consecutive year Target has led the way in the "value retail" category, with an increasing gap noted between the company and runner-up Walmart, according to the "2011 Harris Poll EquiTrend" study. Target led the way with a ranking of 74.1, while Walmart had a ranking of 70.8. The industry average in the value retail category was 67.3.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that, through the Walmart Foundation, it has donated $319 million in cash and $480 million in in-kind contributions around the globe during the fiscal year ended Jan. 31.

According to Walmart, the company's U.S. giving grew by 64%, largely due to donations of produce, meats, poultry and other nutritious food to local food banks from Walmart stores, Sam's Club locations and distribution centers.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The philanthropic arm of Sam's Club has committed funds to organizations that promote healthy living.

The Sam's Club Giving Program said it will award more than $2.8 million to prevention and awareness programs — which include YMCA of the USA, Sesame Workshop, Alliance for a Healthier Generation and the OASIS Institute — that emphasize positive lifestyle changes and help reduce such conditions as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and more.

NEW YORK — Some of the nation's most popular retailers earned a spot on Interbrand's annual ranking of the 50 most valuable U.S. retail brands.

Walmart topped the list, with Target coming in the No. 2 spot, while CVS/pharmacy, Walgreens and Sam's Club respectively earned the fifth, sixth and seventh spots.

Other retailers on the list included Publix, Dollar General, Costco, Whole Foods and Family Dollar.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Dijuana Lewis was named SVP healthcare solutions at Walmart, the company announced Thursday. She will report to John Agwunobi, who serves as president of Walmart’s health-and-wellness business unit.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart Stores said it will open a new office in Atlanta, positioning the retailer to more effectively manage nearly 1,600 stores in 20 Eastern U.S. states and focus on opportunities to grow its business in such states as New York.

The new Eastern business unit will be run by Rosalind Brewer, president of Walmart East and EVP Walmart U.S.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The Walmart Foundation has donated $5 million to the Meals On Wheels Association of America to help fight senior hunger in communities across the nation.

Through the grant, MOWAA will boost the efforts of senior nutrition programs, organizations that provide critical services to more than 6 million seniors in the United States currently facing the threat of hunger.

NEW YORK — Walmart's efforts to open in New York City were helped last week when a new poll, released Friday, found that New Yorkers would shop at Walmart if one opened in the city.

According to the Quinnipiac University poll, 68% of New Yorkers said that if it were convenient for them, they would shop at Walmart. That is compared with 29% who said they would not.

Nearly identical numbers of people said the chain's lower prices would eat into small business sales.