Chicago approves living wage ordinance
Chicago's city council approved an ordinance requiring big-box retailers to pay a living wage, according to a report in USA Today. Large retailers will have to pay wages of at least $10 an hour plus $3 in benefits by mid-2010. The mandate only applies to companies with more than $1 billion in annual sales and stores of at least 90,000 sq. ft. Wal-Mart and Target are now rethinking continued proliferation within city limits, the report said. The first Wal-Mart in Chicago is scheduled to open in September.

Yankee Candle contemplates sale
Falling profits and share prices have Yankee Candle considering a sale, according to a report in Boston Business Journal. The candle maker has hired Lehman Brothers to analyze alternatives for the company. Yankee Candle share prices have fallen 27% in the past 3 months and 2nd-quarter profits have fallen year-over-year from $8.5 million to $4.8 million. Sales to gift stores have dropped and higher petroleum prices pushed up the cost of wax and shipping. Yankee Candle also reported it will acquire Illuminations, a brand of scented candles based in Petaluma, Calif., for $22 million.

Scotts Miracle-Gro posts record 3Q results
Robust sales of garden soils and plant food helped Scotts Miracle-Gro post record sales gains during the 3rd quarter. The company saw a 24% increase in garden soil sales and a 28% increase in lawn fertilizer purchases. The plant food increase was driven by the launch of Miracle-Gro LiquaFeed. The product's year-to-date sales exceed $35 million, making it the most successful new product rollout in the company's history.

Proven Winners hits the road in October
Proven Winners Roadshow will stop in 7 cities Oct. 2-19 to share cultural tips, information on new varieties and merchandising advice. The roadshow will first visit Princeton, N.J., and continue to Woburn, Mass.; Pittsburgh; Minneapolis; Toronto; Seattle and Kansas City, Kan. Registration for sessions is free and includes breakfast and lunch. To register call (877) 865-5818 or visit Proven Winners online.

Aquascape debuts branding strategy
Water garden supplier Aquascape is consolidating all of its brands under one name. To eliminate confusion, the St. Charles, Ill., company is turning to an easily recognizable master brand, Aquascape -- just plain Aquascape without the "Designs." President and CEO Greg Wittstock announced the enhanced branding strategy during a press conference at Pondemonium, a weeklong educational and motivational event for pond builders and retailers. Consumers won't see the effects of these changes until early next year.

Worth a visit
When all is said and done, retailing is about consumers. This month we asked our exclusive consumer panel about their personal shopping habits. Only on GreenBeam.com.