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According to a story in the New Haven Register, store employees learned that a $400 gift card she had received from a local cancer treatment center would not cover everything she needed.

One of them contacted the retailer’s corporate office, who agreed to donate a mattress and bedroom furniture. Store employees then donated lamps, a quilt set and a stuffed animal.

The privately held retailer said worldwide sales totaled 24.7 billion euros, equivalent to about $31.9 billion. Total revenues, which include sales and rental income from commercial properties, were 25.2 billion euros, or about $32.6 billion.

Profits totaled 2.97 billion euros, or about $3.84 billion.

Comparable store sales rose 7%, the company said. It didn’t release specific sales and income figures for its U.S. or Canadian stores.

“It’s evident that what we offer is relevant to more and more U.S. customers,” said Mike Ward, Ikea U.S. president. “We remain dedicated to growing even stronger as the leader in life at home, as well as a responsible partner in living a more sustainable life, while supporting our communities with socially responsible programs.”

The company said a key growth driver was its lower pricing strategy on top-selling products. For example, U.S. stores dropped the price of the popular Hovas sofa from $699 to $499, and the Hemnes queen bed frame went from $299 to $199.

The reductions were made possible by shipping larger quantities through flat packing, keeping designs smart and not compromising on quality, the company said.

Danbury Patch.com in Danbury, Conn., Ethan Allen’s headquarters, said the makeover, which included seven homes built in seven days, was aired Friday on the ABC network. The homes were for tornado victims who last everything.

Farooq Kathwan, Ethan Allen’s chairman, president and CEO, was quoted as saying, “The project really hits home for all of us. It’s humbling to see these families - who have suffered inconceivable losses due to the tornadoes - rebuild their homes and their lives.”

The mattresses, with a retail value of about $1 million, also will be used to upgrade bedding in the three Operation Homefront Villages in Gaithersburg, Md., Oceanside, Calif., and San Antonio.

The donation continues Ashley’s longstanding tradition of honoring the military forces, including the creation of Soldiers Walk/Avenue of Heroes in Arcadia’s Memorial Park, which includes a monument for each major conflict in which the United States has fought.

“Military service members and their families continually make sacrifices on behalf of our country,” said Todd Wanek, president and CEO of Ashley. “We are excited to provide these mattresses as a way to partner with Operation Homefront to show our appreciation and provide assistance to our hard-working troops and their families.”

Three Art Van semi trucks delivered the nonperishable items to Gleaners Community Food Bank, where they were to be sorted and delivered to needy recipients. One in every four Michigan households is facing hunger, officials said.

The food was collected at the 34 Art Van Furniture locations during the month-long campaign, the latest in a three-year partnership with the TV station.

“This is a great example of power in numbers,” said Art Van President Gary Van Elslander. “We are so grateful to our guests and all others who brought food to our collection barrels, allowing us to feed so many people, topping last year’s remarkable drive.”

Last year, the joint effort collected 40,000 pounds of food.

Every month, Gleaners feeds around 100,000 families in Metro Detroit. Anne Schenk, a spokesperson for the food bank, said the food drive “really comes right as we are leading into the holiday season when we see need really spike. When the community really comes together, it helps us help our hungry neighbors.”

This is the ninth year the retailer has hosted the Bikes or Bust campaign, which benefits the U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots holiday program.

The Nov. 18-22 event brought in a record 2,849 bicycles. As part of the campaign, Mojo, a morning show host from local radio station 104.3, urged listeners to donate a new bike or money while he spent 104 hours on a 40-foot scissor lift in temperatures that dropped in the low 20s.

Woody Marks, owner of the Huntsville store, said he was pleased with the record-breaking campaign.

“A bike is one of our first freedoms as a child,” he said. “I love being able to have this opportunity to make a difference.”

“Seeing the warmhearted smile of a child who just received a new mattress to sleep on is on the most gratifying experiences you can ever imagine,” said John Disa, president of Ashley HomeStores.

“We have so many people to thank as we begin yet another year of helping those wonderful families, including our local stores, partners and all of the thoughtful community members who continue to nominate these exceptional kids and share their inspiring stories,” Disa said.

Since the program began in 2010, Ashley has made a $5 donation to A Hope to Dream for every mattress purchased by customers at participating locations. Thanks to these efforts, more than 1,300 children are sleeping on a new Ashley Sleep Augusta Memory Foam mattress, and the company plans to boost that number in 2012.

Some stores are going above and beyond the company donation, like the Ashley Furniture HomeStore in Jacksonville, Fla., which just donated 50 mattress sets to the Salvation Army’s Toy Shop.

“Without a safe, comfortable place to lay their heads, children are at a huge disadvantage,” said Disa. “But something as simple as a new mattress can impact a child’s overall health, mood and energy level in a profoundly positive way.”

Pending government permits, installation will begin this winter and will be completed by next summer at its stores in Atlanta; Charlotte, N.C.; Frisco, Houston, and Round Rock, Texas; Orlando, Sunrise and Tampa, Fla.; and Woodbridge, Va., and at is distribution center in Savannah, Ga. The giant home furnishings retailer did not disclose its investment.

Together, the 10 locations will have 10.7 megawatts of solar generating capacity, nearly 45,360 panels, and a projected annual electricity output of 15,248,334 kilowatt hours, the company said. That’s the equivalent of reducing carbon emissions from 2,060 cars or powering 1,310 homes, it said.

The retailer will own and operate each of the solar energy systems atop its buildings.

“This investment by Ikea reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to sustainability and confidence in photovoltaic technology,” Ikea said in a release.

The retailer already has 12 U.S. solar energy systems operating and 11 more under way. Adding the new systems will give Ikea a solar presence in 75% of its U.S. locations and will increase its solar generating capacity of about 26.8 megawatts.

“Ikea believes we can be a good business while doing good business,” said Mike Ward, U.S. president for the Top 100 company.

Other Ikea sustainability efforts include recycling of waste, phasing out the sale of incandescent light bulbs and eliminating plastic bags from the check-out process. The company also incorporates environmental measures into building construction, with energy-efficient heating, air and lighting systems, recycled construction materials, skylights in warehouse areas and water-conserving restrooms.

The Sweden-based retailer has more than 330 stores in 40 countries, including 38 in the United States.

The Present Situation Index increased to 38.3 from 27.1, while the Expectations Index rose to 67.8 from 50.0, the research organization said.

“Confidence has bounced back to levels last seen during the summer,” said Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center, noting that the index hit 59.2 in July (1985=100). “Consumers’ assessment of current conditions finally improved after six months of steady declines. Consumers’ apprehension regarding the short-term outlook for business conditions, jobs and income prospects eased considerably. Consumers appear to be entering the holiday season in better spirits, though overall readings remain historically weak.”

Nov. 15 was the cutoff date for preliminary results from the monthly Consumer Confidence Survey, conducted for The Conference Board by Nielsen.

Consumers’ appraisal of present-day conditions improved in November. Those stating business conditions are “good” increased to 13.3% from 11.2%, while those stating business conditions are “bad” declined to 38.2% from 43.7%.

Consumers’ appraisal of the labor market was also more upbeat. Those claiming jobs are “plentiful” increased to 5.8% from 3.6%, while those saying jobs are “hard to get” decreased to 42.1% from 46.9%.

Consumers’ short-term outlook, which had declined in October, was less negative in November. The proportion of consumers anticipating business conditions to improve over the next six months increased to 13.6% from 10.2%, while those anticipating business conditions will worsen declined to 15.8% from 21.3%.

Consumers’ outlook for the job market also improved. Those expecting more jobs in the months ahead rose to 12.9% from 10.8%, while those expecting fewer jobs decreased to 24.1% from 27.6%. The proportion of consumers anticipating an increase in their incomes rose to 14.9% from 11.1%.