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Luxottica Group Announces Venture to Expand in Australia and New Zealand February 08, 2010 Milan, Italy-based fashion eyewear retailer Luxottica Group S.p.A. has announced a long-term joint venture for the Australian and New Zealand markets with Essilor International, a leader in opthalmic optical products.
Verizon Wireless Store Awarded EPA's ENERGY STAR Rating February 08, 2010 The Verizon Wireless Communications store in Columbia, Md., has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) ENERGY STAR, the national symbol for superior energy efficiency and environmental protection.
Jones Apparel Acquires Robert Rodriquez Collection February 08, 2010 New York-based Jones Apparel Group Inc. has acquired Moda Nicola International LLC (MNI), owner of the Robert Rodriguez Collection, a privately held designer, marketer and wholesaler of women's contemporary eveningwear and sportswear.
Dollar General to Open 600 Stores in 2010 February 05, 2010 Goodlettsville, Tenn.-based Dollar General Corp. announced plans to create approximately 5,000 new jobs this year to support the planned opening of 600 new stores over the next 12 months.
Movie Gallery to Shutter 805 stores February 05, 2010 Wilsonville, Ore.-based Movie Gallery Inc., which operates stores under the Movie Gallery, Hollywood Video and Game Crazy banners, plans to shutter 805 underperforming U.S. stores, according to Reuters.com.
Bed Bath & Beyond to Open First Hawaii Store February 05, 2010 Union, N.J.-based Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. plans to open its first Hawaii store later this year at the Pearlridge Center, according to The Honolulu Advertiser.
Chick-fil-A Outlines Expansion Plans for 2010 February 04, 2010 Atlanta-based fast-food chain Chick-fil-A ended 2009 on a positive note by marking the company’s 42nd year of consecutive sales growth.
Walmart Cuts 300 Home Office Jobs February 04, 2010 In a memo to company employees, Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc. President and CEO Mike Duke announced organizational changes at the company's Home Office division, including the elimination of about 300 positions in Northwest Arkansas, primarily in corporate support areas.
American Eagle May Close Martin + Osa Chain February 04, 2010 According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, American Eagle Outfitters Inc. may be considering shuttering its 28 Martin + Osa stores.
Citigroup Opens Six Hong Kong Full-Service Retail Branches February 03, 2010 Vikram Pandit, CEO of Citigroup, today officiated the opening of six full-service retail branches in Hong Kong, increasing Citibank's retail network in Hong Kong to 32 branches.
Forever 21 Unveils New Big-Box Concept in California February 02, 2010 Los Angeles-based Forever 21 Inc. has unveiled its new big-box concept in Cerritos, Calif., at the Los Cerritos Center mall, according to Mercurynews.com.
Hackett's to Unveil New Concept Store in Queensbury, N.Y. February 01, 2010 Ogdensburg, N.Y.-based retailer Hackett's Stores Inc. plans to launch a new concept store called HIIO in Queensbury, N.Y., this year, according to Poststar.com.
Jones Apparel Group Appoints New President, CEO of Branded Businesses February 01, 2010 New York-based Jones Apparel Group Inc. announced the appointment of Richard Dickson to the position of president and CEO, Branded Businesses of Jones Apparel Group Inc., effective Feb. 8.
H&M Reports 21 Percent Quarterly Profit Increase January 29, 2010 Stockholm, Sweden-based fast-fashion retailer Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M) announced an increase in its sales figures, reporting that sales for December rose 15 percent, compared to the same month last year, with same-store sales increasing 3 percent, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Red Mango Sets Record Franchise Expansion January 29, 2010 Dallas-based all-natural nonfat frozen yogurt retailer Red Mango announced record franchise development during 2009, signing 42 franchisees to open a total of 219 locations.
Arby's CEO Steps Down January 29, 2010 Atlanta-based Wendy's/Arby's Group Inc. announced that Tom Garrett, president and CEO of Arby's Restaurant Group Inc., is leaving the company.
Golfsmith Announces Store Plans for 2010 January 28, 2010 Austin, Texas-based golf equipment, apparel and accessories Golfsmith International Holdings Inc. announced plans to open four new stores in 2010, and retrofit several additional stores.
TeachBar Debuts in San Leandro, Calif. January 28, 2010 TeachBar, a new concept blending learning and the café society in a modern setting, debuted on Dec. 16, 2009, located at the Bayfair Center in San Leandro, Calif.
Williams-Sonoma CEO to Retire January 28, 2010 Williams-Sonoma Inc. announced that its Chairman and CEO W. Howard Lester will retire on May 26, 2010, during the annual company shareholders' meeting.
Home Depot to Cut 1,000 Jobs, Close Three Pilot Stores January 27, 2010 Atlanta-based The Home Depot announced that it is cutting 1,000 jobs in an aim to centralize its support operations in the United States, according to The Wall Street Journal.
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RILA Releases January Labor Report February 07, 2010 Arlington, Va.-based Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) released a report by the U.S. Department of Labor indicating the loss of 22,000 jobs in January, while the unemployment rate declined to 9.7 percent.
LEDucation IV to Take Place in New York February 07, 2010 New York-based Designers Lighting Forum of New York (DLFNY), in conjunction with the New York section of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IESNYC) announced the March 3, 2010 LEDucation IV in New York City.
NARMS Announces Board Nominees February 07, 2010 Stevens Point, Wis.-based NARMS International announced its board nominees for the April 2010 to April 2012 term.
Wilson Associates Relocates New York Office February 04, 2010 New York-based Wilson Associates announced the relocation of its New York office to 119 Fifth Avenue, Eighth floor.
Whole Foods to Use Fuel Cell Power for New Store February 03, 2010 Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods Market announced plans to power its newest store in San Jose, Calif. with on-site fuel cell power.
FRCH to Open Brazilian Office February 03, 2010 Cincinnati, Ohio-based FRCH Design Worldwide announced plans to open a Brazilian office for the Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro retail and hospitality markets.
NRF: Valentine’s Day Spending to Reach $14.1 Billion February 01, 2010 According to NRF’s 2010 Valentine’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, which was conducted by BIGresearch and polled 9,578 consumers from Jan. 5-13, couples will spend an average of $63.34 on gifts for their significant other or spouse, compared to $67.22 last year.
Wal-Mart Announces Restructuring, New Global Division January 29, 2010 Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced the consolidation of its logistics, real estate and store operations in the United States.
RILA Appoints Autozone’s William Rhodes as Chairman January 20, 2010 San Diego, Calif.-based The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) announced the appointment of William C. Rhodes III, president and CEO of AutoZone, as chairman of its board of directors.
Consumer Reports Releases January Consumer Reports Index January 17, 2010 Yonkers, N.Y.-based Consumer Reports National Research Center released its January Consumer Reports Index, showing an increase in its Consumer Reports Sentiment Index, from 44.1 compared with 41.8 in December 2009.
GE Lighting Forms GE Lighting Solutions January 17, 2010 Cleveland-based GE Lighting announced the combination of Lumination, its light-emitting diode (LED) systems operation with its commercial and industrial fixture group, GE Lighting Systems, located in Hendersonville, N.C.
L.L. Bean is Number One in Customer Service January 15, 2010 New York-based L.L. Bean Inc. was recently awarded the number one position for its customer service, courtesy of the fifth annual NRF Foundation/American Express Customers’ Choice survey, conducted by BIGresearch.
NRF Elects Macy’s Terry J. Lundgren as Chairman January 13, 2010 The National Retail Federation announced its appointment of Terry J. Lundgren, Macy’s president and CEO, as chairman of its board of directors.
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Video: Inside JCPenney’s Manhattan Mall Store DDI visited the new JCPenney department store at Manhattan Mall in New York and spoke with store manager Joe Cardamone.Click here for a video of that conversation paired with a walk-through tour of the new store. For more on the JCPenney store, look out for DDI's November/December issue mailing out at the end of November.