Associations

NEW YORK — eBay is taking a stand against counterfeit goods by partnering with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) to launch "You Can't Fake Fashion," a new campaign to celebrate original design. Part of the campaign includes the creation of totes, customized by 50 designers, which sport the tagline "You can't Fake Fashion."  This collection is now on sale exclusively at eBay Fashion Vault at fixed, "Buy It Now" prices.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation said it supports a transportation reauthorization proposal released today by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica, R-Fla., but expressed concern over the measure’s funding levels.

New York City -- The International Council of Shopping Centers is forecasting an increase of 3% to $39 billion in total sales over the three-month back-to-school shopping season.

According to ICSC on Thursday, sales for the back-to-school season -- typically the second-largest driver of the year -- are predicted to be healthy.

Strongsville, Ohio -- The IBM Retail User Group announced Thursday that drugstore retailer Duane Reade is the winner of its 2011 Retail Innovation Award.

The award, which was accepted by Richard Gilbert, director of store systems for Duane Reade, was presented at the User Group’s 34th annual conference in Orlando, Fla., in May.

The innovative solution provider Retail Tech jointly with RTC Group and Agilysys were also honored with the 2011 Retail Solution Innovation Award.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation said Thursday that it is disappointed in the final debit card swipe-fee regulations set by the Federal Reserve.

Under the new rule, the current debit card swipe-fee rate of 1%-2% of each transaction will be replaced with a flat fee of not more than 21 cents per transaction for the nation’s largest banks -- substantially higher than the flat fee of up to 12 cents the Fed originally proposed in December 2010.

Dallas -- A survey released by Lucernex Technologies that polled the National Retail Tenants Association members about preparedness for the upcoming FASB changes found that, for the most part, retailers are generally not ready for the new rules to take effect.

In the NRTA membership survey “FASB Preparedness in the Retail Industry,” five key findings were revealed:

New York City -- The Private Label Manufacturing Association reported Tuesday that store brands have capped a decade of strong growth by posting sales increases across all three of the major retail channels in 2010 and pushing dollar market share to new all-time highs in supermarkets, drug stores and total outlets.

WASHINGTON — Walmart announced that, through its charitable arm the Walmart Foundation, it has launched a $25 million giving campaign aimed at filling the gaps created when schools close for the summer. Funding to more than 350 local nonprofit organizations will help expand nutrition, learning and employment services for elementary, middle and high school students throughout the 2011 summer months, the company reported.

Walmart said it would address the achievement gap between higher- and lower-income youth by focusing on three key areas:

WASHINGTON — The Retail Industry Leaders Association announced that Louis D'Ambrosio, president and CEO of Sears Holdings and Joseph DePinto, president and CEO of 7-Eleven, have been named to its board of directors.

Washington, D.C. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association announced Thursday it has added two retail industry executives to its board of directors during its semi-annual meeting held this week in Washington, D.C.

Joining the board are Louis D’Ambrosio, president and CEO of Sears Holding Corp., and Joseph DePinto, president and CEO of 7-Eleven.