Consumer Affairs & Relations

Report: Amazon’s 1-Click patent runs its course
A patent that changed how customers make purchases online has expired — and opened up new opportunities for competitors. The “1-Click” patent filed by Amazon in 1997, expired Tuesday. As a result, any brand can now feature this functionality on their own e-commerce site, according to C-Net.
Office Depot names chief marketing officer
Office supply retailer Office Depot has tapped a 30-year marketing veteran to lead its marketing efforts. Office Depot announced that Jerri DeVard has been appointed executive VP and chief marketing officer. She will report directly to Office Depot CEO Gerry Smith.

RPAI: ‘Irma was kind’

Hurricane Irma packed less of a wallop than originally feared, and shopping centers owners are breathing a sigh of relief. Retail Properties of America reported that its six Florida properties emerged from the ordeal practically unscathed.
On heels of Equifax incident, retailers cite need for uniform data breach law

The National Retail Federation is once again making the case for a new federal law on data breach notifications. Citing the recent breach at the Equifax credit reporting agency, National Retail Federation and other industry associations are telling Congress that any new federal law on data breach notification should apply to all industries that handle consumer data.
America's most trustworthy brand is...

Face-to-face human contact is not necessary for a brand to make a strong connection with consumers.
Target pairs associates with digital experts in 'innovation sprint'

Target Corp. has kicked off a partnership with BCG Digital Ventures to conduct a 14-week “innovation sprint.” For the project, BCG's experts (including designers, engineers and investors) are working side-by-side with five Target associates to develop new growth concepts and ideas. (The associates are middle managers from across Target's various divisions, reported the Star Tribune.)
Glimcher named CEO of Starwood

Michael P. Glimcher, who stepped down as the chief executive of WP Glimcher last year, has been named CEO of Starwood Retail Partners. He succeeds Scott Wolstein, who has taken on a new role as senior adviser to the parent company, Starwood Capital Group.
Nordstrom edging closer to going private

One of the nation's best-performing department stores retailers may soon be out of the public arena. Nordstrom family members are close to selecting Leonard Green & Partners to help fund a buyout of their namesake department store, reported CNBC, which cited people familiar with the matter.

At the World Trade Center Mall, honoring heroes is an everyday thing

Outside the Oculus, the skeletal edifice that houses the World Trade Center’s transportation hub, thousands gathered this week to honor American heroes who lost their lives there on 9-11. Inside the Oculus, Westfield’s mall has been honoring America’s military heroes ever since it opened a year ago. Before any store opened its doors, Westfield staged a job fair aimed at enlisting veterans to come to work at Ground Zero.