Consumer Affairs & Relations

New York -- Kohl's has thrown its hat in the growing off-price market.
 
The company has officially debuted its new off-price format, Off Aisle by Kohl’s, with a test store in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

After initially quibbling with an investigation that found instances of incorrectly priced products at stores in New York, Whole Foods co-CEOs, Walter Robb and John Mackey offered a mea culpa in a YouTube video.

The nearly two minute video appeared on Whole Foods YouTube channel on July 1, eight days after the New York Daily News first published an article based on an investigation by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA).

New York – Macy’s Inc. has dumped The Donald.

McLean, Va. – German discount grocer Lidl continues to lay the foundation for its store debut in the United States.

The company which is establishing a U.S. corporate headquarters, in Arlington County, Virginia, announced it will also open a regional headquarters and distribution center facility in Alamance County, North Carolina. The moves are part of Lidl’s early preparations to expand into the U.S. http://www.chainstoreage.com/article/german-grocer-lidl-prepares-us-expansion-open-headquarters-virginia%3Cbr />

Taking proactive approach can save energy, costs

Unexpected heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system repairs or breakdowns can result in unplanned store downtime or customer comfort issues for retail stores. With comfort such an important part of the customer experience, one that can impact sales, HVAC systems are indeed a critical component for retail stores.

In addition, HVAC systems are one of the largest sources of energy consumption in retail stores.

The parent company of Winn-Dixie, BI-LO and Harveys said all profits generated at its nearly 800 stores on July 4 will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project.

The project’s Independence Program is designed to help warriors who need to rely on their families and friends for support due to injuries they have suffered, such as brain injury, spinal-cord injury, or other neurological conditions. Individualized plans are created with goals to provide a future with purpose at no cost to the warriors or their support teams.

Philadelphia -- The Pep Boys – Manny, Moe & Jack is reviewing its options.

The chain announced that its board directors has commenced a review of strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value, including a possible sale, merger or other form of business combination or strategic transaction.

San Jose, Calif. – PayPal Inc, which came under public scrutiny and criticism after announcing a new privacy policy that would require users to allow prerecorded or automated “robocalls” and texts, has backpedaled on that requirement.

In a statement posted on the PayPal site, general counsel and company secretary Louise Pentland cleared up “confusion” around the new policy, which takes effect July 1.

Blue Bell, Pa. – The government is not typically an institution that inspires consumer confidence, and when it comes to protecting personal data, neither is the retail industry.

A large percentage of Americans believe that a breach of their personal data held by a retailer or a government agency is likely within the next year, according to the 2015 Unisys Security Insights survey released today by Unisys Corp. in partnership with Lieberman Research Group.

Several months after its CEO resigned in September, Pep Boys says it is reviewing strategic alternatives, including a possible sale, merger or other deal.