Consumer Affairs & Relations

The New York attorney general's office has reached a settlement with Lowe's to refund up to 10% of flooring installation fees paid by more than 16,000 customers. The Associated Press reports that Lowe’s, with 64 New York stores, overcharged the customers with a deceptive sales practice that it has since agreed to halt. The retailer had offered installation of carpeting, tile, wood and laminate flooring by third-party contractors at square-foot rates that were applied to materials bought, not those actually installed.

Whole Foods is trying to get its groove back, but after reporting weak fourth quarter results, it is not clear when that will be as the company expressed concern about the competitive climate and the impact on its profit margins.

Lumber Liquidators has selected a banking executive to be its next CEO even as the company continues to struggle from the financial effects of a flooring scandal earlier this year.

The retailer has appointed board member and First Capital Bancorp veteran John Presley as CEO, replacing founder and acting CEO Thomas Sullivan. Sullivan will remain on the board as founder.

Whole Foods is trying to get its groove back, but after reporting weak fourth quarter results it is not clear when that will be as the company expressed concern about the competitive climate and the impact on its profit margins.

The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. has a new finance chief to help the company strengthen its balance sheet.

The retailer has named Nancy A. Walsh to the position of executive VP, CFO of the company, effective Nov. 9. Walsh will have responsibility for Accounting, Treasury, Tax, Credit, Investor Relations, Legal and Internal Audit.

American Eagle Outfitters is adding brands to its portfolio that could diversify the company's reach and eventually lead to new store formats.

American Eagle has acquired Todd Snyder New York, an upscale menswear brand, and Snyder’s Tailgate Clothing Co., a vintage sports-inspired brand that operates a college-town store concept.

Todd Synder, founder and creative director of his eponymous company, will join American Eagle as executive VP, reporting to Chad Kessler, global brand president, American Eagle

Walmart and Hobby Lobby top the retailer list of the first ever annual Faith Equality Index.

Faith Driven Consumer, a group that represents 41 million Christian consumers, has published an index rating the faith compatibility of major brands both in the consumer and entertainment spheres, as well as serving as a voice for this community.

Exceptional customer service continues to drive growth at Publix Supermarkets, which had strong earnings and same-store sales growth in its third quarter.

Publix sales for the third quarter 2015 totaled $7.8 billion, representing a 6.3% increase from last year. Comparable-store sales for the third quarter of 2015 increased 4.2%.