Consumer Affairs & Relations

Former Guess? and Victoria’s Secret executive Amber Fredman-Tarshis has joined Pacific Sunwear of California to help the teen retailer brand reconnect with customers.

Bentonville, Ark. -- For the third consecutive year, Wal-Mart workers at about 1,600 stores are prepping to protest on Black Friday to demand better wages and benefits.   According to pressure group OUR Walmart, the protestors are demanding a $15/hour wage and consistent full-time hours.  

New York -- A petition to get Old Navy to stop charging more for women's plus-size jeans has gathered more than 36,000 signatures online, Bloomberg reports.  

Dollar General is leveraging the expansive reach of its more than 11,500 stores this holiday season to benefit several organizations aligned with the retailer’s mission of serving others.

The retailer is partnering with St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital’s Thanks and Giving campaign and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation’s “You’re the Hero” toy drive, as well as other local toy drives, to offer customers an opportunity to give back this holiday season.
 

Merrillville, Ind. -- DirectBuy, the membership-based buying organization that enables consumers to purchase directly from manufacturers and suppliers, has implemented a new Member Care Advocacy Team. Typical member resolutions include processing membership renewals, updating contact information, resetting passwords, and resolving members’ questions pertaining to orders or membership.  

Walmart EVP of merchandise operations Scott Huff is scheduled to address members of the Bentonville Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce at an upcoming event.

TÜV Rheinland, a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification services, named former Office Depot executive Guillermo Rodriguez to the role of vp North America Retail Management.

Bentonville, Ark. –- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. reportedly sent a memo to marketing managers on Oct. 2 saying that sales need to improve for chilled and fresh items in stores, including dairy, meat and produce. 

 

According to the New York Times, the memo cited customer complaints about expired items, as well as the need for less backup inventory and the rotation of perishable items.

 

Fort Worth, Texas –- RadioShack Corp. is reportedly placing a midday break into its previously planned all-day store hours for Thanksgiving. According to Bloomberg, an internal company memo shows that RadioShack, which had previously planned to keep stores open from 8 a.m. to midnight on Thanksgiving, will now close stores between noon and 5p.m. that day.  

Chicago -– The perception of men as not enjoying the process of grocery shopping may have some truth to it. More men are grocery shopping for themselves or their families now than in the past, but they’re not happy about it, reports The NPD Group.