Consumer Affairs & Relations

Insights: Data Security and Customer Loyalty
By: David Kidd, Peak 10

Data privacy and security remain top concerns for retailers. There is good reason for that. The Target breach compromised approximately 70 million records. The Home Depot breach potentially impacted another 60 million consumers. As I write this article, reports are being made public about a breach involving the office supply retailer Staples. We can no longer deny that cybercrime is a real and growing threat to the retail sector.
Ann Inc. names Coca-Cola exec to board
New York – Ann Inc., the parent company of Ann Taylor and Loft, has named Katie J. Bayne to its board of directors. Bayne serves as senior VP, global sparkling brands at The Coca-Cola Company.

Coca-Cola exec adds fizz to Ann Inc. board

Ann Inc. has named Coca-Cola executive Katie J. Bayne to its board of directors as the company looks to increase traffic and sales.

"Katie is an outstanding addition to Ann Inc.'s board of directors. She brings an exceptional background in strategic marketing and brand management that will add value to the company," said Ron Hovsepian, non-executive chairman of the board. "We're delighted to welcome her to the board and look forward to her insights and contributions."
Insights: The Abercrombie & Fitch employee religious accommodation case

By Veena A. Iyer, Nilan Johnson Lewis
Longtime Container Store employees get married at headquarters—with co-founder officating

DALLAS - The Container Store has long been lauded as one of the places to work—and now it looks like it’s also a great place to get married. The chain on Saturday celebrated the wedding of two 25+ year tenured employees—Greg Arechar and Lety Covarrubias—from its distribution Center, at its headquarters. Co-founder and chairman emeritus Garrett Boone, an ordained officiant, led the ceremony.
'60 Minutes' on the next big data breach

Americans’ well-founded apprehension about the security of their personal information received a booster shot of sorts when 60 Minutes aired a disturbing piece about the state of digital security.
Wet Seal names interim CFO

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. - The Wet Seal announced that Thomas R. Hillebrandt will assume the role of interim CFO, effective December 1, 2014, concurrent with the previously announced resignation of Steven H. Benrubi, the company’s current CFO. Hillebrandt has served as VP and corporate controller at Wet Seal since September 2013.
NRF calls for comprehensive immigration reform

Washington, D.C. - The National Retail Federation (NRF) supports immigration reform, but does not think President Obama’s executive action on immigration regulations is the right approach. The NRF has issued a statement from president and CEO Matthew Shay on the announcement that President Obama will issue a series of executive actions on immigration:
Paster Enterprises rebrands to Paster Properties

St. Paul, Minnesota - Shopping center developer and manager Paster Enterprises has rebranded to Paster Properties, and has debuted a new look and website.
Why Alco Stores is going out of business

Coppell, Texas – Bankrupt retailer Alco Stores is going out of business, and closing its 198 stores, a victim of both the economy and the changing retail landscape.

Consumer Affairs & Relations

Insights: Data Security and Customer Loyalty

Ann Inc. names Coca-Cola exec to board

Coca-Cola exec adds fizz to Ann Inc. board

Insights: The Abercrombie & Fitch employee religious accommodation case

Longtime Container Store employees get married at headquarters—with co-founder officating

'60 Minutes' on the next big data breach

Wet Seal names interim CFO

NRF calls for comprehensive immigration reform

Paster Enterprises rebrands to Paster Properties

Why Alco Stores is going out of business