Consumer Affairs & Relations

By Robert Gordman, president, The Gordman Group

(Editor’s  Note: Retail consultant Bob Gordman offers some interesting insights into what he calls “two of the most dramatically opposite” retail case studies in recent years: lululemon athletica and J.C. Penney Co.)

New York -- U.K. retailing giant Tesco PLC could give up its American supermarket venture, Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, if the chain continues to disappoint and not make a profit, RetailWeek and other British news organizations reported.

In remarks at the company’s annual meeting on Friday, Tesco CEO Philip Clarke said: “If we see there is no chance of success, we’ll do as we’ve just done in Japan,” referring to Tesco’s deal this month to exit that market.

ABILENE, Kan. — A new era has begun at Duckwall-ALCO Stores, as the company's shareholders have approved the company's name change to ALCO. The change was approved at the company's annual shareholders' meeting on June 27. ALCO Stores also plans to change its ticker symbol on NASDAQ to "ALCS." Both the name change and the change in ticker symbol will be effective as of July 6.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s Department Stores has donated $25,000 cash in response to the recent wildfire which caused widespread damage and evacuations in the state of Colorado. Kohl’s is making this donation to the American Red Cross which will deliver much-needed emergency assistance throughout the affected communities including those near Colorado Springs.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Finish Line reported first quarter net sales of $319 million, an increase of 6.5% from the same period last year. Comparable-store sales were up 8% on top of a 6.5% increase last year.

The company reported earnings of 24 cents per diluted share.
   

ARLINGTON, Va. — Texas joins eight other states in taking legislative action requiring online-only retailers, notably Amazon.com, to collect sales tax. Online retailers will have to collect sales tax in Texas beginning July 1.

Arlington, Va. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) gave voice to concerns after Thursday's Supreme Court ruling that  upheld the individual-mandate within the Affordable Care Act.

“With the Supreme Court decision now behind us, the focus must turn to the employer-mandate and the effect that impending changes to employer-sponsored coverage will have on the nearly 170 million Americans who receive health care through their employer,” said RILA president Sandy Kennedy.

Sam's Club was among the highest-rated companies for customer service, according to new research from the Temkin Group. Other retailers included Publix, Hy-Vee, H.E.B., ShopRite, Aldi, Giant Eagle and JCPenney.

Other companies earning top marks included Chick-fil-A, credit unions and Starbucks. Meanwhile, companies with the lowest ratings included Charter Communications, Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Citibank, Qwest, Cigna, and Bank of America.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has donated $30,000 in monetary support and product to assist with Colorado wildfire relief efforts. A $17,500 cash donation was distributed among several American Red Cross chapters in Colorado in addition to $5,000 in product donations for essentials such as water and food. A separate donation of $7,500 in gift cards was given to other nonprofit organizations in the affected areas.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Lowe’s has donated $250,000 to the American Red Cross to help with relief efforts associated with the wildfires in Colorado and the flooding in Florida.

In addition to the $250,000 donation, Lowe’s is also launching a social media support program to aid disaster victims. For every Facebook Like and Twitter Retweet received on the Lowe’s disaster-specific posts, Lowe's will donate a pair of work gloves, up to a total value of $50,000, to the American Red Cross to distribute to residents and emergency officials.