Consumer Affairs & Relations

CAMP HILL, Pa. — New Jersey first lady and chairwoman of the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund Mary Pat Christie will visit a Point Pleasant, N.J., Rite Aid store on Friday at 11:30 a.m. with Rite Aid executives to receive money for the fund, Rite Aid said Thursday.

New York -- Terry Lundgren, CEO of Macy’s, took the stand on Monday to testify in the trial of two Macy's lawsuits regarding the deal between J.C. Penney Co. and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. The long-awaited trial began last Wednesday, in New York Supreme Court.

The trial is about whether Macy’s has the exclusive right to sell Martha Stewart branded cookware, bedding and certain other products.
 

HOUSTON, — Apparel and accessories retailer Francesca's Holdings has named Richard Kunes as an independent director to its board of directors, effective Feb. 25, 2013.

Since August 2012, Kunes has served as EVP and senior advisor to the CEO at The Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. Prior to that, he served for 12 years as EVP and CFO. Before being appointed CFO, Kunes served in several financial management positions at Estee Lauder including corporate controller.

NEW YORK — Barnes & Noble founder and chairman, Leonard Riggio, has notified the company's board of directors of his intentions to purchase the company's retail business. 

New York -- With an overall branded basket 4% less expensive than Target’s, Walmart assumes the strongest overall lead in Kantar Retail’s semi-annual pricing study since the study began in 2009.
   
While strategic price discounts on key items continue to be a cornerstone of Target’s price competitiveness, rather than everyday low prices, Target’s overall basket has not been lower than Walmart’s since the January 2011 iteration of this study.

Canton, Mass. -- Casual Male Retail Group will formally change its corporate name to Destination XL Group, Inc. to reflect the company's transition to its Destination XL format stores and DestinationXL.com e-commerce site. The name change will be effective as of Feb. 25.
   
As previously announced, the company's ticker symbol was changed to "DXLG" effective Dec. 5, 2012.
 

One of the largest dividend increases in Walmart’s history helped shareholders look past, temporarily at least, yesterday’s release of sales results that show a disturbing trend at U.S. stores.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Alexa Latimer Dillard, wife of Dillard's founder, the late William Dillard, has passed away.

Born in Nashville, Arkansas on Oct. 30, 1916, Alexa Latimer married William T. Dillard on June 9, 1940. Dillard was known for her quick wit and eye for great merchandise, but more importantly for her unmatched devotion to her family, according to the company.