Consumer Affairs & Relations

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation took aim at President Obama and Congress for not doing enough to improve the jobs situation and boost the economy.

On Thursday the unthinkable happened, customers who wanted to do a bit of shopping on Amazon.com were met with an error message as the e-commerce site was down for nearly an hour. 

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — OfficeMax partnered with Chicago Public Schools and wide receiver Brandon Marshall to surprise 100 local teachers on Thursday with a $100,000 total donation in essential school supplies for their classrooms. 

Toronto -- The Home Depot Canada has joined other Canadian retailers in complying with the government's planned phase out of the penny.

However, the retailer noted that many Canadians were unaware of the phase-out, and wanted to ensure its customers that it is doing its best to inform them of the change. As of Feb. 4, the penny will no longer be in circulation.

NORTHFIELD, Ill. — Kraft Foods Group is stepping up its marketing efforts by naming Deanie Elsner to the newly created role of chief marketing officer, reporting directly to company CEO, Tony Vernon.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation is hoping to dispel fears that merchants are expected to surcharge customers for using a credit card as theoretically allowed under a controversial proposed lawsuit settlement with Visa and MasterCard being debated in the courts.

NEW YORK — A breast cancer survivor and her daughter have used the Internet to draw attention to an important issue and potentially create a new category of lingerie.

Debbie Barrett ad Allana Maiden hand-delivered more than 118,000 Change.org petition signatures to Victoria's Secret's New York office on Thursday, asking the lingerie giant to make a line of "survivor" mastectomy bras to help breast cancer survivors feel beautiful again.

WASHINGTON  — The Grocery Manufacturers Association has promoted Sean McBride to EVP communications and membership services, effective Jan. 1. The announcement was made by GMA president and CEO Pamela Bailey. McBride previously served as senior vice president of communications and marketing.