Consumer Affairs & Relations

New York City -- Target, Kohl's and J.C. Penney ranked highest among discounters in consumer perception in the first half of 2011, according to YouGov BrandIndex. The company interviews 5,000 people each weekday from a representative U.S. population sample, more than 1.2 million interviews per year.

Here is YouGov’s Retail Buzz scores for discounters in the first half of 2011:

PITTSBURGH — Giant Eagle and the international nonprofit organization, Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP), have announced a partnership to develop a comprehensive sustainable seafood procurement strategy.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. and WASHINGTON — When given a choice, American consumers prefer to purchase organic foods, according to the Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll. The survey found that 58% of Americans say they choose organic over conventionally produced foods when they have the opportunity, a number that spikes higher among both young and highly educated respondents. Sixty-three percent of respondents under the age of 35 prefer organic foods, as do 64% of those with a bachelor's degree or more.

New York City -- First Lady Michelle Obama and the Partnership for a Healthier America on Wednesday announced that that several national and regional food retailers have pledged to open or expand stores in low-income markets where finding nutritious food options can be difficult. The chains participating in the partnership include Walmart, Walgreens and Supervalu, which, in total, agreed to open or expand hundreds of locations as part of the effort to eliminate what the Department of Agriculture calls “food deserts” throughout the country.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — SC Johnson is bringing together its cleaning brands in a new, lightweight sprayer.

The SC Johnson all-in-one cleaning system brings together Windex, Fantastik, Scrubbing Bubbles, Pledge and Shout Carpet. The cleaning system allows users to hold 3-of-the-5 concentrated cleaner cartridges at once in a single hand-held sprayer, allowing consumers to seamlessly clean each room and surface by instantly switching among the cleaners.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion stores located along the coasts of North Carolina and South Carolina raised more than $100,000 during the retailer's "Thriller on the Griller at the Beach" events.

The events, which took place from June 17 to July 3 at 14 stores, raised $101,149, Food Lion said. The company said that the funds raised surpassed the retailer's goal by nearly $15,000.

NEW YORK  — The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA) has announced the addition of six new members to the board of directors. The new directors were elected by a vote of the LIMA membership and their terms will run from July 1 through June 30, 2014. 

Joining the LIMA board are: 

CINCINNATI — Kroger banner Smith's has a new president. Mark Tuffin will succeed Jim Hallsey, who is retiring from his post after 47 years of service with Smith's and Kroger, the supermarket retailer announced Tuesday. Hallsey served in his role as president of Smith's since 2001.

Tuffin, who most recently served as Kroger's VP transition, leading the company's efforts to implement significant organizational changes between all areas of the business, brings more than 30 years of experience to his new role. Tuffin joined Smith's in 1996.

I’m not shedding any tears over the demise of Borders and neither is anyone else in the retail industry. It’s just business.

There are always a few sentimental customers who turn up with a choice quote or two in the formulaic media eulogies that appear whenever a retailer goes under, but those customers will just have to find somewhere else to sip coffee and read books for free.

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney Co. said Tuesday that its veteran marketing chief Mike Boylson has retired from the company. His successor will be selected by newly minted CEO Ron Johnson in what will be the former Apple executive’s first senior-level appointment at J.C. Penney.

Boylson was with the department store chain for more than three decades, the last eight years as chief marketing officer. He said in June he would retire from the company on July 1, according to a J.C. Penney spokeswoman.