Consumer Affairs & Relations

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Retail Industry Leaders Association is urging President Obama and his administration to release proposed healthcare regulations that will affect nearly 170 million Americans currently receiving employer-sponsored health coverage.

Washington, D.C. -- A report issued Thursday by the Labor Department showed that applications for jobless benefits fell 14,000 in the week ended June 30, to 374,000.

The news eased some concern that the labor market is faltering further.

“Before today it was pretty clear the labor market had softened over the past few months,” Daniel Silver, an economist at JPMorgan Chase & Co., told Bloomberg. “Today’s reports show a little bright spot.”

 

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. and PLEASANTON, Calif. — Fashion discounters continue to thrive in this economy, with TJX and Ross Stores continuing to report impressive monthly sales results.

TJX reported June sales of $2.3 billion, an increase of 9% over the $2.1 billion achieved during the same period last year. Consolidated comparable-store sales for the five-week period increased 7% over last year.

Plymouth, Minn. -- Christopher & Banks Corp. said Tuesday it had received a takeover offer from private equity firm Aria Partners. The value set on the retailer is approximately $64 million.

The retailer said it will review the offer.

Aria currently owns 4% of Christopher & Banks shares.
 

New York -- Analysts expected 18 top retail chains to report a modest gains in June, as high unemployment and falling consumer confidence have taken a toll on spending.

Among the department store retailers reporting June same-store results so far, the results were largely mixed. Macy’s was among the retailers reporting sales that fell short of estimates. Same-store sales rose 1.2% in June, missing Wall Street’s projected 1.9% gain.

Throughout the retail industry and beyond, Walmart has earned a reputation as a leader in executing sustainable improvements that deliver positive results for consumers, communities and the company’s bottom line. Andrea Thomas, who joined Walmart in 2007, was appointed the company’s first senior VP sustainability in August 2010. Thomas talked with Chain Store Age contributing editor Connie Gentry about what sustainability means at Walmart and how the company leverages its scale to make the biggest possible impact for global good.

Houston -- Francesca’s Holdings Corp. announced Monday that it has appointed Men’s Wearhouse CFO Neill Davis to its newly created position of president. Both companies are based in Houston.

Davis, a 15-year executive of Men’s Wearhouse, has been a board member of the apparel and accessories chain for the past five years. He will officially become Francesca’s president on Aug. 6.

Phoenix -- PetSmart said Tuesday it has named Paulette Dodson to the position of senior VP, general counsel and secretary.
 
Dodson was previously senior VP, general counsel and corporate secretary at Sara Lee Corp. Before joining Sara Lee, she spent 14 years at the Tribune Co. – which owns The Chicago Tribune and The Los Angeles Times – most recently as assistant general counsel for publishing.