Consumer Affairs & Relations

SADDLE BROOK, N.J. - Rug manufacturer Nourison has named Sabrina Roberts has been director of national accounts. Roberts will be responsible for the opening and development of key national accounts at Nourison, as well as assist in expanding business with existing national retail accounts. 

Roberts was most recently with JCPenney, where she helped grow the company's home division online and served as senior buyer for its area and accent rug division. 

ARLINGTON, Va. and WASHINGTON - The National Retail Federation and the Retail Industry Leaders Association both issued statements supporting the final passage of a bipartisan agreement for extending critical individual and business taxes.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Stater Bros. on Wednesday disclosed a more than 4% decrease in sales for fiscal year 2010.

The California supermarket chain said sales for the fiscal year ended Sept. 26 were $3.61 billion, down from $3.77 billion in fiscal year 2009. Sales for the fourth quarter also experience a decline, dropping to $897.4 million, or 3.15%, since the year-ago period.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - As its latest Facebook campaign for hunger relief draws to a close, Walmart is encouraging last-minute "likes" that will help determine which of 100 U.S. cities will receive $1.5 million in grants. The "Fighting Hunger Together" Facebook campaign will end at 12 a.m. on Jan. 1 and is part of the company's $2 billion commitment to help fight hunger through 2015.

Walmart turned to Facebook to spread awareness of hunger with an innovative initiative to determine how $1.5 million in grant money will be divvied up among 100 U.S. cities, but the social media effort is ending soon and Walmart is encouraging last minute “likes” as the New Years Day deadline approaches.

NEW YORK - The Deloitte Spending Index, comprising four components -- tax burden, initial unemployment claims, real wages and real home prices -- fell to 4.29%, from an upwardly revised gain of 4.71% a month ago. According to Deloitte the decline was primarily due to sustained weakness in the housing market despite incremental gains in other areas.  

While such retailers as Kohl’s, Walmart and Office Depot were receiving accolades for their sustainability efforts the past few years, Target was seldom mentioned in the same breath. Target wasn’t exactly destroying the planet, but it was far less vocal and precise than others about its efforts in the area of sustainability. Not any more. The company last week established some clear goals regarding resource usage, waste elimination and carbon footprint reduction and a time frame in which to achieve them.

BRUSSELS - Ikea announced that it has been named the winner of 'Retailer of the Year Europe' 2010. Retailer of the Year is the largest consumer survey in Europe and this year the survey was held in no less than 10 European countries. More than 1.45 million consumers participated in the consumer survey and assessed over 1,100 retail chains, according to the company.

In seven out of the 10 countries, Ikea is in the top five of the 'best' retail chains, the company reported.

MONTVALE, N.J. — Bankrupt grocer A&P has announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York has approved the $800 million debtor-in-possession financing provided by JPMorgan Chase. Of the total DIP facility, a $350 million term loan immediately has been made available.

As previously reported, A&P filed for bankruptcy on Sunday and will keep its 395 stores open and operational during the proceedings.

In addition, the court granted A&P's motion to approve its request for "first day orders," including:

PLANO, Texas - Two members of the Dr Pepper Snapple Group executive leadership team have been promoted to the level of executive vice president, the company announced.

Effective Jan. 1, 2011, David Thomas, Ph.D., is EVP research and development, and Tina Barry becomes EVP corporate affairs. Both continue to report directly to Larry Young, DPS president and CEO.