Consumer Affairs & Relations

Costa Mesa, Calif. -- Transwestern announced the renewal of a multi-year, $4.69 million lease of a 53,164-sq.-ft. office space for Anna’s Linens in Costa Mesa’s Harbor Gateway Business Park.
 
The office will continue to be used by Anna’s Linens as its corporate headquarters.

“We are very pleased to maintain our headquarters here in Orange County, where the company was born,” said Alan Gladstone, chairman and CEO of Anna’s Linens.

New York City -- Kenneth Cole Productions' board of directors has formed a special committee of independent directors to consider a non-binding proposal from Kenneth Cole, chairman and chief creative officer, that would take the company private.

Mahwah, N.J. -- The Home Furnishings Independents Association said Friday it has selected TD Retail Card Services’ Renovate Card private-label credit card program for use by its 1,100 retail members nationwide.

NEW YORK — Kenneth Cole Productions' board of directors has formed a special committee of independent directors to consider a non-binding proposal from Kenneth Cole, chairman and chief creative officer, that would take the company private.

A body in motion tends to stay in motion and that appears to be the case with Sam’s Club where a strong fourth-quarter performance is expected to continue in 2012 under the leadership of new president and CEO Rosalind Brewer.

The former Walmart store operations executive took the helm from outgoing Sam’s president and CEO Brian Cornell three weeks ago and is looking to build on the momentum he initiated and was evident in fourth quarter results reported earlier this week.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. posted a drop in quarterly net income amid higher commodity costs.

The chain said fourth-quarter net income fell to $215.6 million from $229.6 million a year earlier.

Total sales increased 6.2% to $13.6 billion. Same-store sales rose 1.5%, excluding fuel.
 

Losing weight is a little like saving money. Consumers will always intend to do more of both, but then reality sets in and they tend to do neither. Retailers can count on that pattern holding true this year, which is good news because a recent study by the National Retail Federation shows those planning to save their tax refund is at an all time high.

Rising consumer expectations have driven a corresponding increase in retail amenities, especially family-oriented provisions such as baby changing tables and child-seating products. Chain Store Age talked with Koala Kare Products’ Brendan Cherry about the evolution of family-friendly retail over the decades.

Since you introduced your first baby changing station some 25 years ago, how has the public’s perception of these types of retail amenities evolved?