Consumer Affairs & Relations

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. — NPD Group named Perry James, a 16-year veteran with the research firm, as the new president of home and office supplies. 

James replaces Peter Goldman, who moved on to a position within NPD as SVP technology analyst business. 

Before his current position, James was president of NPD’s office supplies and software businesses. From 2005 through 2007, he was with the home group on the business development side.

HINGHAM, Mass. — Talbots reported that first quarter income from continuing operations was $0.9 million, or 1 cent per share, compared with last year’s loss from continuing operations of $7.1 million, or 12 cents per share.

New York City -- Johnny Rockets debuted its updated interior design at its just-opened restaurant at South Street Seaport, in New York City.

"I've waited 10 years for this site, and we've taken great care to preserve the historical aspects of the building, while keeping to the tradition of our sleek and modern American feel," said Johnny Rockets franchise owner Bill White. "

Yonkers, N.Y. -- Americans are frustrated with the state of customer service, according to a new survey by Consumer Reports magazine. In the survey, 65% of the respondents said they are "tremendously annoyed" by rude salespeople and 64% said that they had left a store in the previous 12 months because of poor service.

Consumer Reports also found that 71% of survey respondents were extremely irritated when they couldn't reach a human on the phone.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Boyd Clark was named SVP buying at Big 5 Sporting Goods following the resignation of long-time head merchant Thomas Schlauch, the company announced.

Hingham, Mass. -- The Talbots reported Tuesday that first-quarter profit was $739,000, compared with a loss of $4.4 million in the year-ago period. However, net sales dropped 6% to $301.3 million, compared with $320.7 million in the same period last year, and consolidated same-store sales decreased 7.7%.

Results missed Wall Street estimates and the company has lowered its second quarter outlook.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Monday named Steve Pemberton the company’s divisional VP of diversity and inclusion, becoming the company’s first chief diversity officer.

A lot of companies are content to conduct their annual meetings in a hotel ballroom near their headquarters, but not Target. This year the retailer and its senior executives are schlepping east to Pittsburgh where the company’s annual meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 8 at 1:30 p.m. at a store located about five miles east of downtown Pittsburgh at 6231 Penn Avenue. According to the company, “This location allows us to showcase our current general merchandise store design in the latter stages of construction prior to opening.”