Consumer Affairs & Relations

NORTH BERGEN, N.J. — Vitamin Shoppe on Monday opened the doors to store No. 500 in St. Peters, Mo. — the company’s first store in that market and the third in the state.

Daqing, China -- QKL Stores said Monday that it opened a new hypermarket store, its 51st, in Hailin County, Heilongjiang Province, on April 15.

The new store by Northeast China’s leading regional supermarket chain is approximately 7,300 sq. meters and is located in a small shopping center in a newly developed residential area which can serve over 80,000 potential customers.

NEW YORK — Consumers that seek timely and detailed information about product recalls look to multiple resources, according to a new Deloitte survey.

MATTHEWS, N.C. -- Family Dollar Stores announced that it has named Brad Rogers to the position of VP real estate development. Rogers will report to Keith Gehl, SVP real estate and facilities.

“Accelerating new store growth is a key element of our strategic agenda,” said Gehl. “Through Brad’s leadership we will continue our aggressive growth in both new and existing markets to provide budget-conscious customers with a compelling shopping experience in more areas of the country.”

From where I sit, I’ve noticed a certain “buzz” of optimism in our industry -- frustrations and anxieties from a tough couple of years seem to be giving way to increasingly sunny retail sales forecasts. Is this sudden sense of optimism justified by cold, hard facts? Or, is this increasing sense of optimism somewhat irrational?

Target was in the top half of a group of 33 pharmacy retailers ranked by readers of Consumers Reports in the publication’s May issue. Target’s pharmacy received a score of 88 out of a possible 100, which put it well ahead of larger pharmacy operators such as CVS and Walgreens, both of which scored 82 and last-ranked Walmart, which scored 78.

HOUSTON -- Douglas Ewert will become CEO of Men’s Wearhouse effective at the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting on June 15, when founder and current chairman and CEO George Zimmer steps down.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- 3M announced that it has launched the first-of-its kind Scotch Magic Eco-Friendly Tape.

Scotch Magic Eco-Friendly Tape (including refillable dispenser, packaging and tape) is made from more than 75% renewable or recycled materials, the company reported. The boxed refill roll, including packaging, is made from more than 65% renewable or recycled materials.