Marketing

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- Publix Super Markets and Nordstrom are the highest ranked bricks-and-mortar retailers in a report released Tuesday by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). While supermarkets overall are up 1.3% to 76, Publix remains the grocer to beat, with a score of 84.

The best of the best among all retailers — traditional or online — is Amazon, with a score of 86, followed by online retailer Newegg at 85. Next in line are two more websites: Overstock at 83 and eBay at 81.

Seattle -- REI announced that Annie Zipfel has been promoted to senior VP marketing. With her, REI will not hire a chief marketing officer as previously announced, but instead add a senior creative leader to the company.

Zipfel joined REI in 2012 as the divisional VP customer marketing, and was named VP of the marketing division in January 2014. Prior to REI, she held leadership and strategic roles at Target and General Mills.

Lexington, Mass. -- The Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group (PLG), which owns such brands as Sperry Top-Sider, Saucony, Keds and Stride Rite, announced today that is has signed new agreements with partners in 10 countries to continue the rapid international expansion of several of its brands in Mexico, Indonesia, Japan, five South American countries and the Czech Republic.

Cincinnati -- Macy’s net income in the three months ended Jan. 28 rose a better-than-expected 12% to $745 million as the chain, buoyed by strong holiday and online sales. The company has now seen net income rise in three straight quarters.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s fiscal fourth-quarter profit dropped 4.2%  on higher costs, but its U.S. business continued to draw in more shoppers.

Net income was $5.16 billion in the three months ended Jan. 31, compared with $6.05 billion in the year ago period. Net sales, excluding membership fees from its Sam's Club division, rose 5.8% to $122.3 billion.

Is it any wonder that online giants Google and Amazon are both reportedly planning to test the waters with physical stores? Certainly not when you look at some of the retail stats from Apple’s amazing first quarter (ended Dec. 31, 2011). The company had record revenues of $46.3 billion, and its stores continue to astound.

Consider:

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — A spokesman for Sears Holdings Corp. said that the owner of Sears and Kmart stores is cutting 100 jobs at its headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Ill.

According to Chris Brathwaite, Sears spokesman, the cuts cover a range of positions. The terminated employees were notified Thursday.

The retailer has not said whether additional cuts are planned.

ST. LOUIS — Six percent more men are doing the primary grocery shopping for their families versus five years ago, according to results of a new survey by Schnucks.

SKOKIE, Ill. — A member-owned cooperative serving the food industry has appointed a new leader.

Topco has named Randall Skoda as its new president and CEO following the retirement of Steven Lauer. Skoda has served as interim president and CEO since December of last year. Prior to that, Skoda served as EVP for four years.

Nordstrom’s transition from a retailer best known as an operator of upscale department stores to an off-price discounter is poised to continue in 2012 as expansion plans for Rack outlet stores outpace those of full line Nordstrom stores.