Marketing

Washington, D.C. -- A Tuesday report by Bloomberg said that consumer confidence in the United States took an unexpected upward turn in July, from an eight-month low.

Results were led by a rebound in jobs’ outlook over the next six months.

The Conference Board’s index climbed to 59.5 from a revised 57.6 reading in June that was lower than previously estimated, according to Bloomberg research. Economists predicted the July gauge would fall to 56, according to the median forecast in a Bloomberg News survey.

In recognition of his significant contributions to the art and science of supply chain and logistics management, Dr. James R. Stock will receive Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals’ (CSCMP) 2011 Distinguished Service Award.

Stock serves as the Frank Harvey Endowed Professor of Marketing at the University of South Florida and becomes the 46th person to receive the annual award since it was created in 1965. He will be honored during the opening general session on Monday, Oct. 3, at CSCMP’s Annual Global Conference in Philadelphia.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Blockbuster and Netflix may face new competition from Walmart, as the retailer announced that it will launch digital online movie rental and video streaming through its acquired Vudu service. 

The retailer is now offering 20,000 titles that can be viewed on almost any device with Internet access, from PCs to televisions to Sony's PlayStation3 and other Blu-Ray disc players.

Minneapolis -- Supervalu president and CEO Craig Herkert on Tuesday spoke of the company’s “hyper-local retailing” concept during a conference call with analysts and reported by Retailing Today.

Supervalu’s commitment to growing its Save-A-Lot discount banner and its participation in First Lady Michelle Obama’s Partnership for a Healthier America campaign were other significant programs Herkert believes will help differentiate the grocer enough to drive trips and increase consumer loyalty.

FORT WORTH, Texas — RadioShack reported that total net sales and operating revenues from continuing operations for the 2011 second quarter were $941.9 million, compared with $962.3 million for the 2010 second quarter.  According to the company, the decrease in total net sales and operating revenues for the 2011 second quarter was driven by a $76.1 million decrease in sales generated by U.S. company-operated stores.  

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Tuesday promoted Donna Giordano to the role of president of the Ralphs division.

Giordano, 57, has been president of the company's Quality Food Centers division, based in Seattle, since 2002. She succeeds Mike Donnelly, who was recently promoted to SVP merchandising for Kroger.

Toronto -- Sears Canada, a subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corp., said Monday it has hired former Limited Brands online executive VP Steven Goldsmith as its executive VP merchandising, apparel and accessories.

The move comes after the resignation of Sears Canada CEO Dene Rogers and subsequent replacement by former Loblaw Cos. executive Calvin McDonald.

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. — The NPD Group Inc. has named Kevin Gilbert as director of home improvement, reporting to Perry James, the president of home and office supplies. 

Prior to joining NPD, Gilbert was VP client solutions at SymphonyIRI, where he managed the Diageo and Kraft accounts. In addition to his role at SymphonyIRI, Gilbert spent many years in the packaged goods industry in category management, sales development, and trade planning roles, working with such companies as Kellogg, Bayer, and Pinnacle Foods.