Events

Quick. Name the winner of this past season’s American Idol.

Did the name Scotty McCreery immediately come to mind? The country crooner’s distinctive voice probably gives him a better chance of commercial success than some other recent winners, and Walmart is doing its part to jump start his career along with other Idol runners up.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation said Thursday that it is disappointed in the final debit card swipe-fee regulations set by the Federal Reserve.

Under the new rule, the current debit card swipe-fee rate of 1%-2% of each transaction will be replaced with a flat fee of not more than 21 cents per transaction for the nation’s largest banks -- substantially higher than the flat fee of up to 12 cents the Fed originally proposed in December 2010.

Former and short-time Walmart executive Robert Atencio is among a group of marketers slated to interview former P&G chairman and CEO A.G. Lafley during an event called Shopper Insights in Action. The 11th annual event is billed as a riveting brainstorming session in which the former P&G head will share thoughts on the future of research, marketing, retail and the evolution of the changing consumer. Atencio, who formerly served as VP insights and customer strategy at Walmart, is currently VP global insights at Pfizer Consumer Healthcare.

Teen apparel retailer rue21 is celebrating the opening of its 700th store, in New Braunfels, Texas. The chain is on track to open 110 locations this year. Commented president and CEO Bob Fisch: “We remain one of the fastest growing retailers in the nation. I would like to thank our real estate, construction and field teams and recognize their hard work, which allows us to celebrate another significant milestone for rue21."
 

New York City -- O'Neill Clothing, a surf, snow and youth lifestyle brand, will open a flagship in Santa Monica, Calif., on July 8.

Inspired by the oceanfront home of company founder Jack O'Neill's, the store is designed to offer an authentic environment to illustrate the brand’s lifestyle. Window displays showcase one-of-a-kind artwork from O'Neill employees and friends, and the interior is lined with various photography from past decades and current advertising campaigns.

For the second year in a row, retailers’ expansion plans are on an upward trajectory, according to Chain Store Age’s 2011 Store Construction & Outfitting Survey, an annual survey of retail building activity and development costs. In other findings, the cost of lighting, signage, roofing and other store-outfitting systems decreased compared with last year.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — HSN announced that on Sept. 21 and 22 it will debut an exclusive collection from designer Adam Lippes.

Lippes Love ADAM collection will feature sleek button down blouses, modern wide-leg pants, printed dresses, fur-trimmed outerwear, embellished skirts and cropped jackets, HSN reported.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club is helping parents prepare for the back-to-school season by offering free children's health and ID screenings at stores nationwide on July 9.