Events

New York City -- The National Retail Federation on Friday released its 2010 list that annually ranks the 10 stores with the best customer service.

The list is based on surveys of more than 9,000 shoppers, all asked the following question: “Thinking of all the different retail formats (store, catalog, Internet or home shopping), which retailer delivers the best customer service?”

In total, the NRF ranked 46 stores, and will release the complete list in January.

New York City -- Forever 21’s massive Times Square flagship, a shop that sells ice cream made to order and frozen with liquid nitrogen, and a new beauty-and-wellness concept in Hong Kong are on a list of the hottest new stores around the globe.

The list comes from the folks behind the cutting-edge, London-based retail consultancy echochamber.com:

Austin, Minn. -- Centro Properties Group said Tuesday that Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts has opened a 15,000-sq.-ft. store at Austin Town Center, in Austin, Minn. 

Austin Town Center is owned by Centro Properties Group, based in New York City.

Bridgeview, Ill. -- Rose Paving Co., which provides complete parking-lot management solutions nationwide, has been named a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace for 2010 in the small-sized company category. One hundred companies, organizations, and agencies were honored at an awards ceremony on Nov. 9 hosted by the Chicago Tribune.

The awards, given for measured qualities including company leadership, career opportunities, workplace flexibility, and compensation & benefits were presented to Chicago-area companies for the very first time.

Philadelphia -- Centro Properties Group announced Tuesday that Wine & Spirits has opened a 6,800-sq.-ft. store at Ivyridge, in Philadelphia.

Centro Properties Group, based in New York City, is the owner of Ivyridge.