Apple, Inc.

PORT WASHINGTON — Despite a plethora of constantly changing products, the consumer technology industry saw its sales decline 2% in 2012, according to The NPD Group. This is on top of the less than 1% drop in 2011. Since 2010, consumer technology sales have declined by $4 billion.

Raleigh, N.C. -- Apple, Costco and The Container Store top the “2012 100 Best Retailers To Work For” list compiled by The Retail Life online retail community, which was developed by Headway Workforce Solutions. DSW and American Eagle outfitters round out the top five.

The list, derived from The Retail Life members, was based on a variety of criteria, such as: competitive salaries, employee reviews, company pride, organizational values and culture, socialization opportunities, and career advancement opportunities.

New York -- Apple Inc. will shut down 20 stores and move them to new, larger locations, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, said that the company is looking to relocate the stores in order to make them larger.

The company also will open 30 additional stores at new locations, mostly outside the United States, including its first location in Turkey.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — In a survey of more than 6,200 consumers collected during the peak holiday shopping season between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Amazon scored highest among 25 of the top mobile commerce companies in terms of customer satisfaction, according to a report released Tuesday by ForeSee. 

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- Amazon has extended its domination of e-retail into the mobile platform, according to the ForeSee Mobile Satisfaction Index: Holiday Retail Edition, released on Tuesday by ForeSee.

In a survey of more than 6,200 consumers collected during the peak holiday shopping season between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Amazon scored highest among 25 of the top mobile commerce companies.

New York -- In a survey released Tuesday, Amazon.com topped America’s list of companies with great reputations, joined by Apple and Google in the top five.

The 2013 Harris Poll Reputation Quotient, which polls the general public about the reputations of the 60 most visible U.S. companies, put Amazon in the top spot for the first time, although it consistently has earned high rankings. Amazon edged out Apple, which ranked first last year and second in 2013.

Walt Disney Co., Google, and Johnson & Johnson completed the top five.

Finding the right balance between providing consumers targeted and offers while still respecting their privacy is ongoing battle for mobile marketers. Now, the The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s chief privacy agency, has issued a staff report recommending ways that key players in the rapidly expanding mobile marketplace can better inform consumers about their data practices.

New York -- Apple Inc. has been granted a trademark from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for its store design. The trademark covers the furniture and fixtures, floors, lighting and shelves found in Apple stores, along with the “Genius Bar.”

In addition, the trademark covers Apple’s all-glass storefront design.