Lowe's

Although overall sales at Lowe's increased by double digits, the somewhat softer comparable numbers and the decline in net income have taken a little of the shine off first quarter performance.  

Eighteen year-old online home décor and furnishings brand ATGStores.com has a new name, a new look and a new focus on personalized, one-on-one service.  

Three very different retailers earned the top score in a survey of customer experience.   Ace Hardware, BJ's Wholesale Club, and QVC deliver the best customer experience in the retail industry, according to the 2017 Temkin Experience Ratings, an annual customer experience ranking of companies based on a survey of 10,000 U.S. consumers.   

Lowe’s is making it even easier for in-store shoppers to locate home improvement necessities.   By tapping the power of augmented reality, the home improvement retailer introduced its Lowe's Vision: In-Store Navigation app. Called the first retail application of indoor mapping using augmented reality, the app is designed to simplify the home improvement shopping experience.   

Lowe's Companies’ chief marketing head Marci Grebstein has left the company after 14 months in the position.   The home improvement giant wasted no time in naming a successor, tapping Jocelyn Wong as chief marketing officer, effective immediately. Wong joined Lowe's in September 2015, and most recently served as senior VP and general merchandising manager for the seasonal business. Prior to joining Lowe's, she served as senior VP and chief marketing officer at Family Dollar.  

Lowe's Companies has promoted a 20-year company veteran to CFO.   The retailer announced that Marshall A. Croom will succeed Robert F. (Bob) Hull Jr. as chief financial officer, effective March 3. Hull plans to retire after 17 years with the company.   

The NRF Foundation has brought together leading retailers and non-profits to launch a job training and credentialing initiative called Rise Up (Retail Industry Skills & Education).   The program is designed to help people — regardless of education, background, economic means or age — acquire the skills they need to secure jobs in retail and advance into promising careers in every aspect of retail, from in-store to digital and mobile commerce, according to the NRF.  

Watch out Amazon, Walmart may be giving you a run for the money in the holiday toy aisles.