Transform SR Brands LLC

After a successful launch of a menswear line at Sears, singer Adam Levine is launching an exclusive women’s wear line at 500 Kmart stores and supporting the initiative with a strong digital component.

Sears Holdings announced that Levine’s line would be available on Thursday, April 10 at Kmart and the retailer’s shopyourway.com online site.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized Sears Holdings with a 2014 Energy Star Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award. Sears Holdings, an Energy Star partner since 1998, will be honored for its long-term commitment to energy efficiency.

The company's related accomplishments in 2013 included:

A week after it divested Lands’ End, Sears announced plans to launch Now + Here, a fast fashion shop available in Sears stores across the country, on Sears.com and Shopyourway.com, the second week of April. The Now + Here shops offer a new shop environment with monthly deliveries.

The move comes as the company continues to transform into a member-centric retailer leveraging Shop Your Way and integrated retail.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. – Sears is launching Now + Here, a fast fashion shop available in Sears stores across the country, on Sears.com and Shopyourway.com, in the second week of April. The Now + Here shops offer a new shop environment with monthly deliveries.

The fully integrated retail experience extends online with access to exclusive content, including behind the scenes videos and fashion tips.

Chattanooga, Tenn. — The Cheesecake Factory and H&M will open at Fayette Mall in Lexington, Ky., as part of a redevelopment by owner CBL & Associates Properties.

The redevelopment will renovate a former Sears store and expand the mall entrance to create 115,000 sq. ft. of new retail space for a mix of fashion and home furnishing stores and restaurants. Construction has begun, and CBL expects the work to be completed this fall.

I recently attended the 2014 SPECS (Store Planning, Equipment, Construction Services) conference in Grapevine, Texas, and came away with some fascinating food for thought. The event, which is produced by Chain Store Age, celebrated its 50th anniversary this year.

Waban, Mass. -- Sam's Club and Amazon.com deliver the best customer experience in the retail industry, according to the 2014 Temkin Experience Ratings, an annual ranking of companies based on a study of 10,000 U.S. consumers. Sam's Club and Amazon.com continue their reign as the highest-rated retailers for the third straight year, each earning an "excellent" rating.

A study of 10,000 U.S. consumers’ attitudes about retail customer service saw Sam’s Club best Amazon.com and dozens of other retailers among a field of 268 companies.