Retail

New York -- Amazon remains the world's most trusted retailer despite widespread criticism of its tax affairs and labor disputes.

The Internet giant topped a poll of 30,000 consumers in nine countries although the research by OC&C, unveiled on the closing day of the World Retail Congress, revealed that “its crown has very much slipped.”

Consumers were asked to rank nearly 600 retailers on a range of factors such as trust, value for money, service, product, and multichannel capability.

Phoenix -- Rite Aid has renewed its sourcing partnership with Intesource, an e-sourcing provider in the retail, drugstore, grocery and restaurant industries.

Rite Aid has leveraged Intesource's e-sourcing technology since 2009. The partnership helped the chain secure significant savings  on both direct and indirect categories -- including snow plowing services -- and drove efficiencies across the entire supply chain.

Family Dollar saw strong growth in refrigerated and frozen food, health aids and tobacco, which buoyed sales in consumables to 8.3% for the fourth quarter ended Aug. 31. Despite the increase, comparable store sales for the quarter were flat. 

The company’s total net sales for the quarter increased 5.8% to $2.5 billion compared with total net sales of $2.4 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. However, customer traffic and the average customer transaction value were flat during the quarter. 

New York – Jos. A. Bank Clothiers has put in an offer to acquire Men’s Wearhouse for about $2.3 billion in a $48 per share all-cash offer, Reuters reported.

The acquisition would create a men’s apparel powerhouse with over 1,700 stores across the nation. Jos. A. Bank said Men’s Wearhouse was reviewing the proposal, according to the report.

Jos. A. Bank is partnering with Golden Gate Capital on the offer. The investment firm would make a $250 million equity investment in the company.

Changes in foreign exchange rates had a negative impact on Costco’s comparable store sales for the fourth quarter ended Sept. 1, but the wholesaler still reported increases in both its U.S. and international markets.

The company’s comparable sales for the quarter increased 5%. U.S. comparable store sales increased 5% for the quarter, while international comparable store sales increased 4%.

New York -- E-commerce solution-provider Borderfree said it has partnered with The Container Store to expand the chain’s international e-commerce reach in time for the holidays.

Previously only accessible to consumers in the U.S., and Canada, The Container Store’s online product offerings are now available to consumers in Australia, India, Mexico, Germany, France, Japan, Switzerland, Russia, and the U.K.

Washington, D.C. -- Some two-thirds of Americans say they support the Federal e-Fairness legislation calling for collection of online sales tax at the time of purchase.

A national poll conducted by the International Council of Shopping Centers found that a majority of Americans feel it would be far easier to pay sales or use tax on online purchases at the time-of-purchase. The poll also showed an increase in support among voters for federal legislation that would restore basic free market principles for brick-and-mortar retailers.

Las Vegas — Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood resort & Casino has announced the opening of four new restaurants and retailers.

Meatball Spot will bring its Italian cuisine to Miracle Mile Shops this winter. Ketchup Premium Burger Bar will open its doors in November. Tervis will follow in December. Shoe Palace plans to open in February 2014.

Miracle Mile Shops is a 1.2 mile retail/entertainment complex at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. It features 170 specialty stores, 15 restaurants and live entertainment venues.