Retail

Yonkers, N.Y. -- Americans are frustrated with the state of customer service, according to a new survey by Consumer Reports magazine. In the survey, 65% of the respondents said they are "tremendously annoyed" by rude salespeople and 64% said that they had left a store in the previous 12 months because of poor service.

Consumer Reports also found that 71% of survey respondents were extremely irritated when they couldn't reach a human on the phone.

New York City -- Johnny Rockets debuted its updated interior design at its just-opened restaurant at South Street Seaport, in New York City.

"I've waited 10 years for this site, and we've taken great care to preserve the historical aspects of the building, while keeping to the tradition of our sleek and modern American feel," said Johnny Rockets franchise owner Bill White. "

Amsterdam -- Dutch retailer Koninklijke Ahold N.V. reported Tuesday that profit for the first quarter increased 6% to $423.84 million, citing a 6% sales rise and lowered operating costs for the improved performance.

Ahold generates more than half its sales in the United States through its Stop & Shop, Giant Carlisle and Giant Landover banners. In the Netherlands, it operates under the Albert Heijn banner.

The company didn't give any guidance or detail on its growth strategy.
 

The mixed-use project MarketStreet Lynnfield continues to forge ahead, as co-developers WS Development and National Development announced on June 6 that Whole Foods Market, Kings and Legal C Bar have signed leases to join the property.

Whole Foods will open a 45,000-sq.-ft. store at MarketStreet Lynnfield, which is located on Route 128/I-95 spanning Exits 42 and 43 in Lynnfield, Mass.

As part of our ongoing coverage of RECon, the annual retail real estate convention conducted by the International Council of Shopping Centers and held May 22-25 in Las Vegas, Chain Store Age talked with Adam Ifshin, president and CEO of Tarrytown, N.Y.-based DLC Management Corp., to get his take – post-convention – about the state of the industry.

What are your key takeaways from RECon 2011?

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Borders Group executive VP and chief merchandising officer Michele Cloutier has resigned, Borders said in a late afternoon Friday filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

It is the latest in a string of high-level departures from the bookseller as it struggles to emerge from bankruptcy protection.

On Thursday, the company received a deadline extension until mid-October to file a plan to restructure. An attorney for Borders said parts of the company could be sold in as quickly as two weeks.

Austin, Texas -- Digby announced Tuesday that U.K. apparel retailer Republic has launched a mobile optimized website through Venda’s advanced mobile platform powered by Digby.

Through the platform, Republic is introducing mobile as a strategic channel that complements its e-commerce site and more than 110 retail stores across the United Kingdom. The mobile shopping experience will allow customers to search, browse and buy products in as little as 60 seconds from mobile devices such as iPhone/iPod Touch, BlackBerry and Android.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Monday named Steve Pemberton the company’s divisional VP of diversity and inclusion, becoming the company’s first chief diversity officer.