Apparel

New York City -- Amazon.com, Kohl's Department Stores and Costco Wholesale ranked tops in customer service. according to a new research report published by market researcher Temkin Group.

Retailers took 15 of the top 20 spots in the 2011 Temkin Experience Ratings (www.temkinratings.com), which based its findings on a survey of 6,000 U.S. consumers who had recent interactions with 143 large U.S. companies in a dozen industries.

Suffern, N.Y. -- Ascena Retail Group said that Jay S. Levine has been appointed senior VP, chief accounting officer and corporate controller of Ascena Retail Group with responsibilities for SEC reporting, financial planning and analysis, internal controls and corporate taxes.

Ascena operates 2,478 stores under its, Dressbarn, Maurices and Justice banners.

By Sandra Gold Slon

Who needs an exit strategy? In this economy, most of us are aware of tenants facing difficulties in meeting their lease obligations. If we weren’t thinking about it front and center, it was brought front and center when Borders declared bankruptcy, closing hundreds of stores.

NEW YORK -- Walmart, Target, The Home Depot, Best Buy and CVS took top honors in Interbrand’s annual ranking of the 50 most valuable U.S. retail brands. The U.S. brands are valued in collaboration with Interbrand Design Forum, the retail experience group within Interbrand.

New York City -- Urban Outfitters has been sued by a shareholder who alleges company officials misled investors before the stock declined, Bloomberg reported.

The retailer wrongly led shareholders to believe business was going well until March 7, when it reported earnings of 13% less than analysts had suggested, Edward Koller III claims in a lawsuit filed yesterday in federal court in Philadelphia, the report said. Shares fell 17% the next day, Koller said.

Charlotte, N.C. - Resale clothing retailer Buffalo Exchange brings the original concept of buy-sell-trade clothing to Charlotte with the opening of its first North Carolina store, located in the Plaza-Midwood neighborhood at 1521 Central Avenue, in mid-April.

Seattle -- Nordstrom announced plans to open a Nordstrom Rack in Boise, Idaho.

The 37,000-sq.-ft. store will be part of the Boise Towne Plaza shopping center and is expected to open in spring 2012.

New York City -- Walmart, Target, The Home Depot, Best Buy and CVS took top honors in Interbrand’s annual ranking of the 50 most valuable U.S. retail brands. The U.S. brands are valued in collaboration with Interbrand Design Forum, the retail experience group within Interbrand.

Foxborough, Mass. -- Patriot Place shopping center, located in Foxborough, Mass., announced that Charming Charlie boutique opened today, its first location in Massachusetts.

New York City -- Hennes & Mauritz AB Thursday reported that its net profit in the first quarter fell 30% from a year earlier on “significantly higher” cotton prices, higher transportation costs and a stronger Swedish krona. The chain said profit in the quarter ended Feb. 28 fell to 2.62 billion Swedish kronor ($414 million).