Consumer Electronics

Retailers should brace for strong back-to-school sales according to a National Retail Federation survey that shows a surge in K-through-12 and college spending.

Chicago -- The first of Target’s smaller-format CityTarget urban stores are slated to open on July 25 in Chicago, Los Angeles and Seattle.

Two years in the making, the smaller stores will feature broad offerings in a space two-thirds the size of a regular Target store – or 80,000 sq. ft. to 100,000 sq. ft., compared with 135,000 sq. ft. to 175,000 sq. ft.

Washington, D.C. -- A survey released by the National Retail Federation and conducted by BIGInsight found that the average parent will spend $688.62 on back-to-school items this year, compared with $603.63 last year. Total spending is expected to reach $30.3 billion.

NRF cited an increased number of children entering elementary and middle school this fall, as well as necessary back-to-school replenishments after last year’s cutbacks, for the predicted improvements.

NEW YORK — Best Buy plans to hire 500 new Geek Squad staffers. The move comes some two weeks after the retailer said it would lay off 600 existing workers in the tech support arm of its business as it looked to focus the group less on basic installation services and more on remote tech consulting. It also comes as Verizon announced it was partnering with Geek Squad to offer services to meet the information technology requirements of small and mid-size businesses across the country.

NEW YORK — The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index continues to rise, thanks to improvements in the housing market.

New York -- Best Buy plans to hire 500 new Geek Squad staffers. The move comes some two weeks after the retailer said it would lay off 600 existing workers in the tech support arm of its business as it looked to focus the group less on basic installation services and more on remote tech consulting. It also comes as Verizon announced it was partnering with Geek Squad to offer services to meet the information technology requirements of small and mid-size businesses across the country.

VALHALLA, N.Y. — Fujifilm Holdings America Corporation announced that, effective June 28, Kaz Yamamura has been named as the new president of Fujifilm Holdings America Corporation; and Go Miyazaki has been promoted to president and COO of Fujifilm North America Corporation.

In his new role, Yamamura will also serve as the new chairman and CEO of Fujifilm North America Corp., overseeing management of eleven Fujifilm companies that operate in the United States. He is also a member of the board of directors and corporate VP Fujifilm Corp.

WAYNE, N.J.  — Toys"R"Us, Nickelodeon and Playmates Toys have a potential cash cow on their hands with the revamped "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" CG-animated series and corresponding line of action figures, vehicles, role play items and playsets. The series premieres Saturday, Sept. 29, at 11:00 a.m. (ET/PT) with a one-hour special event. The toys, developed by Playmates, is available in stores and online.