Consumer Electronics

Irving, Texas -- Michaels Stores has learned that PIN pad tampering may have occurred in its Chicago-area stores and that customer credit- and debit-card information may have been compromised.

The company was contacted this week by banking and law enforcement authorities after some fraudulent debit-card transactions were reported over the weekend. Authorities believe the fraudulent transactions may be linked to legitimate transactions in Chicago-area Michaels stores.

NEW YORK —  Consumers took advantage of Easter promotions and helped drive up sales at leading U.S. department stores.

Macy's Inc. reported total sales of $1.924 billion for the four weeks ended April 30, an increase of 10.9% compared with total sales of $1.735 billion in the four weeks ended May 1. The company’s same-store sales were up 10.8%, beating Macy’s guidance for comps to be up between 8% and 9%.

I’m not much of a follower of astrology and the signs of the zodiac, but I do know that 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit on the Chinese calendar.

It seems somehow fortuitous that speed and agility define a year that is all about economic recovery. And retail is moving forward at a rate that, while not exactly hare-like, is at least faster than the proverbial tortoise.

New York City -- Luxury, e-commerce and apparel enjoyed strong growth in April and the restaurant category surpassed last month’s gains, according to MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse, a macroeconomic report tracking national retail and services sales. Electronics and appliance sales registered declines.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Sears Holdings will host its annual meeting on May 4, and attendees present will likely want to know how the company plans to improve sales and return to profitability under the leadership of its new CEO, Lou D’Ambrosio.  

New York City -- Retailers from around the world have until May 20 to enter the annual global competition, the Oracle World Retail Awards. Online entry is open at worldretailcongress.com.

The awards, designed to recognize the outstanding innovation and creativity delivered by l retailers worldwide, are presented each year at a gala event during the World Retail Congress. This year’s presentation will be held Sept. 27 in Berlin.

The winners in 2010 were as follows:

The consulting firm Gravitytank named Bob Thacker as a strategic advisor to help the firm’s consumer electronics, retail, consumer packaged goods and technology clients. Thacker most recently served as SVP of marketing and advertising at OfficeMax and was with Target from 1989 to 1998 as a VP of marketing. He also served as president and CEO of BBDO in Minneapolis and served as an SVP of marketing at Sears.

Indianapolis -- Hhgregg announced that it will open a 31,000-sq.-ft. store in Myrtle Beach, S.C., on May 5.

Like all Hhgregg locations, the new Myrtle Beach store will showcase over 100 digital TVs and has more than 500 major appliances in stock every day.