Department Store

CINCINNATI — Macy's Inc. reported a significant increase in sales for the first quarter, thanks to a strong performance in its online business. The company reported that total sales for the quarter increased 4.3% to $6.1 billion. Online sales for the quarter increased 33.7% and contributed 1.5 percentage points to the company's same-store sales increase of 4.4% for the period.

Macy's Inc. reported an earnings increase of 43% to 43 cents per diluted share, compared with 30 cents per diluted share in the same period last year.

ANN ARBOR, Mich.  — Though 79 is just one point shy of what ForeSee considers a superior score on its annual top 100 online retailers for customer satisfaction list, Target should still be concerned as it was three points behind rival Walmart, and three points does make a difference.

With the lowest score on the list being 69 and the highest being 89, achieved by Amazon.com, most retailers on the list had a score in the 70s, while 36 on the list earned the distinction of scoring 80 or higher. The scores are based on a 100-point scale.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears has launched Team Up to Stop Bullying, an anti-bullying initiative designed to bring solutions quickly and effectively to bullying victims, families, educators and communities.

NEW YORK — Macy's has partnered with fashion icon Nicole Richie (daughter of famed singer Lionel Richie) for an exclusive line for the company's Impulse division. Nicole Richie for Impulse will launch in 100 Macy's stores and at Macys.com in September and will feature apparel inspired by Richie's trendsetting personal style, including 1970s influenced silhouettes, prints and fabrications, the company said.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — "Modern Family" star, Sofia Vergara, is expanding her brand at Kmart with the launch of a new, exclusive home collection. The actress' apparel line launched at Kmart and on Kmart.com in the fall of 2011.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl's has added athletic merchandise from Fila to its exclusive of Kohl's Care collection. Available now through the end of July, the collection offers chic and stylish athletic apparel, accessories and gifts which can be found in all 40 Wisconsin Kohl's stores and online at Kohls.com, with 100% of the net profit donated to support the fight against breast cancer, the company said.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears has launched SearsLocalAd.com, an online service that provides customers with access to additional local deals beyond the weekly Sears print circular or Sears.com. The online shopping portal is dedicated to local customers, allowing them to shop smarter by previewing new local deals updated every week, and includes enhancements for Sears' Shop Your Way Rewards members.

NEW YORK — Sears has partnered withBonnier Corp., publisher of Outdoor Life magazine to launch an exclusive line of Outdoor Life branded sportswear for men.The line will be available in more than 800 Sears stores nationwide and on Sears.com, beginning September.