Department Store

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney Co. has launched a charitable initiative, called jcp cares, that will support a new cause each month by inviting customers to round up their purchases to the nearest whole dollar and donate the difference to the company's featured charity partner. The retailer will join its customers in giving back by making a contribution to its charity partner each month.

The program will be supported by a robust, integrated marketing campaign which will include digital, social, mobile, in-store and direct mail and e-mail components.

Denver -- When consumers search for online coupons and savings, 62% search for store-centric deals, 24% for product-specific coupons, and only 14% search specifically for brand name product discounts online, according to the first Buy-havior Report, from coupon-search engine ShopAtHome.com. The report tracks consumer search habits on the site.

Of the 62% of consumers looking for store-centric savings, Wal-Mart was the most-searched for retailer followed by Kohl’s and Target, respectively.

Denver -- When consumers search for online coupons and savings, 62% search for store-centric deals, 24% for product-specific coupons, and only 14% search specifically for brand name product discounts online, according to the first Buy-havior Report, from coupon-search engine ShopAtHome.com. The report tracks consumer search habits on the site.

Of the 62% of consumers looking for store-centric savings, Wal-Mart was the most-searched for retailer followed by Kohl’s and Target, respectively.

The past few months have seen a flurry of store openings in New York City. Here’s a rundown on some of this summer’s hottest new must-sees as chosen by my go-to expert on Big Apple retail happenings Faith Hope Consolo,  chairman of the retail division at Prudential Douglas Elliman:

By Robert Gordman, president, The Gordman Group

(Editor’s  Note: Retail consultant Bob Gordman offers some interesting insights into what he calls “two of the most dramatically opposite” retail case studies in recent years: lululemon athletica and J.C. Penney Co.)

New York -- Best Buy’s founder and former chairman Richard Schulze is not expected to present a buyout or other proposal to the company's board anytime soon, Reuters reported, citing a person familiar to the situation.

Schulze owns more than 20% of the company’s shares. He abruptly resigned from the Best Buy board last June and said he was exploring options for his ownership stake. The company’s shares have risen lately on speculation that Schulze close to presenting a buyout offer.

Arlington, Va. --Texas joins eight other states in taking legislative action requiring online-only retailers, notably Amazon.com, to collect sales tax. Online retailers will have to collect sales tax in Texas beginning July 1.

NEW YORK — The Jones Group has appointed Scott Bowman to the newly created role of group president global retail and international development, effective immediately. Bowman will oversee the international strategy and operations of retail and licensing for the company's portfolio of fashion brands.  He will report to Richard Dickson, president and CEO of branded businesses at The Jones Group.