Department Store

New York City -- Saks Inc. announced that Jack L. Stahl, 58, was appointed to the company’s board of directors effective Jan. 16. He also will serve on the audit committee of the board.

From 2002 through 2006, Stahl served as president and CEO of Revlon. Prior to joining Revlon, he spent over 20 years with The Coca-Cola Co.
 

New York City -- According to a survey released Tuesday by the NRF Foundation and American Express, Amazon.com has the best customer service among U.S. retailers.

The seventh annual Customers’ Choice survey, conducted by BIGinsight and polling 9,374 shoppers, saw the same group of retailers occupy the Top 10 spots in the poll, with some place-switching.

New York City -- Former president Bill Clinton delivered a keynote address entitled “Embracing Our Common Humanity” to an overflow crowd Monday morning at the National Retail Federation’s 101st Annual Convention & Expo in New York.

In his speech, Clinton spoke about the inequality, instability and the unsustainable way of life which makes up the world today, and said there remains a strong connection between social opportunity and economic opportunity.

San Francisco -- A Tuesday report by Reuters said that Wal-Mart filed a motion on Monday to dismiss a lawsuit filed last October by a regrouping of women whose earlier gender bias class action was ended by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Springfield, N.J. -- Luxury watch maker Tag Heuer opened its second North American flagship boutique, an 800-sq.-ft. space in Aventura Mall, Aventura, Fla.

The store is designed as a "lifestyle lounge" and is adorned with Tag Heuer accessories that range from vintage stainless steel cufflinks to the brand's technologically advanced eyewear and communication devices.

New York City -- A report by Reuters on Tuesday revealed widespread Wall Street speculation that Sears Holdings Corp. may go private.

"There is a rumor that Bruce Berkowitz of Fairholme and Eddie Lampert could take Sears private," Jon Najarian, a co-founder of TradeMonster.com in Chicago, told Reuters.
 
Sears has not commented on the rumors, which come days after CIT Group halted loans that Sears' suppliers use to finance the goods they sell to the Sears and Kmart chains.

New York City -- National Retail Federation officials said Monday that a record crowd of 24,000 attendees is expected to converge on its 101st Annual Convention & Expo, which kicked off Sunday at the Jacob J. Javits Convention Center in New York City. The exhibit floor officially opens on Monday.

By Stephen Wyss, BDO USA, LLP