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New York City -- The National Retail Federation on Friday released its 2010 list that annually ranks the 10 stores with the best customer service.

The list is based on surveys of more than 9,000 shoppers, all asked the following question: “Thinking of all the different retail formats (store, catalog, Internet or home shopping), which retailer delivers the best customer service?”

In total, the NRF ranked 46 stores, and will release the complete list in January.

Columbus, Ohio -- Columbus, Ohio-based Nationwide Realty Investors said Tuesday that the Buckeye Hall of Fame Grill at Grandview Yard opened on Nov. 23 near the Ohio State University campus and downtown Columbus.

The 8,000-sq.-ft. restaurant features a full menu, a “Film Room” featuring a 140-in. projection screen and stage, more than 100 pieces of Ohio State Buckeye sports memorabilia and an outdoor patio.

The 2010 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards program recognized retailers from across the nation. Several of the regional retail winners are profiled below.



Matt Rubel learned his craft at an early age. The 52-year-old chief of footwear giant Collective Brands Inc., parent to such brands as Payless ShoeSource, Stride Rite and Sperry Top-Sider, was introduced to retail by his parents.


“I worked in their stores growing up, starting at a very young age,” Rubel said. “I learned that I loved customers and their passion for shopping.”


Rubel has remained true to his early vocation. After graduating college in 1979, he started his career at the legendary Bonwit Teller in New York. From there, he went on to hold leadership positions at some of the nation’s most prominent retail brands. From 1999 to 2005, Rubel served as chairman, president and CEO of Cole Haan, a subsidiary of Nike, where he led a multi-year turnaround,

New York - BCBGMAXAZRIAGROUP, the $1 billion global fashion brand, has launched a new, fast-fashion store concept, Lola, targeted at young women (ages 16 to 26).  The 3,000-sq.-ft. store, has a cool, hip vibe and is designed as an urban studio apartment, complete with fireplace, daybed, spiral staircase,  and closet. Salvaged doors give the storefront a Lower East Side feel.

Washington - Amazon.com, Nordstrom and J.C. Penney are just a few of the retailers that made the grade on the list of the top 10 retailers for customer service as selected by shoppers in the sixth annual NRF Foundation/American Express Customers’ Choice survey.

The survey, which asked 9,291 shoppers which retailer provides the best customer service, was conducted by BIGresearch. In alphabetical order, the top 10 retailers for customer service are:

• Amazon.com

• J.C. Penney

Boston -- The Gymboree Corp. and Bain Capital Partners, on Tuesday announced the successful completion of the company by affiliates of Bain Capital for $65.40 per share in cash, or approximately $1.8 billion.

As of Oct. 30, Gymboree operated 1,049 retail stores: 636 Gymboree stores (595 in the United States; 37 in Canada, two in Australia, and two in Puerto Rico); 148 Gymboree Outlet stores; 122 Janie and Jack shops; and 143 Crazy  stores in the United States.