Mass Merchant

Chicago -- A report released Tuesday by The NPD Group said that U.S. consumers have emerged from the recession with a honed ability to stretch their dollars and, now faced with rising food costs, they are turning to the cost-savings tactics they’ve mastered over the past few years.

By Kuruvilla Mathew, [email protected]

The 2011 edition of Interbrand’s Best Retail Brands report again lists Target in the second position with a value of $23.3 billion in between number-one-ranked Walmart at $142 billion and third-ranked Home Depot at $20.3 billion.

New York City -- Amazon.com, Kohl's Department Stores and Costco Wholesale ranked tops in customer service. according to a new research report published by market researcher Temkin Group.

Retailers took 15 of the top 20 spots in the 2011 Temkin Experience Ratings (www.temkinratings.com), which based its findings on a survey of 6,000 U.S. consumers who had recent interactions with 143 large U.S. companies in a dozen industries.

It’s all about the ladies this week at Target as the retailer’s promotional emphasis shifted to spring-time seasonal apparel and related accessories and categories. A quartet of youthful and exuberant models wearing Mossimo and Merona brand dresses were featured on the cover of the weekly ad at the sale price of $17.99. A slightly younger demographic is targeted on the page two and three spread with two groups of three girls sporting Xhilaration and Mossimo Supply Co. styles for $17.99.

By Sandra Gold Slon

Who needs an exit strategy? In this economy, most of us are aware of tenants facing difficulties in meeting their lease obligations. If we weren’t thinking about it front and center, it was brought front and center when Borders declared bankruptcy, closing hundreds of stores.

NEW YORK — Retailers rank supreme for their customer service, according to a new report by the Temkin Group.

 The consulting and research firm analyzed responses from 6,000 consumers, found that Amazon.com ranked No. 1 for providing an "excellent" customer experience, coming in with a ranking of 81.3%. A business qualifies for an "excellent" rating when their score is 80% or higher, Temkin said.

New York City -- Modell’s Sporting Goods announced the opening of the company’s 147th store this past weekend with the grand opening of a new 8,451-sq.-ft. store located in the Interstate Shopping Center in Ramsey, N.J.