Retail

New York -- Google came out on top, followed by Amazon and Apple, in a new survey by market research company Ipsos called “The Most Influential Brands in the United States 2013.” The survey, which asked U.S. consumers to rate 100 leading brands on a wide variety of attributes, determined that the dimensions or factors that drive a brand’s influence are: engagement; trustworthy; leading edge; corporate citizenship; and, presence.

Minneapolis -- Scott Kennedy was named president of Target financial and retail service to replace long time finance executive Terry Scully.

Scully spent nearly 35 years with Target and is moving into a strategic advisory role to ensure the smooth transition of the recently sold credit card portfolio to TD Bank Group. Scully, 60, will officially retire in March 2014. Filling his shoes as head of financial and retail services is Scott Kennedy, 44. He joined Target in 2005 and currently serves as VP of pay and benefits.

By Greg Kefer, [email protected]

The latest study on the risk posed by supply chain disruptions by Deloitte just hit the news. Executives were surveyed regarding feelings (or fears) about their exposure to unexpected events in their global supply chains. As you can imagine, most feel unprepared and report disruptions have become more costly. Negative outcomes in the global supply chain like costly margin erosion and demand change are all too common for most companies.

Lake Buena Vista, Fla. -- Walt Disney World Resort announced the multi-year transformation of Downtown Disney into Disney Springs, which will feature an eclectic and contemporary mix of stores, dining options and entertainment experiences  from Disney and other noteworthy brands.

Minneapolis -- Christopher & Banks Corp. narrowed its fiscal fourth-quarter loss as the company received a boost from an extra week of sales and cut costs.

The retailer posted a loss of $4.1 million for the 14 weeks through Feb. 2, compared with a loss of $53.2 million in the 13 weeks the year before.

Revenue was up 10%, to $116 million from $105.6 million. Same-store sales jumped 18.5%.

Total expenses fell 25% to $120 million.

Cleveland -- CenterMark Development has announced plans to build a 10,010-sq.-ft. Dollar Tree store in Cleveland, the first ground-up construction of a free-standing Dollar Tree store in the City of Cleveland.

The project breaks ground in March with completion scheduled for August 2013. Construction financing was provided by PNC Bank. HCI is serving as general contractor.  

Phoenix -- Leslie’s Poolmart will celebrate the grand opening of 13 new locations throughout the United States on March 15.

In total, Leslie's plans to open 48 stores this year, between March and May. With these new stores and its recent acquisition of 24 Warehouse Pool Supply stores in the Houston area, Leslie's will bring its total store count to more than 800 stores nationwide.

Columbus, Ohio -- Express said its fourth-quarter net income rose a better-than-expected 6%, but its full-year projection for earnings came up short as the retailer provided a weak outlook.
   
Express, similar to many other retailers, had less traffic in February, as higher taxes and rising gas prices cut into shoppers’ discretionary spending.
 
For the period ended Feb. 2, Express Inc. earned $63.9 million, up from $60.4 million a year earlier.