News

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe's Companies Inc. has named 3M, Stainmaster and Truper as the company's 2014 Vendor Partners of the Year. The companies were selected for their commitment to product quality, innovation and customer service.   

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot Inc. launches its “Your Holiday Workshop” campaign across all store locations and online on Nov. 2. “Your Holiday Workshop” efforts will include early Black Friday and “Every Monday is Cyber Monday” deals, and shopper services.   

America’s most affluent prefer Nordstrom’s brand of omnichannel retail over some of the biggest luxury retailers out there, according to a new study.

An organization called the Luxury Institute released findings from its 2015 Luxury Multichannel Engagement Index (LMEI) survey of large multi-brand retailers. Responders had a minimum annual income of $150,000, an average annual income of $318,000 and an average net worth of $3.1 million.

Menlo Park, Calif. – Deliv is expanding its same-day delivery service ahead of the holiday season, doubling its footprint with the addition of four new geographies, including Seattle, Houston, northern New Jersey and Washington, D.C. The company partners directly with retailers to add the Deliv same-day delivery option into the retailer's checkout process, whether on their website, mobile app or in their physical store.  

Former Toys “R” Us president Neil Friedman has joined toy manufacturer Alex Brands as president and CEO.

Friedman has been appointed to the Alex Brands board of directors earlier this year.  Prior to that he was president of the U.S. division at Toys “R” Us and also served as president at Mattel Brands, Fisher-Price Brands, Tyco Preschool and MCA/Universal Merchandising. Friedman is a member of the Toy Industry Hall of Fame and the International Licensing Industry Merchandiser’s Association’s Hall of Fame. 

Milan, Italy –- Specialty eyewear retailer Luxottica Group S.P.A. reported increases in profit and revenue during the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Net income grew 10% to $259.2 million from $236.8 million in the third quarter of the prior fiscal year, while net sales rose 5% to $3.01 billion from $2.85 billion.  

By Mike Kercheval, President and CEO, International Council of Shopping Centers  

GameStop has joined forces with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for another season of giving.  For the second year, GameStop will participate in the annual St.