News

Minneapolis – Target confirmed that it suffered a major data breach that may have affected as many as 40 million credit and debit card transactions at Target stores between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15. Target said the information included customer name, credit or debit card number, and the card’s expiration date and CVV (the three-digit security code).

Walmart dominated the airwaves this holiday season and the investment paid off, according to advertising measurement firm Ace Metrix which compiled a list of the most effective holiday ads.

Walmart topped the list with a heartwarming spot called Christmas Magic which featuring a selfless child donating a toy he desired to the Salvation Army only to discover he was the recipient of the same toy on Christmas Day. Walmart aired more than 40 unique pieces of holiday-themed creative this season, making it the most prolific advertiser of the season, according to Ace Metrix.

Englewood, Colo. -- Shopkick has partnered with Sports Authority. All Shopkick users will earn "kicks" just for walking in, browsing special offers throughout the store, scanning products and making purchases at Sports Authority store locations.

“We are excited to partner with Shopkick nationwide,” said Mike E. Foss, CEO of Sports Authority. “Their innovative application engages our customers in a new and compelling way, offering added benefit to shop at Sports Authority.”

LLBean.com provided the highest-rated customer service of all major online retailers during the month of November 2013, according to the Stella Monthly Ranking from the StellaService customer service analysis firm.

L.L. Bean was ranked number one for overall customer service and also in the email customer service area.

SierraTradingPost.com took top honors for phone customer service, Sears.com had the highest ranked shipping customer service and Bloomingdales.com has the best returns customer service.

New York – LLBean.com provided the highest-rated customer service of all major online retailers during the month of November 2013. According to the Stella Monthly Ranking from the StellaService customer service analysis firm, L.L. Bean was ranked number one for overall customer service and also in the email customer service area.

SierraTradingPost.com took top honors for phone customer service, Sears.com had the highest ranked shipping customer service and Bloomingdales.com has the best returns customer service.

Saks Fifth Avenue, a subsidiary of Hudson's Bay Company, has appointed Mark Briggs as its chief marketing officer, reporting to president Marigay McKee, effective March 2014.

“Mark brings a wealth of experience in luxury brand management with a proven track record of creating retail magic around heritage brands. His passion for retail theater and essential understanding of the customer will be integral to our success,” said McKee. “I am thrilled to welcome Mark to the Saks team, where he will play a key role on the executive committee.”

Camp Hill, Pa. – Rite Aid reported a solid 15.5% increase in net income during the third quarter of fiscal 2013, to $71.5 million from $61.9 million in the year ago period.  Lower interest expense and lease termination and impairment charges helped drive Rite Aid’s net income growth.

In addition, revenues grew about 2% to $6.4 billion from $6.2 billion, primarily due to a 3.5% increase in pharmacy same store sales. Same-store sales rose 2.3%.