News

New York -- A report released Thursday by Bloomberg said that consumer sentiment climbed during the week ended June 16 to minus 29.4, compared with minus 31.3 a week earlier and representing a lift after a two-month low. In fact, according to the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index, Americans’ views on the economy were the least pessimistic in five years.

The monthly Bloomberg consumer economic expectations gauge for June held at minus 1, matching May’s reading as the best this year.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Southern department store Belk has selected 13 winners from nearly 300 entrants in the retailer's Southern Designer Showcase competition. Belk announced the winners at an event at its corporate headquarters.

"We are so excited to add these impressive designers to our Belk family," said president and CMO Kathryn Bufano. "This year's winners truly represent the Modern. Southern. Style. that we deliver to our customers every day."

East Rutherford, N.J. -- The Hudson Group is opening 19 new stores at the soon-to-open Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The stores include Bulgari, Emporio Armani, Michael Kors, Coach, Hugo Boss, Bliss, Victoria’s Secret, Tumi, Fred Segak, Kitson, Travel & Leisure, See’s Candies, Virgin/Boost, Pinkberry, Entertainment Weekly News, CNN Newsstand Los Angeles, Angeleno, and Hudson.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General received a Gold Stevie award for Company of the Year in Retail at the 11th annual American Business Awards in recognition of the company’s position as an industry leader in the retail sector.

Located on the mall’s second-floor veranda, the 8,500-sq.-ft. store puts a California spin on the brand’s preppy, nautically-inspired heritage. A sunlit glass façade and a central skylight draws natural light into the space. The interior décor includes nostalgia-oriented custom art pieces and graphic prints. A 1964 Volkswagen Bug adds to the atmosphere.

Design: Tommy Hilfiger Store Planning, New York

Architect: O'Neil Langan Architects, New York

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — The Craftsman brand spent Father's Day weekend in Philadelphia with hard core golf fans and putt-putt enthusiasts at the Craftsman Father's Day Miniature Golf Classic.

Attendees were invited to play a free round on the one-of-a-kind miniature golf course specially built by the Craftsman brand and designed by former professional golfer and analyst Gary McCord, featuring Craftsman tools at every hole.  

Norwalk, Conn. — Pepperidge Farm is looking to drive sales of its Puff Pastry product by bringing in culinary expert and Top Chef judge Gail Simmons. Simmons developed a collection of exclusive recipes that feature the company’s Puff Pastry as a key ingredient. 

In addition to being a judge of Bravo’s Emmy-winning show, Simmons is also the special projects director at Food & Wine magazine. 

Seattle – Six-in-10 U.S. homeowners plan to make a home improvement or addition this summer, according to the Zillow Digs Summer Home Improvement Trend and Spending Survey. Zillow cites tight housing inventory and the fact that more than 25% of homeowners in the U.S. owe more on their mortgage than their property is worth as driving factors in the popularity of home-improvement projects.