News

FORT WORTH, Texas — RadioShack has partnered with Maker Media, the creators of Make Magazine, Makezine.com, and Maker Faire, to tap into the DIY market. Maker Media and RadioShack will collaborate on an expansive DIY product lineup, exclusively carried at RadioShack and Maker Shed, including kits, robotics and tools.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Body Central Corp., a multichannel, specialty retailer that offers on-trend apparel and accessories at value prices, has appointed Donna R. Ecton as non-executive chairman of the board. Ecton has been a director of Body Central Corp. since May 2011.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores on Thursday reported profit and sales that were just below Wall Street expectations as the giant retailer struggled with a number of issues that impacted its U.S. sales, from the payroll tax increase to an unseasonably cold spring to delayed tax returns. The discounter also scaled back its earnings expectations for the current three-month period.

Wal-Mart’s net income rose 1.1% to $3.8 billion. Revenue edged up 1%, to $113.4 billion.

Kohl's Corp. reported a 5% drop in first-quarter profit on weak sales due to unseasonably cold weather in large parts of the United States.

Kohl's net income fell to $147 million in the quarter ended May 4, down from $154 million a year earlier.

Sales fell 1% to $4.2 billion. Comparable-store sales fell 1.9%.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples is not necessarily a name synonymous with home décor and specifically wall art, but the office products company is looking to change that with the launch of its Sports & Art Photo Gallery. 

Among the many albums released by legendary rock band The Kinks, “Think Visual” stands as a forgettable collection of generic hard rock songs released in the mid-1980s, when the British Invasion pioneers were long past their creative prime and worn down from years of infighting. However, while the music of “Think Visual” may hold little importance, retailers would be wise to pay close attention to the admonishment of the album’s title.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kenmore, one of Sears Holding Company’s key proprietary brands, has turned 100. The brand made its debut on sewing machines in 1913. Since then it has expanded to refrigerators, washing machines, dryers and dish washers. 

CINCINNATI — Kroger corporate officer and SVP for human resources Kathleen Barclay was among 10 women named a YWCA Career Woman of Achievement. 

"I am honored and humbled to receive this recognition from the YWCA, a truly exceptional organization in Cincinnati and across the country," said Barclay. "I am grateful to work in an industry that provides the incredible opportunity to touch the lives of a very large group of women inside and outside our company, each and every day."