News

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Walmart has unveiled its 100th solar-powered store on College Avenue in San Diego. By working with California-based SolarCity, the company’s focus on solar power has generated more than 3,000 contract construction jobs in California. In turn, SolarCity has hired 1,213 employees since announcing its first Walmart projects in September 2010. The San Mateo, Calif.-based company will install, manage, and maintain 70 of the 100 new solar power systems.

I’ll say this for Ron Johnson: He has turned staid J.C. Penney into the most talked-about retailer in the nation. The company accounted for five of the 10 most-viewed stories on this website in the first half of 2012 (see story). And industry analysts and consultants can’t stop speculating on the chain’s fortunes, in print, on the web and on television.

New York -- Coach Inc. reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended June 30 rose 24% to $251.4 million, from $202.5 million in the same period last year, topping Wall Street projections.

The company’s revenue in the quarter rose 12% to $1.16 billion, below analysts’ expectations of $1.2 billion. Slowing growth at the company’s factory-outlet stores impacted sales. Coach reinstated coupons at its factory stores late in the quarter amid increasing discounting among retailers.

Veteran consumer packaged goods executive Phil Dolci was named president and CEO of airgun manufacturer Crosman.

The Rocherster, NY-based company is the leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a wide range of products for the shooting sports under the Crosman, Benjamin, Centerpoint, Precision Optics, Game Face and Undead Apocalypse brands.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation and its National Council of Chain Restaurants division joined a coalition of manufacturers, shippers and transportation providers to file an amicus brief before the U.S. Court of Appeals opposing new federal trucking regulations on drivers’ hours-of-service, stating the regulations were arbitrary and capricious.

NEW YORK — Macy's has partnered with fashion designer, B. Michael, for the launch of his new collection, b michael America Red. Set to debut in ten Macy's locations across the country by Aug. 15.

"I am excited by the opportunity to share my point of view of Advanced American Style with a broader audience. We are especially pleased to have Macy's as the retailer to launch the collection -- the quintessential american department store."