News

NEW YORK — Charitybuzz (www.charitybuzz.com), an online charity auction house, announced that Peter Sachse, chief stores officer of Macy’s, has been appointed to the Charitybuzz board of directors. Sachse also serves as a member of the board of governors of the YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund and as a director of XO Group, Inc. Charitybuzz raises funds for nonprofits around the globe through exclusive online charity auctions with the world’s biggest celebrities and brands. 

Bensalem, Pa. -- Charming Shoppes Inc. recorded a wider-than-expected loss for its fourth quarter as higher product costs and discounts at its Lane Bryant division cut into margins. The chain said plans to close between 90 to 105 underperforming stores this year.

Charming Shoppes, which hired Barclays Capital in December to help it review its options, posted a loss of $13.2 million for the three months ended January 28, 2012, compared with a loss of $30.4 million a year ago.

NEW YORK — Macy’s announced that it has named Johnny Iuzzini to its culinary council. One of the nation's most celebrated and innovative pastry chefs, Iuzzini will join notable talents including Emeril Lagasse, Cat Cora, Wolfgang Puck and Marcus Samuelsson on this distinguished team. 

Louis Vuitton Island Maison, part of the Marina Bay Sands resort complex in Singapore, represents the ultimate in luxury retail destinations. The striking crystal and glass structure, which sits directly on the water, was awarded top honors in the Association for Retail Environments’ (A.R.E.) design competition. It features the entire the complete Louis Vuitton offering, from its men's and women's collections to jewelry and accessories. It also houses a bookstore with a curated selection of books on travel, design, art and culture.

BOSTON — Retailers that use tablets and other mobile devices in place of cash registers are perceived as being more innovative by mobile shoppers than those that do not, according to the latest AisleBuyer survey.

Stamford, Conn. -- GE Capital Retail Bank has announced a multi-year renewal to continue providing financing for customers of Discount Tire, the nation’s leading independent tire retailer. GE Capital’s Retail Finance business, the operating entity that provides financial solutions to retailers and dealers to help grow their customer sales, will continue to manage the Discount Tire relationship and service the account.

San Francisco -- McKesson on Monday announced that it has completed the previously announced acquisition of the independent banner and franchise businesses of Katz Group Canada in an all-cash transaction that closed March 25.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — "Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria will debut her second fragrance, EVAmour by Eva Longoria, on HSN, HSN.com and HSN Mobile on March 29.

"EVAmour will become a personal scent for women who are confident, beautiful, sexy and intelligent...just like the HSN customer," said Longoria. "I know how I feel when I am wearing it and I wish every woman to feel that same sense of sexiness and power."