News

There will be a change at the top of lifestyle apparel retailer Tommy Bahama.

The company announced that Terry R. Pillow will retire as CEO of Tommy Bahama Group on January 30, 2016, the end of the company's fiscal year. He will be succeeded by Douglas B. Wood, Tommy Bahama's current president and COO.

Troubled retailer Lumber Liquidators is reaching out to customers in a new and unusual way.

The company, which has experienced significant financial difficulty since 60 Minutes ran a report in March alleging dangerously high levels of formaldehyde in Chinese hardwood products it sells, is launching an online “Before and After” gallery.

The National Retail Federation has formed a Digital Council to focus on the e-commerce, mobile and innovative initiatives that exist within the retail industry today.

The members-only council, powered by NRF’s Shop.org digital division, will support and promote collaboration in efforts like the exchange of information on digital retail trends and strategies, the development of original research, and educational events and advocacy opportunities in Washington, D.C.

For the third consecutive year, Apple and Google came out on top in a ranking of the 100 most valuable brands in the world.

Valued at a whopping $170.3 billion in Interbrand’s 16th annual Best Global Brands report, Apple increased its brand value by 43% over last year. Google, valued at $120.3 billion, increased its value by 12%. (The top 10 brands are listed at the end of this article.)

New York -- Brixmor Property Group announced commercial real estate professional Mark Salma has joined the company as VP of redevelopment. In his role, Salma will focus on Brixmor’s anchor space repositioning projects in the North region with the goal of driving higher sales, traffic and small shop leasing at the property level.

Walmart is planning to hold what will it says will be “America's Biggest Health Fair” across 4,400 locations on the afternoon of Oct. 10.

Given Walmart's expansive reach and the number of complementary health screenings being provided, the company expects to uncover as many as 3,000 cases of diabetes over the course of the day and 7,000 incidences of high blood pressure.

The CEO of The Container Store says the company is still on track to maximize profitability despite a disappointing second quarter that produced little sales and revenue growth.

The Texas-based chain reported that for the second quarter ended Aug. 29, revenue edged up 1.2% to $195.5 million. Net income fell by more than 60% to $2.67 million, with earnings of $0.06 per share, a penny less than the consensus forecast and down by more than half from last year's $0.14 per share showing.

Gelson's Markets is joining Smart & Final on the acquisition of some Haggen properties in Southern California.

Gelson's, a regional supermarket chain operating in Southern California, announced it is bidding on eight Haggen locations across five counties: Los Angeles County (Santa Monica); Orange County (Laguna Beach, Ladera Ranch); Riverside County (Rancho Mirage); San Diego County (Carlsbad, Del Mar, Pacific Beach); and Ventura County (Thousand Oaks).

Although the Amazon Fire smartphone fizzled, its legacy lives on.

1. Holiday spending: Is the glass half full or half empty?
Consumers are cautiously optimistic this holiday season with 53% indicating they will likely spend about the same as last year and 32% indicating they will likely spend more than last year.

Of all age groups, young millennials – aged 18 to 24 – indicated they are the most optimistic.

2. Income levels drive survivalists and selectionists