News

Austin, Texas – Slightly more than half of consumers (51%) said they would be more likely to buy something in-store if they received a coupon on their mobile device for that store while nearby, according to a recent mobile commerce survey from RetailMeNot and The Omnibus Company. The survey of 1,067 U.S. residents age 18 and older conducted in April 2013 also revealed:

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.

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.

Quebec, Canada -- Canadian home-improvement chain Rona Inc. said Thursday it has reached an agreement to sell off its plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning business to Emco Corp. in a deal worth about $207 million.

The division sells plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems to commercial and industrial construction customers. The move is expected to add additional financial stability to the company, which is in the midst of a three-year turnaround plan.

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.

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — Ikea was joined by journalist and television host Lisa Ling to mark its third annual Life Improvement Project with a $50,000 donation to Save the Children’s early education programs.

In addition to the donation, Ikea provided home furnishings, design advice and manpower to help make over a Family Head Start/Early Learn location in Brooklyn, N.Y., a Save the Children-supported facility which was affected by Hurricane Sandy.

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.

Lipton Iced Tea recruited singer and actress Katharine McPhee to host the Lipton Summer Tastes Party, which celebrated the summer solstice with an illuminated installation that will provide 24-hours of light to New Yorkers. 

The luminous orb, aptly named the Lipton Sun, was created in partnership with the Pratt Institute. 

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The experience of air travel has declined over the years, but the retail experience at airports has consistently been elevated as retailers look for new opportunities, such as this newly renovated Tom Bradley International Terminal, featuring 19 retail stores, at the western gateway to the U.S.

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."