News

Atlanta – Independent bookstores are reportedly growing sales at a healthy rate despite stiff competition from Amazon.com. According to an article in Fortune, American Booksellers Association figures show that independent bookstore sales in the U.S. grew 8% last year and are on track to grow at a similar pace this year.

Royal Ahold supervisory board member Tom de Swaan has announced plans to resign.

Netherlands-based Ahold, the parent company of Ahold USA and U.S. supermarket banners Stop & Shop, Giant Food of Landover, Md., and Giant Food Stores of Carlisle, Pa., as well as the online grocer Peapod, said de Swaan would resign effective Sept. 30.

Washington, D.C. -- Nearly 158 million consumers will participate in Halloween activities this year, slightly less than the historic high of 170 million people last year. New figures from the National Retail Federation (NRF) indicate the average consumer will spend $75.03 on Halloween this year, down 6% from $79.82 last year.

However, average overall spending on Halloween has increased 54.7% since 2005, with total spending estimated to reach $6.9 billion in 2013. Other NRF figures include:

The Home Depot has elected Helena B. Foulkes to the company's board of directors. Foulkes will be a member of the finance and leadership development and compensation committees. Her appointment gives the company 11 directors, 10 of whom are independent.

Grocery Manufacturers Association has launched www.FactsAboutGMOs.org, a new website about genetically modified food ingredients designed to put consumers’ concerns about their safety and environmental impact to rest.

The Bon-Ton Stores has elected Steven Silverstein to the company’s board of directors. Silverstein will serve on the human resources and compensation committee.

Redwood Shores, Calif. – Cross-channel experiences are vital to customer experience. Recent customer experience studies of retail executives — by Oracle Corp. and Tata Consultancy Services — show that to 50% and 47% of respondents, respectively, cross-channel experiences are vital to providing overall customer experience.

PBteen has unveiled an inaugural collaboration with celebrity stylists and fashion designers Emily Current and Meritt Elliott. The exclusive, one-of-a-kind collection is the first collaboration of its kind for PBteen and represents Current’s and Elliott’s debut into the world of interiors and home furnishings.