News

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings last week announced that it will close between 100 and 120 underperforming Sears and Kmart stores, following dismal holiday sales results for the brands.

The company said it has not yet identified which stores will be shuttered, but said that the closures are part of an overall plan to shift its focus from shoring up underperformers to concentrating its efforts on stronger stores.

The analysts at Morningstar combed through 330 consumer sector companies and came up with a list of 10 names that comprise the firm’s new “Consumers’ Choice List. 

By Chris Watland, [email protected]

By this point, most chain stores have embraced digital marketing to reach customers through regular email communications and with a social media presence on Facebook and Twitter. And retail already outpaces many other industries in its sophisticated collection of customer purchase and loyalty program data.

Customer experience analytics firm ForeSee today released the results of their seventh annual Holiday E-Retail Satisfaction Index, and Target was ranked 29.

Charleston, S.C. -- January post-holiday sales will plunge to some of the lowest levels in years thanks to a surge in credit card spending over the Christmas season, according to consumer research firm America’s Research Group (ARG).

"Now that those credit card bills are hitting mailboxes, shoppers will cut back in a very significant way relative to January and February of the last few years," said Britt Beemer, chairman, ARG.

Merrimack, N.H. -- Brookstone announced that Jackson Tai, chairman of the board, will also serve as interim president  in the wake of the resignation of Ron Boire, the chain’s president and CEO. The company will undertake a search for a permanent successor for Boire, who resigned from Brookstone, effective Jan. 3, to join Sears Holdings Corp. as its new executive VP, chief merchandising officer and president, Sears and Kmart Formats.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General was among the discount stores that benefited from a more cautious consumer spending in 2011, and the retailer expects that momentum to continue in 2012. The company announced that it plans to open 625 new stores and add more than 6,000 new jobs in 2012. These new stores and jobs will be spread among Dollar General’s 38-state operating area, plus California and Massachusetts.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — To help its members keep their New Year's resolutions, including weight loss, eating better and quitting smoking, Sam's Club will offer a variety of free in-club health screenings and smoking cessation consultations.