Kohl’s Department Stores has announced the appointment of Michelle Gass to the newly created position of chief customer officer. She reports directly to Kohl’s chairman, president and CEO Kevin Mansell.

To lead the acceleration of online revenue growth worldwide, Newell Rubbermaid announced that it has appointed Jeremy Liebowitz to the newly created position of vp/global e-commerce. Liebowitz had been vp/digital commerce and marketing for Jarden Corp., where he achieved significant online revenue growth multiples over five years, Newell Rubbermaid stated.

Hudson's Bay Co., which owns Lord & Taylor in the United States and the Bay department stores and the Home Outfitters specialty retail chain in Canada, has announced an executive restructuring. The company has appointed Bonnie Brooks, until now president of Hudson's Bay Co., vice chairman and Liz Rodbell, who has been executive vp, chief merchant, president.

In a statement on its Facebook page, OXO has reported that on Sunday, June 16, Sam Farber, founder of OXO, passed away. He was 88.

Lifetime Brands, Inc. has expanded its quality management initiatives with the development and launch of a proprietary, mobile software application, Lifetime QM, which offers a real-time digital inspection guide. Lifetime QM is a digitized, real-time, portable tool that standardizes factory and product inspections, providing inspectors with systemized directives, instant access to information and corrective actions. The mobile application is designed to improve quality, reduce warehouse re-work costs and give retailers and consumers a better experience with Lifetime’s brands and products, according to the company.

Libbey Inc.'s CEO, Stephanie Streeter, was presented with a Gold Stevie Award in the "Executive of the Year" category at The 11th Annual American Business Awards held recently at the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park Hotel.

For the first quarter ended May 4, Burlington Coat Factory posted a net loss of $702,000 versus a net loss of $3.9 million in the year-earlier period. However, adjusted net income, which excludes one-time charges, was $11.1 million up $10.3 million from the year-ago first quarter, according to the company.

With a new location in Fayetteville, NC, BJ's Membership Club is celebrating the opening of its 200th warehouse. In addition to groceries and general merchandise, including premium consumer electronics and brand-name appliances, the club features a fresh bakery, cafe, deli, optical services center, rotisserie chicken, tire center, gas station and Verizon Wireless Kiosk, BJ’s noted.

Ikea plans to expand the solar array atop its Denver-area store, one that opened just two years ago in Centennial, CO. Installation of new solar panels on the roof’s remaining space should begin next month with completion expected by fall, the retailer reported.

A 40-year home furnishings industry veteran, Dave Palmer, past president of the San Francisco Mart and past general manager of the World Market Center in Las Vegas, is presenting a new seminar program dubbed Active Listening, he has announced. Palmer is offering the program with Joe Skillin, a marketing and motivation consultant, to help companies benefit from what their employees know.

Today, the Lowe’s Cos. announced it has entered into an asset purchase agreement with bankrupt Orchard Supply Hardware. Upon the transaction’s completion, subject to bankruptcy court approval, Lowe’s will expand in California via Orchard’s smaller-format metro store locations.

The Container Store has launched an upgraded mobile web service with support from Usablenet, the mobile and multichannel technology provider. The upgrade provides consumers with a seamless, innovative next-generation mobile shopping experience, Usablenet announced.

For the first quarter ended May 5, ALCO Stores, Inc., posted a net loss of $1.7 million, or 51 cents per diluted share, versus a net loss of $1.3 million, or 34 cents per diluted share, in last year’s period. Loss from continuing operations, net of tax, was $1.7 million, or 51 cents per diluted share, versus a loss of $1.1 million, or 29 cents per diluted share, for the year-ago period, the retailer reported.

Lord & Taylor parent Hudson's Bay Co., which also operates broadline and specialty retailers in Canada, has reported that its first quarter consolidated comparable store sales gained 4% or 3.2% on a constant currency basis. The company pointed out that a low single digit comp decline at Lord & Taylor partially offset gains in much of the operation.

At the company’s annual meeting, Target Corp. shareholders rejected a proposal to adopt a policy for an independent chairman. The shareholder proposal would have split the job currently held by president, chairman and CEO Gregg Steinhafel and put an independent director in the chair, as related at the company’s annual meeting.

For the first quarter ended May 4, Five Below, Inc. posted GAAP net income of $1.6 million versus a net loss of $1.2 million in the fiscal 2012 period, and adjusted net income of $2.5 million versus $2.6 million year over year. GAAP diluted income per common share was three cents compared to a loss of 32 cents per share in the fiscal 2012 first quarter, while adjusted diluted income per common share came in at five cents in both the fiscal 2013 and 2012 period, it announced.

To demonstrate that smaller can be better, Shopko has announced plans to open five new Hometown format stores, one each in Afton, WY, St. Peter, MN and Winneconne, Ellsworth and Tomahawk, WI. Developed to augment the company’s larger store model, Shopko Hometown units serve smaller rural communities by combining retail health services with a broad offering of strong national brands and high-value private labels, the company stated.

At a press event in New York last night, J.C. Penney Co. gave the media a look at the changes emerging in its home department, including a range of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia-developed products delivered under its founder’s name and otherwise. As permitted in the ongoing legal dispute with Macy’s involving MSLO, J.C. Penney may carry some Martha label products and offer others developed under her auspices but without using her brand name.

For the month of May, Costco Wholesale Corp. has reported that, excluding the effect of gasoline price volatility, foreign exchange rate movement and one-time charges, comparable store sales gained 5% in the United States, 7% internationally and 6% for the total company. With the gas, exchange and one-time charges included, May comps increased 5% in the U.S., 6% internationally and 5% in total for the company.

In the four-week fiscal month of May, which ended June 1, Fred's Inc. saw comparable store sales decrease 0.5%. Total sales for the month increased 0.2% to $152.4 million, the company stated.

For the 13-week period ended June 1, Rite Aid Corp. today announced that comparable store sales decreased 2.5% versus the prior-year period. Front-end comps, including those for general merchandise, increased 0.4% while pharmacy comps decreased 3.8%, the company reported.

Aladdin, a brand of PMI, has launched The Newstalgia Project, which includes a new consumer website, an interactive web application and features its insulated Mason Tumblers.

Today, Stein Mart, Inc. reported that for the four-week period ended June 1, comparable store sales increased 8.2%. Total sales increased 3.6% to $107.3 million, the company related.

As it prepares to merge with OfficeMax, Inc., Office Depot, Inc. announced that it has reached an agreement to sell its 50% stake in Latin American Joint Venture Office Depot de Mexico S.A. de C.V. to Grupo Gigante, S.A.B. de C.V. for the Mexican Peso amount of 8.78 billion in cash, or U.S. $687.4 million at today’s conversion rate. Office Depot pointed out that the deal is conditional on receiving Mexican regulatory and Grupo Gigante shareholder approval.

For its fiscal 2013 first quarter ended May 3, Dollar General Corp. posted net income of $220 million, or 67 cents per diluted share, versus $213 million, or 63 cents per diluted share, in the 2012 period. Adjusted net income, excluding one-time charges, increased to $232 million versus $215 million in the 2012 first quarter, the company noted, while adjusted diluted EPS was 71 cents versus 63 cents in the year-earlier period.

Forty One Madison in New York City is readying for the New York Gift Show, Saturday, August 17 through Wednesday, August 21. Buyers will find more than 40 of the tabletop building’s showrooms open for business, many offering product assortments and opening minimums that work for specialty and independent retailers, according to building management.

Donna Roth, president and CEO of Plymouth, MA-based Cool Gear International, is a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2013 award in the New England region, the company announced. Ernst & Young will reveal the award winners at a special gala event on Wednesday, June 26 at the Renaissance Waterfront in Boston.

For the three-month period ended March 31, hhgregg, Inc. reported net income of $9.9 million, or 31 cents per diluted share, versus $53.6 million, or $1.45 per diluted share, for the prior-year period. Fourth quarter 2012 results included $39.6 million of net income related to life insurance proceeds net of severance paid to the estate of the company’s former executive board chairman as well as a $500,000 after-tax charge related to impairment of two store locations.

To enhance its recently launched loyalty program, Ikea is working with 89 Degrees, a marketing analytics firm, that will help it build a closer relationship with best customers in the United States. As the retailer evaluates its customer relationship management systems, 89 Degrees will provide end-to-end management of the loyalty program, the firm stated.

The 68th annual National Hardware Show recently came to a close at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The show operator has reported that attendance was up more than 16% from last year's show.

For the first quarter ended May 4, Gordmans Stores, Inc. posted net income of $3.2 million, or 17 cents per diluted share, versus $8.1 million, or 41 cents per diluted share, in the year-prior period. Comparable store sales for the first quarter decreased 10.5%, according to the company.

According to market research firm IBISWorld, dads can look forward to even more electric razors in paternal celebration this month but afternoons out and tools as well. The company estimates that Father’s Day spending will increase 2.1% this year to $13.2 billion versus the occasion in 2012.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. banner PBteen will open its first store in southern California, at The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks on Saturday, June 1 at 10 a.m., the retailer has announced. The first 250 store visitors on opening day will receive a free gift and a chance to win one of four $250 gift cards.

For the first quarter ended May 4, Fred's, Inc. announced that net income increased 9.1% to $11.4 million while earnings per diluted share increased 10.7% to 31 cents from 28 cents for the same period last year. Comparable store sales for the quarter declined 1.3%.

A five-day schedule of activities– including more than 40 educational seminars, Only in New York special events, author appearances and book-signings, on-trend displays, and product innovation awards– will stand among the highlights of the NY NOW debut that begins on August 17 and continues through August 21. New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Pier 94 will house the inaugural NY NOW, the Market for Home & Lifestyle, formerly know as NYIGF.

In its fiscal third quarter, Costco generated net income of $459 million, or $1.04 per diluted share, versus $386 million, or 88 cents per diluted share, in the year-prior period. Comparable store sales, excluding the effects of gasoline prices and foreign exchange rates, were up 7% in the United States and 7% internationally for a 7% company comp.

For the first quarter ended May 4, Michaels Stores, Inc. announced that net income decreased 11.3% to $47 million. According to Michaels, comparable store sales declined 0.7% due to a 3% decrease in transactions partly offset by a 1.7% gain from a higher average ticket and a positive 0.6% impact from deferred custom framing revenue.

For the quarter ended May 4, Dollar Tree, Inc. reported net income of $133.5 million and earnings per diluted share of 59 cents versus net income of $116.1 million and earnings per diluted share of 50 cents in the 2012 period. Comparable store sales increased 2.1%, in the first quarter year over year.

For the first quarter ended March 30, OfficeMax posted net income of $56.3 million, or 64 cents per diluted share, versus $4.9 million, or six cents per diluted share, in the 2012 period. However, the company noted, adjusted net income, excluding the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates, the impact of stores closed and opened, and the difference in the number of business days in the quarter this year versus last, was $10.1 million, or 11 cents per diluted share, versus $19 million, or 22 cents per diluted share, in the 2012 first quarter.

Bona US today announced the hiring of two new managers. Jordan Anderson will act as the new territory manager for Canada, and Nick Larson will serve as the new territory manager for the Midwest Region.

The sixth annual Homewares Show Awards were presented by HOMEWORLD BUSINESS® and the National Hardware Show. The winners were announced during a recent ceremony at the NRHA Village Stage at the Las Vegas Convention Center with representatives of HomeWorld, the Hardware Show and awards judges on hand to recognize the best of the best in homewares product design and innovation.

In the quarter ended May 3, the Lowe’s Cos., Inc. generated net earnings of $540 million, or 49 cents per diluted share, versus $527 million, or 43 cents per diluted share, in the year-prior period, the company reported. Comparable store sales for the quarter decreased 0.7% compared with the period a year ago.

For the first quarter ended May 4, Staples, Inc. reported income from continuing operations of $170.4 million, or 26 cents per diluted share, versus $192.9 million, or 28 cents per diluted share, in the 2012 period. Total company sales were $5.8 billion, a decrease of 3% compared to the 2012 first quarter, Staples stated.

Kohl’s Department Stores has announced the appointment of Michelle Gass to the newly created position of chief customer officer. She reports to Kohl’s chairman, president and CEO, Kevin Mansell, the retailer stated.

For the first quarter ended May 4, Target Corp. posted net earnings of $498 million, or 77 cents per diluted share, versus $697 million, or $1.04 per diluted share, in the period a year ago. Comparable store sales declined by 0.6% with average transaction amount up 1.3% and units per transaction up 1.8% but number of transactions down 1.9% and selling price per unit down 0.6%.

For the first quarter ended May 5, The Home Depot today reported net earnings of $1.2 billion, or 83 cents per diluted share, versus $1 billion, or 68 cents per diluted share, in the fiscal 2012 period. Comparable store sales increased 4.3% versus last year’s quarter.

For the 13-week first quarter ended May 4, Best Buy Co. Inc. posted a net loss of $81 million, or 24 cents per diluted share, versus net earnings of $158 million, or 46 cents per diluted share, in the year-earlier period. Comparable store sales fell 1.3% in the quarter with domestic comps down 1.1% and international comps down 2.8%, the retailer announced.

For the first quarter ended May 4, Nordstrom, Inc. has announced that net earnings were $145 million, or 73 cents per diluted share, versus $149 million, or 70 cents per diluted share, in the period last year. According to the company, comparable store sales increased 2.7% versus last year’s quarter.

According to Prosper Insight and Analytics, consumer confidence in a strong economy declined slightly in May from April. Of consumers surveyed in May, 39.3% were optimistic about economic gains versus 40% in April, with Prosper noting that consumer sentiment has zigzagged up and down over the past several months in the face of an uncertain atmosphere.

A new study commissioned by the Private Label Manufacturers Association and conducted by GfK Custom Research North America demonstrates that, despite changes in society, women still dominate the retail marketplace. Although women’s roles have changed in recent decades, those who act as primary household purchaser take on the overwhelming bulk of the task.