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.

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.

Lifetime Brands, Inc. announced today that its board of directors has appointed Daniel Siegel president of the company. Lifetime also detailed the membership of its latest board, elected at the company's annual shareholders meeting last week.

Hampton Forge has announced that Michael Karyo has joined the company as chief operating officer. He will oversee sales, marketing and product development in his new role.

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.

Restoration Hardware Holdings has announced the appointment of former Williams-Sonoma brand president Richard Harvey to the position of chief merchandising officer, RH Kitchen and Tableware. At the same time, it posted a GAAP net loss of $200,000 in the first quarter versus a GAAP net loss of $3.7 million for the same period last year but an adjusted net income increase to $2.3 million from a net loss of $1.3 million in last-year’s quarter.

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.

Building on plans to expand its market share in North America, Marimekko has announced a series of new shop-in-shop locations in some of the region's notable department and specialty home stores. The new destinations feature curated collections of ceramics, glassware and home textiles, highlighted with a selection of the brand's vibrant bags and accessories.

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.

Following the opening of its flagship Forty One Madison showroom in New York City, Vista Alegre is opening five showrooms across the United States. They will debut in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles and San Francisco to expand on both its national and regional representation, the company stated.

Takeya has rolled out a new Flash Chill Iced Tea Maker that allows consumers to create handcrafted, artisan iced tea beverages at home and serve and store all in one unit. The Iced Tea Maker freshly brews hot tea in minutes and flash chills it in 30 seconds, according to the company.

Luigi Bormioli’s new Duraturo Porcelain dinnerware expands the brand in the kitchen and dining room, in an effort to continue the company’s goal to be a “tabletop resource,” said Michael Duncan, president of Luigi Bormioli Corporation. The launch also makes the brand even more meaningful to the bridal consumer, as well as to those who entertain, he said.

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.

NY NOW Lifestyle, one of four new product collections to debut at the summer edition of NY NOW, the Market for Home & Lifestyle, formerly NYIGF, will showcase approximately 1,100 exhibitors representing a wide range of resources on Level 1 of New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, the organizer stated. The Lifestyle collection will showcase product categories including gifts, juvenile products, personal accessories and personal care and wellness.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Fill it! Pin it! Win it! sweepstakes signals the Thermos L.L.C. brand debut on Pinterest. Thermos is asking "pinners" to enter by repinning selected product photos and suggesting what recipes they would make to fill the pictured Thermos brand product.

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.

International Market Centers has created a special Global Goodness awards program that will recognize Las Vegas Market vendors for acting in a socially responsible manner, the organization announced. It will honor five companies with the inaugural Global Goodness awards during the Summer 2013 Las Vegas Market, which runs from July 29 to August 2.

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.

Internet company Full Moon Enterprize LLC has announced the opening of a new online store, www.KitchenAndTableDecor.com, that offers cooking and dining products complemented by at-home entertainment ideas. The new online store sells an array of brand-name stoneware, dinnerware, flatware, table linens, custom glassware, cutlery sets and kitchen accessories.

Kitt Shapiro, daughter of performer Eartha Kitt, has introduced Simply Eartha, a lifestyle brand of coasters, plates, wall art, mugs, pillows, throws, and paperweights featuring the witticisms and images of her iconic late mother.

Zak Designs recently announced that it was approved as a National Strategic Partner of the United States Department of Agriculture and its ChooseMyPlate.gov initiative to promote healthy eating. Zak Designs’ Healthy by Design plate is divided into four sections that are clearly marked on the rim so kids and parents can learn what proportion of every meal should be devoted to each of the food groups recommended by the USDA: fruits, vegetables, grains and protein.

Registration for the upcoming Summer 2013 Las Vegas Market, which will run from July 29 to August 2, is open at www.lasvegasmarket.com/register, host International Market Centers has announced. Early registration ensures that pending participants will receive all pertinent market information including new resources and showrooms, networking events and the latest trends and exclusive offers from exhibitors.

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%.

On Tuesday, July 30, International Market Centers will host the third annual Up on the Roof gala charity event benefiting Gift for Life, a charitable organization for the gift, stationery and home décor industries. The event will occur during the Summer Las Vegas Market running July 29 to August 2 at the World Market Center Las Vegas.

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.