Content about Massachusetts

May 16, 2013

Staples is not a name synonymous with home décor and specifically wall art, but the office products company is looking to change that with the launch of its Sports & Art Photo Gallery.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples is not necessarily a name synonymous with home décor and specifically wall art, but the office products company is looking to change that with the launch of its Sports & Art Photo Gallery.

May 8, 2013

Modell's upgrades IT for stores

Modell’s has selected Micros-Retail, a leading provider of retail technology for the specialty and general merchandise retail industry, to help it improve customer experience, modernize IT for the stores and streamline day-to-day functions.

WESTBORO, Mass. — Modell’s has selected Micros-Retail, a leading provider of retail technology for the specialty and general merchandise retail industry, to help it improve customer experience, modernize IT for the stores and streamline day-to-day functions.

May 7, 2013

Staples names new EVP of global e-commerce

Staples has appointed Faisal Masud as its new EVP of global e-commerce. In the newly created role, Masud will be responsible for leading online and digital growth. He will report to Demos Parneros, president of North American stores and online for Staples.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples has appointed Faisal Masud as its new EVP of global e-commerce. In the newly created role, Masud will be responsible for leading online and digital growth. He will report to Demos Parneros, president of North American stores and online for Staples.

May 3, 2013

Staples beats major retailers to the 3D punch

Staples has become the first major U.S. retailer to have 3D printers available for purchase. The Cube 3D Printer from 3D Systems, a leading global provider of 3D content-to-print solutions, is already available on Staples.com for $1,299.99.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples has become the first major U.S. retailer to have 3D printers available for purchase.

The Cube 3D Printer from 3D Systems, a leading global provider of 3D content-to-print solutions, is already available on Staples.com for $1,299.99 and will be available in a limited number of Staples stores by the end of June.

April 18, 2013

CVS to help support One Fund Boston

CVS Caremark will join the Boston business community to support The One Fund Boston, established by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino to raise money for victims and families who have been affected by the Boston Marathon tragedy.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark will join the Boston business community to support The One Fund Boston, established by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino to raise money for victims and families who have been affected by the Boston Marathon tragedy.

The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, the private foundation of CVS Caremark, will donate $100,000 to The One Fund Boston, which is also accepting online donations from the public at Onefundboston.org.

April 18, 2013

CVS to help support One Fund Boston

The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, the private foundation of CVS Caremark, will donate $100,000 to The One Fund Boston, which is also accepting online donations from the public at Onefundboston.org.

April 9, 2013

T.J. Maxx finds women not falling victim to fashion trends

Women are taking fashion into their own hands, according to a new study from T.J.Maxx and Dr. Hazel Clark, research chair of fashion at Parsons The New School for Design.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Women are taking fashion into their own hands, according to a new study from T.J.Maxx and Dr. Hazel Clark, research chair of fashion at Parsons The New School for Design.

April 2, 2013

Destination XL Group launches targeted email campaign

Destination XL Group is engaging the service of CQuotient to create tailored email campaigns for its shoppers.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Destination XL Group is engaging the service of CQuotient to create tailored email campaigns for its shoppers.

March 29, 2013

Ahold names new CIO

Ahold USA has appointed Paul Scorza as its chief information officer, the supermarket operator said Friday.

CARLISLE, Pa. — Ahold USA has named Paul Scorza as its chief information officer, the supermarket operator said Friday.

Ahold USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Netherlands-based Royal Ahold, said Scorza would assume the new position on Monday, based in Quincy, Mass., overseeing all Ahold USA information management functions, with a focus on systems and business processes to improve efficiency, effectiveness, controls and operations, reporting to EVP finance and CFO Paula Price.

March 20, 2013

Sam's Club, Amazon leaders in customer service

Sam's Club and Amazon were among the retailers that earned top marks for customer service, according to the consulting firm Temkin Group.

WABAN, Mass. — Sam's Club and Amazon were among the retailers that earned top marks for customer service, according to the consulting firm Temkin Group.

According to the 2013 Temkin Experience Rankings which queried 10,000 U.S. consumers about customer service issues across 246 companies in 19 industries, Sam's Club and Amazon earned the top spots in the retail sector and RadioShack was the lowest rated retailer for the third consecutive year.

March 18, 2013

Keds steps out on tour with Taylor Swift

Keds has announced its sponsorship of seven-time Grammy winning, multi-platinum singer-songwriter and style icon Taylor Swift's North American RED Tour, kicking-off on March 13 in Omaha, Nebraska and continuing through September.

LEXINGTON, Mass. — Keds has announced its sponsorship of seven-time Grammy winning, multi-platinum singer-songwriter and style icon Taylor Swift's North American RED Tour, kicking-off on March 13 in Omaha, Nebraska and continuing through September. To celebrate, Keds is releasing a limited edition Champion sneaker featuring the names of each city on the tour.

March 18, 2013

Name change causes income slip at Destination XL

Net income at Destination XL Group, formerly Casual Male, dropped to $4.2 million from $33.5 million for the fourth quarter in the year-ago period.

CANTON, Mass. — Net income at Destination XL Group, formerly Casual Male, dropped to $4.2 million from $33.5 million for the fourth quarter in the year-ago period.

Fourth-quarter revenue increased to $114.9 million, compared with $111.1 million last year, and same-store sales edged up 0.5%. By brand, DXL stores saw a same-store sales rise of 15% in the quarter, while Casual Male dipped 2.3%.

March 18, 2013

Staples expands Martha Stewart line

Staples has expanded its Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery line available exclusively at Staples.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples has expanded its Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery line available exclusively at Staples. The new organization products are in stores this week.

March 7, 2013

Refund delays, weather dampen comps at TJX, Ross

The TJX Companies and Ross Stores reported comparable-store results that were less than impressive from what the two discount retailers usually deliver.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. and PLEASANTON, Calif. — The TJX Companies and Ross Stores reported comparable-store results that were less than impressive from what the two discount retailers usually deliver.

TJX reported that sales for the four-week period ended March 2, were $1.8 billion, up 7% over the $1.6 billion achieved during the four-week period ended Feb. 25, 2012. Consolidated comparable-store sales for the month were up 1%.

March 6, 2013

Earnings slip at Staples in Q4

Staples reported that total company sales for the fourth quarter were $6.6 billion, an increase of 3% over the same period last year.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples reported that total company sales for the fourth quarter were $6.6 billion, an increase of 3% over the same period last year.

On a GAAP basis, the company reported fourth quarter 2012 net income of $90 million, or 14 cents per share, compared with net income of $284 million, or 41 cents per diluted share, achieved in the fourth quarter of 2011.

March 1, 2013

Retail consultant joins Profitect board

Profitect, provider of software solutions for the retail industry, announced that Daniel Corsten has joined the company’s board of advisors.

WALTHAM, Mass. — Profitect, provider of software solutions for the retail industry, announced that Daniel Corsten has joined the company’s board of advisors.

February 27, 2013

Earnings soar at TJX

The TJX companies reported that sales for the 14-week fourth quarter ended Feb. 2 were $7.7 billion, a 15% increase over the prior year.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — The TJX companies reported that sales for the 14-week fourth quarter ended Feb. 2 were $7.7 billion, a 15% increase over the prior year. Consolidated comparable-store sales for the quarter on a 13-week basis increased 4% over the prior year’s 7% increase.

Net income for the 14-week fourth quarter was $605 million and diluted earnings per share were 82 cents, a 32% increase over last year’s 62 cents.

February 27, 2013

Study: Grocers Publix, Trader Joe's top experience rankings; Office Depot among most improved

WABAN, Mass. — Survey results released Wednesday by Temkin Group revealed that Publix and Trader Joe’s ranked the highest among 246 companies in terms of customer experience.

The 2013 Temkin Experience Ratings, which polled 10,000 U.S. consumers, were dominated by grocery chains and food purveyors. After Publix and Trader Joe’s was Aldi, and rounding out the top 12 were Chick-fil-A, Amazon.com, Sam's Club, H.E.B., Dunkin' Donuts, Save-a-Lot, Sonic Drive-In, Little Caeser's and Ace Hardware.

February 22, 2013

What's in a name: Casual Male now Destination XL Group

Casual Male Retail Group, a specialty retailer of big and tall men's apparel and accessories, is changing its corporate name to Destination XL Group Inc. to reflect the company's transition to its Destination XL (DXL) retail stores and DestinationXL.com e-commerce website.

CANTON, Mass. — Casual Male Retail Group, a specialty retailer of big and tall men's apparel and accessories, is changing its corporate name to Destination XL Group Inc. to reflect the company's transition to its Destination XL (DXL) retail stores and DestinationXL.com e-commerce website.

As previously announced, the company's ticker symbol was changed to "DXLG" effective Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. The name change will be effective as of Monday, Feb. 25, 2013.

February 7, 2013

Staples targets small business with big campaign

Staples has launched a new campaign aimed at drawing attention to its vast assortment of products for the small business customer.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples has launched a new campaign aimed at drawing attention to its vast assortment of products for the small business customer.

The commercials, including one 30-second and three 15-second varieties, will begin airing on Feb. 11 and will highlight Staples all-in-one-place availability of products and services.

January 31, 2013

NRF goes after surcharge fear mongering

The National Retail Federation is hoping to dispel fears that merchants are expected to surcharge customers for using a credit card as theoretically allowed under a controversial proposed lawsuit settlement with Visa and MasterCard being debated in the courts.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation is hoping to dispel fears that merchants are expected to surcharge customers for using a credit card as theoretically allowed under a controversial proposed lawsuit settlement with Visa and MasterCard being debated in the courts.

January 17, 2013

Reebok leaps into obstacle racing

Global fitness brand Reebok has entered into a multi-year partnership with Spartan Race that will see Reebok as the title sponsor of the global race series.

CANTON, Mass. — Global fitness brand Reebok has entered into a multi-year partnership with Spartan Race that will see Reebok as the title sponsor of the global race series.

Reebok’s titular sponsorship begins with the first race of the season at Vail Lake Resort in Temecula, Calif., on January 26 and 27.

January 17, 2013

Staples goes beyond office supplies, into the cloud

Staples has launched the Staples App Center, an online marketplace for cloud-based business applications.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples has launched the Staples App Center, an online marketplace for cloud-based business applications.

The App Center will allow small businesses to purchase and manage their apps all in one place. The center boasts a selection of business apps, an administrative console and one consolidated bill.

January 16, 2013

Staples appoints new chief culture officer

Staples has promoted SVP of business services John Burke to SVP, chief culture officer, a newly created role.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples has promoted SVP of business services John Burke to SVP, chief culture officer, a newly created role.

Burke will be charged with leading global efforts focused on building Staples’ culture and for driving improved associate engagement. He will champion Staples’ approach to ethics, environmental sustainability, community relations and diversity and inclusion. Burke will also serve as president of the Staples Foundation, the company’s nonprofit philanthropic organization.

December 21, 2012

The TJX Companies extends its e-commerce reach

The TJX Companies has acquired Sierra Trading Post, an off-price Internet retailer based in Cheyenne, Wyoming, for approximately $200 million in cash.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — The TJX Companies has acquired Sierra Trading Post, an off-price Internet retailer based in Cheyenne, Wyoming, for approximately $200 million in cash.

The purchase was financed from TJX’s existing cash balances.