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Just 7.2 percent of mall retailers are using QR codes as part of their mobile strategy this holiday season, according to a new report from Nellymoser. The mobile plaform developer visited more than 700 retail locations and found that some retailers are using QR codes as part of a mobile strategy that extends beyond the brick-and-mortar store location.

Lou D’Ambrosio, chief executive officer of Sears, said creatively combining technology with spending on stores is the best way to turn around the largest U.S. department store chain. On Dec. 27, Sears announced it was closing as many as 120 locations after same-store sales slipped 5.2 percent in the eight weeks ended Dec. 25.

A former Apple retail employee has fired a departing salvo at Apple CEO Tim Cook in the form of an email outlining many internal developments at Apple retail stores and the employee's dissatisfaction with those developments. The email, reproduced at the employee's website, describes a devolution of the internal organization and treatment of Apple Retail employees in recent years.

High fashion may not be the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of Kohl's, but the retailer is trying to associate its name with just that. Using social media, the department store is promoting six of the designer labels it carries in its stores to not only be seen as a high end retailer, but also to increase traffic to its Facebook page and website as well as interaction with Facebook fans.

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. Brookstone also announced that James M. Speltz has been appointed as the company's VP, COO. Speltz most recently served as the company's VP business development and supply chain.

Macy's, Wal-Mart and others continue to get high marks from Wall Street as the busy season draws to a close, while Sears proved that it's really not a jolly holiday for all stores. Wal-Mart's return to layaway helped the world's largest retailer and pressured others.

Saatchi & Saatchi New York and J.C. Penney have officially parted ways, ending a five-year relationship that birthed a new image of the retailer, transforming it from stodgy into a fresh-faced purveyor of affordable clothes for American families. The alliance, which had its roots in a meeting of the minds between the retailer and Saatchi chief Kevin Roberts, resulted in some memorable work.

Amsterdam-based design firm Como Park was commissioned by Levi’s to create a new store interior concept. Como Park repurposed much of the lighting and wood flooring from Levi’s Bread and Butter trade show booth. It also scoured Amsterdam for salvaged materials including old doors, bicycles and furniture.

Michael Fuller stood in the checkout aisle at a Wal-Mart in North Carolina trying to buy a vacuum cleaner, microwave oven and some other random products which totaled $476. He handed the cashier the fake $1 million bill and awaited his change.

comScore reported holiday season retail e-commerce spending for the first 56 days of the November through December 2011 holiday season. For the holiday season to date, $35.3 billion has been spent online, marking a 15 percent increase vs. the corresponding days last year.