aggregatedcontent

In the retail category, the office supply company holds the top three slots in the contest, posting average energy savings of $5,700 per store.

ANN INC., parent to the Ann Taylor and LOFT brands, announced it will launch a four-year investment in young women’s leadership. According to ANN President and CEO Kay Krill, who joined with women’s leadership organization Vital Voices President and CEO Alyse Nelson, the pair will launch ANNpower Vital Voices Initiative.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings has begun the staged roll out of Apple iPads and Apple iPod Touch devices, starting with nearly 450 stores nationwide. The move is designed enhance the relationship between customers and associates while improving the overall in-store shopping experience, Sears said. "Leveraging wireless access and mobile technology and putting new tools into the hands of our associates and customers is another step toward becoming a truly integrated retailer," said Deidra Merriwether, senior VP and president, Retail Services, Sears. The devices and their applications will immediately help associates improve customer service and create a more

Gap is growing its footprint in Latin America through franchising. The company will open its first stores in South America in Chile this month through a partnership with locally based merchant Komax. Gap will also introduce Gap and Banana Republic stores to Panama and Colombia in 2012.

Facebook is tapping eBay's commerce platform to create new social shopping experiences for hundreds of millions of consumers. eBay is integrating Facebook's new Open Graph 2.0 functionality into its global commerce systems, which come under the umbrella of a new business unit called X.commerce.

__

LUSH Cosmetics has selected the Demandware Commerce platform to power three new e-commerce storefronts in North America. LUSH Cosmetics' handmade products are sold online and in more than 700 retail stores across 45 countries.

WaterSense labeled products have helped consumers save 125 billion gallons of water and $2 billion in water and energy bills.

The photo of First Lady Michelle Obama shopping at Target made news because it's thought her retail forays are rare. But Mrs. Obama said she goes out more "than people realize."

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples is looking to appeal to more small business customers by offering an expanded selection of printed products through its Copy & Print service. To further entice these customers, through Nov. 12, the company is offering 30% off all purchases of Copy & Print services of $30 or more produced in store, online or by phone. “Staples wants to see small businesses succeed with print solutions that combine great quality and value,” said John Burke, SVP business services for Staples Inc. “Our customers can easily create a professional look and feel for their business with our