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Newell Rubbermaid’ (NYSE:NWL) chief executive Mark D. Ketchum will retire later this year, prompting a search by the consumer products company for his replacement. The Atlanta-based company, which operates under brands such as Dymo, Rubbermaid and Sharpie, said Tuesday it hired an executive recruiting firm to conduct an outside search and assist with the assessment of internal candidates. Ketchum, 61, will remain on the company’s board of directors through the spring of 2012 to help ensure a smooth transition. “Although our board of directors and associates would have loved Mark

MyBuys released the December 2010 edition of its E-commerce Health and Wellness Index. December was exceptional for the e-commerce industry as total revenue increased 8.3 percent overall on the strength of better than expected holiday online shopping sales. Revenue from full-priced item sales increased 15.6 percent vs. the same period last year. Combined, these increases drove the index up 14.2 percent compared to the same month one year ago.

The Internal Revenue Service gave retailers a major victory on gift cards this week, saying sales of the cards don’t have to be counted as taxable income until they're redeemed, even if they were sold through a subsidiary or franchise or issued as a refund for returned merchandise.

Shoppers will continue to spend more this year, spurred by a slowly improving job market and an uptick in income, but enough shoppers are still struggling with their finances that any increase will be modest, a retail industry expert said.

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Shares of Perry Ellis International jumped more than 13 percent Friday after the company announced it will acquire Rafaella Apparel Group, currently controlled by Cerberus Capital Management, for $70 million and warrants to purchase 106,564 shares of common stock. Rafaella, a designer and distributor of women's sportswear has annual revenues of $122 million.

Stage Stores Inc. (SSI) named a former executive of Charming Shoppes Inc.

MILL VALLEY, CA (BRAIN)—Alienation has just launched a new online store for its dealers (click on title and then "visit link"). Browse new products, view detailed product images and get special dealer pricing all in one stop. All orders are shipped out same day of placement allowing you to restock and resale much quicker than ever before, according to a press release. Dealers will receive discounted pricing after registering through the site. As an added bonus, Alienation will offer dealers a special discount of 15 percent off the first order after signing up. Please email rob@alienationbmx.com for instructions on

Philadelphia-based teen retailer Five Below Inc. has announced plans to expand in Chicago, with the opening of up to 60 new stores over the next three to five years. The company, which already has signed 12 store leases, plans to open up to 20 new stores in the Chicago market in spring 2011. "Chicago is the gateway to the Midwest as Five Below continues its expansion," said Tom Vellios, CEO and co-founder of Five Below. The new stores average 8,000 sq. ft. With these new stores, Five Below will operate in 15 states from New Hampshire to North Carolina

Despite U.S. consumers' threats of protests in response to the redesigned Starbucks logo recently unveiled, the new look may be a smart move in the long run as the coffee company expands into Asian markets, according to a Rice University researcher who has studied consumer reaction to logos.