The lackluster veteran retailer Sears garnered the most Facebook likes for its e-commerce store among the top nine department store chains surveyed during the holiday season of 2014, according to a recent study by Searchmetrics. 
The study analyzed the number of weekly Facebook likes, comments and shares for pages from the websites of nine top U.S. department stores and three mass merchant stores during November and December 2014.


Sears topped the list of department stores with 12,032,546 Facebook links (likes, comments, shares) for its web pages per week, followed by Kohls with 5,209,287 Facebook links per week. The margin of victory comes as a surprise given that Sears continues to lose money for 10-consecutive quarters, also posting 8 years of declining sales as Dec. 4, 2014.

Walmart was the most popular of the three mass merchant stores analyzed with 40,312,744 Facebook links per week for its web pages during the period. Target and Costco were a distant second and third, according to the study.


Top department store websites on Facebook:

1. Sears.com 12,032,546

2. Kohls.com 5,209,287 

3. Macys.com 2,331,733

4. Nordstrom.com 1,621,226

5. JCPenney.com 393,934

6. NeimanMarcus.com 260,775

7. SaksFifthAvenue.com 187,440

8. Belk.com 39,568

9. Dillards.com 4,405


Top mass merchant store websites on Facebook:

1. Walmart.com 40,312,744

2. Target.com 16,505,929

3. Costco.com 5,324,495

Southeastern Freight Lines, a provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, promoted James Williams as the service center manager of the Fort Smith offices.
 
In five years with Southeastern, Williams has served in a variety of roles, including outbound supervisor, outbound operations manager, inbound operations manager and assistant service center manager.
 
“As a key member of the Southeastern team, James has proven to be a valued leader who upholds our company culture and always works to provide top-quality service to each customer,” said David Turner, regional vice president of operations, Southeastern Freight Lines. “We are excited to welcome James to the Fort Smith team and are confident his leadership skills and experience will be a great asset in his role as service center manager.”
 

The food court at Pinnacle Promenade recently closed after several years of failing to keep food service tenants in place as dozens of eateries cropped up around the mall’s perimeter.

The 27,000 square-foot building has had more use hosting special events, Santa in front of the fireplace and headquarters for numerous 5k charity race events which as mall management mulling the future possibilities of this prime retail space.

“We are in negotiations with a retailer for about 20,000 square feet of the space. I would like to keep the other 7,000 square feet for a small event room and we want to retain the fireplace for Santa visits,” said David Faulkner, general manager for the Pinnacle Hills Promenade Mall.

The open-air shopping venue features several restaurants within its other buildings as well as snack options from cookies, ice cream, candy and pretzel shops.

Faulkner said the earliest a new retailer could open within the space is likely the fall given the needed renovation time. He said large charity events could possibly be moved outside in event tents, heated and cooled as necessary.

Pratt Place Inn and Barn in Fayetteville has been awarded the Four-Star Hotel designation by Forbes Travel Guide.

The Forbes accolade is just the most recent recognition. Pratt Place Inn has received the Four-Diamond ranking from AAA every year since it opened its doors in 2008. In addition, Martha Stewart Weddings named Pratt Place Barn as one of its 50 top spots in the US for a destination wedding.

“Being awarded a distinction like the prestigious Forbes Four-Star ranking is a wonderful thing indeed. It shows that an outside, independent, world-wide evaluator has recognized what a special place we have created here in Northwest Arkansas,” Pratt Place Owner Julian Archer said in a statement.

Pratt Place Inn is an independent, locally owned and operated, 7-room, boutique hotel situated on 140 private, wooded acres. It is situated just a mile from the University of Arkansas campus and the dynamic heart of Fayetteville on Dickson Street. The Inn has been furnished with curated antiques, artwork, and furnishings from travels around the world.

Additionally, the hotel affords easy access to the Walton Art Center, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, and other architectural and natural attractions of Northwest Arkansas.

Fayetteville-based BlueInGreen has a new president as John Kucharik joined the company to assume that role, according to CEO Clete Brewer.

Kucharik has domestic and international business experience within the water industry.  He has been President/CEO of private and public companies, and is driven by the challenge of building high performance organizations, according to the release.

He joins BlueInGreen in "growth mode," as the company has tripled 2014 revenues over 2013, has a backlog of purchase orders and four market-ready products, Brewer said.

Mercy Fort Smith has announced it is the only certified cancer Survivorship Training and Rehab (STAR) program in Arkansas.

Through the Mercy Oncology Rehabilitation certified Survivorship Training and Rehab (STAR) Program, patients are cared for by rehabilitation specialists who provide methods to help them achieve the highest level of healing and function.

Mercy’s specialists include: medical oncologists, a patient navigator, massage therapists, pastoral services, psychiatrists, physical, occupational and speech therapists, personal trainers, dietitians, and general surgeons.

The specialists work to address balance, walking, strength, fatigue, pain, cognitive and emotional function, sleep changes, headaches, and the inability to perform daily living activities.

Dr. Julie Silver, associate professor at Harvard Medical School and a cancer survivor, and her team of clinicians developed the STAR Program. Following her treatment of cancer, she realized there was a gap in helping survivors of numerous diseases to heal after treatment.

An employee of a contract cleaning company died while sanitizing equipment at a Tyson Foods poultry plant in Shelbyville, Tenn., on Tuesday (Feb. 17). James Currier, 38, of Shelbyville fell into the machinery he was cleaning for contract service provider QSI.

Tyson Foods spokesman Gary Michelson said the accident happened early Tuesday morning when the plant was not in operation, but rather being sanitized. The plant reopened Wednesday (Feb.. 18).

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been notified of the accident. Tyson Foods and QSI expressed their deepest sympathy for the family and co-workers of the deceased.

The new management team at Walmart U.S. has no where to go but up, according to a recent survey by the American Customer Satisfaction Index released Wednesday (Feb. 18). While consumers’ overall satisfaction with retail stores fell 1.4% in 2014, Wal-Mart’s score of 68 was down 4.2% from the prior year, tying the retail giant’s lowest score which was first hit in 2007. The 68 was also the lowest ranking in the discount and department store categories.

Walmart U.S. CEO Greg Foran has vowed to “fix the shopper experience” and he’s restructured his entire management team noting that it will take some time given there are more than 5,000 stores and he’s focused on every one of them doing a better a job.

Nordstrom held on the top spot with a score of 86 out of 100, rising 3.6% from the prior year’s survey. Little-Rock-based Dillard’s took second place with a score of 81 which was the same ranking consumers gave it in 2013.

Target also made a nice comeback in 2014 with a score of 80, up 3.9% from the prior year following the security breach that impacted millions of shoppers.

Other retailers losing favor with consumers were Kohl’s, whose score of 80, slid 1.2% from the prior year. Sears also shed points scoring a 73, down from 77 last year.

Customer Satisfaction Rating
Nordstrom: 86
Dillard’s: 81
Kohl’s: 80
Target: 80
Dollar Tree: 79
Macy’s: 79
J.C. Penney: 77
Dollar General: 75
Family Dollar: 75
Sears: 73
Wal-Mart: 68

Harry Robinson Buick GMC has received a 2015 DealerRater Dealer of the Year award, a 2015 DealerRater Consumer Satisfaction Award and a Women’s Choice Award from WomenCertified.

The Dealer of the Year awards are based on reviews by new- and used-car shoppers and those who took their vehicles into dealerships for service. Reviewers evaluated Harry Robinson Buick GMC on its customer service, quality of work, friendliness, pricing and overall experience.

“It’s an honor to be among the top rated dealers in the country & to again be named Dealer of Year for Arkansas for Buick & GMC,” Renee Durham, general manager, Harry Robinson Buick GMC, said in a statement.

DealerRater attracts more than 12 million consumers every year who read more than 1.7 million dealer reviews.

The Consumer Satisfaction Award recognizes auto dealerships that deliver outstanding customer service as rated by online consumer reviews. Consumer Satisfaction Awards are given annually to the top 10% of U.S. new-car dealers based on their PowerScore, as well as all U.S. used-car and Canadian (new and used) car dealerships that meet DealerRater’s Dealer of the Year criteria.

The Women’s Choice Award was based on excellent recommendations from female customers in a customer satisfaction survey conducted by WomenCertified using the dealership’s customer database. Harry Robinson Buick GMC received excellent survey scores in several areas including the overall sales experience, with 9 out of 10 women surveyed saying they would recommend Harry Robinson Buick GMC to their family and friends.

According to WomenCertified, women buy more than half of the new vehicles in the U.S. and influence up to 80% of all car purchases. Also, 65% of service customers at dealerships are women, and women spend more than $200 billion per year on new vehicles and mechanical servicing of vehicles.

“On behalf of everyone here at Harry Robinson Buick GMC, it is such an honor again to be a Women’s Choice Award recipient, and to be the most trusted dealership for women in Arkansas. We are so thankful to our customers for their highest recommendation. Thank you to WomenCertified, our staff & our amazing customers who made this award possible,” Durham said in a statement.

Balfour Beatty Communities and Block Multifamily Group have acquired the Ranch at Pinnacle Point, a 392-unit multifamily community built in 2007 in northwest Rogers. In this joint venture, Balfour Beatty will deliver asset management services and Block will perform all property management services.

“The Rogers, Ark,, rental market is proving to be quite strong as a result of regional job and population growth, making this acquisition a perfect fit with our multifamily strategy," said Chris Williams, president of Balfour Beatty Communities. "We are quite pleased to enter this new geographic market for our business and partner with Block Multifamily to deliver a quality, high-performing residential community."

Ranch at Pinnacle Point consists of one, two and three bedroom units that range from 650 to 1350 square feet. The apartment homes offer walk-in closets, washer/dryer connections, fireplaces, a balcony, deck or patio, and garage parking. Community amenities include a pool, fitness center, billiards room, movie theatre, business center, clubhouse, dog park, and a sand volleyball court.

“The joint relationship between Block Multifamily Group and Balfour Beatty Communities provides our investors with a powerhouse management team,” said Bill Larson, president of BMG.

The University of Arkansas System bestowed the title of vice chancellor emeritus to Mark Horn of Fort Smith during a University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Board of Visitors meeting held on UAFS campus Feb. 17.
 
Horn, who retired in June from his position as the university’s vice chancellor for university relations, received the title in recognition of his 22 years of work as an administrator at the university, making him the first UAFS employee to receive an emeritus title from the UA System.
 
“I think it’s a distinct honor,” Horn said. “I’m very proud of my association with UAFS, and I’m very proud to have my time and contribution of service to the institution recognized by the University of Arkansas System. I’ll wear this title proudly.”
 
The resolution to grant Horn the title was presented to the UAFS Faculty Senate in December. It approved the measure unanimously before passing it to the University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees, who approved the proposal at their January meeting.
 
UAFS Chancellor Dr. Paul Beran presented a framed copy of the resolution to Horn during the Board of Visitors meeting and lauded Horn’s ability to lead with integrity during his tenure.
 
“If you know him, you know that there is no one who is a greater standard-bearer for ethical decision-making,” Beran said.
 
Horn came to the university in 1992 as the vice president for finance and administration, where he oversaw the construction of buildings across campus, most notably the Donald W. Reynolds Bell Tower and the Math-Science Building.
 
Following that, he served in various roles for the remainder of his tenure, including vice president for planning and accountability, vice chancellor for planning and budgeting, and vice chancellor for finance and administration.
 
Horn received a bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He completed additional studies in national security management through the National Defense University in Washington, D.C. Horn attended the Harvard University Institute of Educational Management in 2008 and is a 1995 graduate of the Leadership Fort Smith program. He and his wife Lynn have two children, Ramsey and Leslie, and four grandchildren.
 
Horn serves as the director of Leadership Fort Smith, where he is overseeing its transition to the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce.

NorthWest Arkansas Community College will offer the first of several monthly culinary personal enrichment classes to the public. In a partnership with NWACC Workforce Development, the college is offering the Born2Cook Inspired classes.

The first class, focused on Italian cuisine, will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m., March 5, in the demonstration kitchen inside the Shewmaker Center for Global Business Development on the college’s Bentonville Campus.

The fee for the class is $75. Students will learn to cook an Italian dinner and then enjoy the meal afterward. Students interested in the personal enrichment class may phone Corporate Learning at 479-936-5175. Space is limited.

Participants in the March 5 class will prepare fresh ricotta cheese to fill homemade cannelloni crepes that will be baked in marinara. Sumptuous Pork Milanese will be accompanied by a crisp green salad tossed with creamy garlic Parmesan dressing, and the instructors also will teach participants how to make a quick homemade Focaccia to round out this Italian feast.

Arvest has promoted Don Walker to regional executive allowing him to assist a group of Arvest banks throughout Arkansas. In this role he will work with management teams and boards of directors in overseeing expansion opportunities, business plan execution, asset quality and budgeting. He will also be responsible for federal governmental relations for Arvest.

“Don’s 30 years of exemplary service and experience as a bank president in three of our markets gives him unique insight and expertise that will prove invaluable to the local banks that he will be serving,” said Arvest CEO Kevin Sabin.

Walker will return to Northwest Arkansas where he grew up and began his banking career. He previously served as a market president for Arvest in Siloam Springs, Bentonville and Tulsa, Okla. He has been in Tulsa since 1998. The Arvest Tulsa market has 39 branches and $2.1 billion in assets.

“I’m especially excited to be returning and living in the same city as my daughter, her husband and my 4-year old grandson. The thought of getting to spend more time with him during his formative years made this impossible to pass up,” Walker said.

Walker, who has been with Arvest for 37 years, began his career with the bank as a loan officer in 1978 in Bentonville after graduating from the University of Arkansas. Walker and his wife, Sheroll, have one adult daughter, Jessica Walker Nohl; a son-in-law, Brent Nohl; and a 4-year-old grandson, Walker.

The corporations deemed to be “Most Admired” by Fortune Magazine this year included two locally-based companies – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Tyson Foods.

Wal-Mart ranked No. 38 on the list cracking the top 50 again this year, but it dropped from the No. 28 ranking it held last year. Wal-Mart’s retail competitors Amazon and Costco each ranked higher at No. 4 and No. 16, respectively

Tyson Foods did not make the top 50 list, but it did rank in the top 5 at No. 4 for its respective category – food production. Tyson Foods' competitor Sanderson Farms ranked below Tyson for food processors at No. 6.

The Women’s Foundation of Arkansas will recognize Joan Johnson, co-founder and president of Fayetteville-based White River Hardwood  as the 2015 Woman Business Leader at its third annual Power of the Purse Luncheon.

The event is slated for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday March 9, at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers. The foundation will also recognize the 2015 grant award winners.

The 2015 keynote speaker will be social change expert, Susan McPherson of McPherson Strategies. A silent auction of unique specialty handbags and items will begin at 10:30 a.m.
The money raised at the luncheon allows the foundation to continue awarding grants to educational projects and programs that serve women and girls across Arkansas.

For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.womensfoundationarkansas.org or contact Tammy Thurow at the Bentonville - Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce.

Arvest Bank Springdale announced two employment changes as Randall Harriman joins the company as a private banking advisor and Andrea Kennedy is promoted commercial banker.

Harriman has more than 14 years’ experience in banking and lending, most recently as an assistant vice president, lender and security manager for First Security Bank. He has worked at various local banks as a branch manager, consumer lender and commercial lender.  


“Randall brings to our team the experience and knowledge needed to work with our private banking clients on their complex financial needs,” said Mary Pedersen, Private Banking Manager for Arvest Bank. “We are excited to add Randall as a valuable addition to our private banking team in Springdale.”


A native of Springdale, Harriman earned his bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Harriman serves on the board of directors of the Arts Center of the Ozarks. He and his wife, Lindsay, have 7-year-old twins, daughter Reese and son Eli.

Kennedy is a vice president with more than 12 years’ experience in with Arvest, most recently as a private banking advisor.

“Andrea’s extensive experience both with Springdale and with the private banking customers here make her especially skilled for her new position,” said Richard Winesburg, commercial loan manager for Arvest Bank in Springdale. “Her professionalism and focus on customer service are a credit to Arvest and a benefit to our customers.”

Kennedy is also native of Springdale and attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She holds an Arkansas Insurance license, Series 7 Securities license and Series 66 license.

She is a member of the Springdale Rotary Club and volunteers with Partners in Education. Kennedy and her husband, Keith, have three children, Lexy, Allie and Carter.

Wal-Mart and the Walmart Foundation announced Thursday (Feb. 26) the initial investment of $16 million to seven national nonprofit organizations. This is the first part of the recently announced Opportunity initiative that will provide $100 million commitment to help increase the economic mobility of entry level workers in retail sector.

This investment aims to address some fundamental challenges to advancement, including the skills gap among U.S. workers. The $100 million commitment was first announced last week (Feb. 19) by Wal-Mart President and CEO Doug McMillon.

“We are delighted that Wal-Mart is among the growing group of employers investing in education and employment opportunities for workers across the country," said Russell Krumnow, managing director of Opportunity Nation. “The National Opportunity Summit is an event where leaders from all sectors can come together around shared ideas to restore opportunity in America, and commit to action that will transform our businesses, communities and our country."

Wal-Mart made the $16 million presentation at the National Opportunity Summit which was held in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. This initial investment will help more than 12,000 retail and related sector workers gain the knowledge and training they need to advance in their careers through programs offered by the following nonprofit organizations.

The skills gap among workers is a pressing issue facing the United States today. According to the Bridge Gap Report published by Harvard Business School, 51% of retailers find it difficult to fill middle-skills roles.

“We are excited to partner with other foundations, employers, training providers, government bodies and nonprofit organizations to improve career pathways for people in retail and adjacent sectors,” said Kathleen McLaughlin, president of the Walmart Foundation, senior vice president of Corporate Affairs.“We believe progress requires collective action in the industry to align on the skills required for advancement and to develop more innovative, effective, and universally-used training and assessments that recognize on-the-job learning. Ultimately, we aim to increase economic mobility of the U.S. retail workforce as a whole.”

Cherokee Nation Entertainment officials have named Chad McReynolds as the new general manager of Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland.

McReynolds, a Cherokee Nation citizen, brings more than 20 years of operational management experience, the last decade of which has been working in gaming operations. He joined Cherokee Casino Roland in 2003.

“I started my career with CNE as a card dealer and a way to just get my foot in the door,” said McReynolds. “The gaming industry was always intriguing and seemed like a great way to make a living. During my years at CNE, not only have I loved the job, but I’ve also come to appreciate the great things the Cherokee Nation is doing with its gaming profits. It gives a greater sense of purpose knowing the work we are doing improves services and creates more jobs for the Cherokee people.”

During his 12 years with CNE, McReynolds worked at various locations in the casino's operations. He’s worked as a card dealer, concessions attendant, cashier, materials manager, poker manager, card games manager and, most recently, as the casino operations manager.

“Chad is a great example of our commitment to developing Cherokee leaders within the organization,” Mark Fulton, chief operating officer of Cherokee Nation Entertainment, said in a statement. “We look forward to watching his continued growth, especially given the vast expansion this property is undergoing.”

In his new role, McReynolds will oversee all operations at the property, which includes transitioning the entertainment destination to its new facility this summer. This summer, Cherokee Casino will open in its new $80 million, 170,000-square-foot venue, featuring 850 electronic games, table games, two dining venues, convention space and a resort-style hotel.

Cherokee Nation Entertainment is the wholly owned gaming, hospitality, retail and tourism entity of the Cherokee Nation. The company operates Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa; seven Cherokee Casinos, including a horse racing track; three hotels; three golf courses; and other retail operations.

Cherokee Casino Roland is located off U.S. 64 on Cherokee Boulevard in Roland.

Awards, highlights from 2014 and a chat with University of Arkansas Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long were key features during the 93rd Annual Rogers/Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet.

The banquet was Friday (Feb.27). 2014 and board chairman Ric Clifford shared highlights of 2014 and gave vision to 2015.

“(The year) 2014 saw success in growing business, building community and establishing a framework for our area’s future,” Clifford said. “Positive new business growth and expansions resulted in another year of significant job creation helping create meaningful opportunities for Chamber members to sell their goods and services as businesses in Rogers-Lowell created over 1,300 new jobs.”

He said the chamber experienced diverse capital investments of more than $70.3 million last year and they expect another $41.2 million over the next three years. Clifford commended the Government Affairs division for the drafted comprehensive legislative agenda for the 2015 session to ensure that the Chamber “remains the voice of area business.”

He also spoke of the development of Vision 2030, which is holistic vision and consensus based community action plan that will guide economic development and community improvement initiatives.

“As we move forward to advance our region and our specific business interests, let's all remember to stay humble and to count our blessings. We have so much to be proud of and to be thankful for, but there is still much work to do to create the job opportunities that will allow all members of our community to prosper and flourish,” Clifford said.

The following awards were given out at the annual banquet:

• Ambassador of the Year Award: Jill Bright
• Rogers Educator Hall of Fame: Walter Schrader
• Volunteer of the Year: Heather Slinkard
• Small Business of the Year: Shirley’s Flowers
• Spirit Award Winner: The Walmart AMP
• Elbert S. Graham/Elza Tucker Award: Mary Beth Matthews
• Dick Trammel Rogers Good Neighbor Award: Rob Brothers

The Illinois River Watershed Partnership will plant native trees along creeks and streams in the Illinois River Watershed of Northwest Arkansas as part of its annual riparian project slated for 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 7. Volunteers are needed to help plant trees and pick up litter at seven trailhead locations in Benton and Washington counties.

The Arkansas and Oklahoma forestry commissions are providing the trees, which create natural riparian buffers protecting the Illinois River and its tributaries against stormwater runoff and other land-use impacts. Volunteers may help at any of these trailhead locations:
• Enfield Trail, Bentonville, Parking at Tiger Boulevard/Northeast “A” Street
• Turtle Creek, Rogers, Parking at Oakdale Middle School
• Brush Creek, Springdale, Parking at Brush Creek Golf Pro Shop
• Spring Creek, Springdale, Parking at AQ Outback
• Sager Creek, Siloam Springs, Parking at Siloam Springs High School
• Mud/Scull Creek, Fayetteville, Parking at Academy Sports
• Illinois River, Prairie Grove, Joe Hall’s Farm at Bethel Blacktop Road

For a map of the locations click here.

Snacks and drinks will be provided during the event. For more information, contact Becky Roark, Illinois River Watershed Partnership resource specialist, at (479) 215-6623.