Q&As

Domestic automakers spent 12% less on consumer incentives in June over the previous year indicating that the Big Three U.S. automakers (Chrysler, Ford and General Motors) have tightened the purse strings.

Ed Mueller will step down from his position as CEO of Williams-Sonoma Inc. effective July 14. Howard Lester, the multi-brand cataloger and retailer’s chairman, will take over the CEO position while continuing to serve as chairman

The Talbots Inc. said that it will save $30 million in costs stemming from its J. Jill acquisition.

Dunkin

Starbucks is out with an interactive scavenger hunt that will get consumer texting on their cell phones for a chance to win a trip to Costa Rica.

Volkswagen of America is headed to Miami for a blow-out block party on Sunday, where it will target African-Americans with ticket upgrades to the All-Star Basketball Game, as well as rides in its vehicles.

Casual apparel chain Steve’s & Barry’s University Sportswear has launched a new marketing campaign built around Universal Pictures’ upcoming release of You, Me and Dupree. The program dangles an in-store sweepstakes that will send the grand-prize winner on a trip to Hollywood.

The Hooters Restaurant chain, best known for waitresses who serve piles of buffalo wings wearing skimpy, tight-fitting uniforms, has found itself in hot water over a Los Angeles bikini contest to raise funds for charity.

Grocery giant Ahold has put 46 Tops supermarkets on the block in order to concentrate on the 73 Tops stores in its core markets.

The Children’s Advertising Review Unit has referred advertising for Web sites operated by Paws, Inc., to the Federal Trade Commission after the company refused to participate in a self-regulatory process.