Multichannel home improvement merchant Home Depot will close three call centers for its home services business, affecting appoximately 950 jobs.

Sears' purchase of a 13% stake in Restoration Hardware Inc. is an indication of a further upscale push from the mid-price retailer.

Retailer Bath Body Works is using its recent partnership with Bazaarvoice ratings and reviews to increase sales via e-mail.

House Garden magazine raised ad pages 43 percent with its June issue, its top performance this year, capping the best six months in the shelter title's century-plus history.