WASHINGTON » U.S. factory orders tumbled in April, a sign that manufacturers are struggling amid a stronger dollar and cheaper oil.
Orders fell 0.4 percent in April, marking the eighth decline in nine months, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. The key category that tracks business investment plans — nonmilitary capital goods excluding aircraft — slipped 0.3 percent. Orders for electronic products plunged 4 percent, while demand in the volatile aircraft category tailed off sharply.
New Web service sends tailors to homes
NEW YORK » Men’s Wearhouse founder George Zimmer, who was ousted from the suit retailer two years ago, still wants you to "like the way you look."
But this time, you don’t have to walk into a store to do so.
Zimmer launched zTailors this week, a company that sends clothing tailors to homes or offices. Booking a tailor to hem skirts or taper baggy shirts is done through the zTailors website or with a phone call. The company says it has hundreds of tailors in more than a dozen states and plans to be nationwide by the end of the summer.
Former Domino’s CEO to head Toys R Us
WAYNE, N.J. » The chairman and CEO of Toys R Us is retiring and will be succeeded by an executive with experience in taking companies public.
The privately held toy retailer said Tuesday that David Brandon will take over from Antonio Urcelay on July 1. The 63-year-old Brandon is the former chairman and CEO of Domino’s Pizza, and helped that company with its initial public offering.
Brandon also served as president and CEO of Valassis Communications and assisted with its transition to a publicly traded company.
Groups sue over Alaska drilling approval
ANCHORAGE, Alaska » Ten environmental groups Tuesday sued a federal agency over its approval of a plan by Royal Dutch Shell PLC for exploratory petroleum drilling off Alaska’s northwest coast.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management last month signed off on Shell’s exploratory drilling plan in the Chukchi Sea, which calls for two drill rigs and a support flotilla that includes spill-response vessels.
Drilling in the Arctic Ocean region is opposed by environmental groups that contend oil companies are not equipped to deal with a major blowout or spill in a part of the world lacking deep-water ports, major airports and other infrastructure routinely present in other drilling areas. They also say drilling will harm wildlife already hurt by the effects of climate warming.
Judge awards billions to Quebec smokers
MONTREAL » A judge has awarded more than $15 billion Canadian (US$12 billion) to Quebec smokers in a case that pitted them against three giant tobacco companies. The case is believed to be the biggest class-action lawsuit ever seen in Canada.
Superior Court Justice Brian Riordan said in his decision released late Monday that by choosing not to inform health authorities or the public directly of what they knew, the companies chose profits over the health of their customers.
The judgment calls on the companies to issue initial compensation of more than CA$1 billion in the next 60 days, regardless of whether they elect to appeal. The judge will decide at a later date how to distribute those funds.
ON THE MOVE
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort has welcomed back Sabra Wagner as director of revenue management. She has more than 20 years of experience, and 19 of those years has been with Hilton, including working at Hilton San Francisco Union Square Hotel, Hilton Oakland and Doubletree by Hilton San Jose.
Easter Seals Hawaii has announced three new executives to round out the senior management team:
» Jennifer Schember-Lang is vice president of programs. She has experience serving as executive director of Learning Disabilities Association of Hawaii.
» JoAnn Lumsden is chief financial officer. She served as chief financial officer for 20 years at Aloha United Way.
» Ted Burke is director of early intervention services. He was previously the director of Early Intervention Training Program at the University of Illinois.
