Amazon.com, Inc.

The new executive has been instrumental in growing brand portfolios in both global Fortune 500 companies (GlaxoSmithKline, Coca-Cola, Campbell's, and General Mills) and entrepreneurial companies.

The world's reigning retailer expects online sales to exceed $10 billion globally this fiscal year, and will open two large fulfillment centers to allow customers to shop seamlessly across online, mobile and stores. But will these steps enable the company to compete head-to-head with its largest online competitor?

Lets face it there isnt a lack of consumer studies out there that prove this brand is better than that one for reasons A, B and C. But this new study peaked our interest because, interestingly, it found that longstanding household brand names, like Quilted Northern, Jockey, Dixie and Dawn, beat out trendsetting technology brands, like Apple.

Either through specialized expertise in stores, like lululemon and Under Armour, or by ease of access to a wide variety of products, like Amazon, this year's fastest-growing retailers are going beyond function to a more emotional connection as the key to rapid growth.

With the growing competition from Amazon.com across all sectors in which it competes, brands like Target, Best Buy, Walmart and others are looking to understand how to better compete against this ubiquitous retailer. Results from a new study show that many retailers have a way to go; specifically, for most brands measured, the local store outperforms its online counterpart.

Despite being far more tech-savvy than previous generations, Generation Y, the 80-million strong cohort of Americans between the ages of 18 and 35, has not forsaken shopping in stores for online purchasing. Even more surprising are some of the brands they love best, including Walmart, Target and Kmart for groceries.

A new survey of 1,000 consumers reveals that loyalty has indeed become a two-way street. No longer are the days when brands can advocate solely for themselves. Read on for a breakdown of consumer loyalty preferences by gender, generation and geographic location.

Walmart holds the No. 1 position on an annual list of the 50 most valuable U.S. retail brands. Biggest risers Macy's and Amazon.com demonstrate the need to compete at the speed of retail. Find out which retailers fell off the list completely and which ones make their debut. Plus, Interbrand names retail market leaders in 11 other countries.