Business news for Mon, 31 Dec 2007 & with word department. 5 news.

Starting Jan. 1, customers with complaints against design professionals, from architects to landscape engineers, must first submit their claims to the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

The Ahmedabad-based company is now a part of the publicity department of ISRO's Mission-to-Moon project.

Promising to fight for an "end to stasis" in the city's development and planning process, city hall veteran Michael Cohen will take over Mayor Gavin Newom's workforce and economic development department.

HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Tokyo-listed supermarket and department store operator Seiyu Ltd. will undergo a restructuring that will see the firm refurbish stores and open new ones, while targeting a return to profitability within two years, according to the Nikkei business daily. As part of its transformation to a wholly-owned subsidiary Wal-Mart Stores Inc. this spring, the firm will consolidate five regional units, up the pace of its refurbishment plans to include more than 70 stores in 2008 and make other adjustments to its supply chain and payroll procedures, the Nikkei reported. Seiyu will open about 60 new stores by 2012 and target annual group sales of more than 1.2 trillion yen. The report said the strategy set out the goals as part of five-year plan.

Macy's said it plans to close nine stores in six states. The retailer has struggled in the Midwest since acquiring May Department Stores in 2005.