Content about North America

May 13, 2013
Colliers: Shopping centers national vacancy rate down in Q1

The national vacancy rate for shopping centers dropped slightly from 10.09% to 10.06% in the first quarter of 2013, according to a study by global real estate services company Colliers International.

May 3, 2013
Parametric’s directed sound going into more Build-A-Bear Workshop stores

Parametric Sound Corp. announced that Build-A-Bear Workshop will include the company's directed-sound product, HyperSound, in an additional 20-25 newly designed stores that it plans to open across North America this year.

April 23, 2013
Coach tops estimates; Reed Krakoff to step down
Coach reported that its net income for three-month period ending on March 30 rose 6.2% to $238.9 million amid strong sales in North America, beating analysts’ expectations.
April 10, 2013
American Eagle Outfitters names former Guess exec as Asia Pacific head

American Eagle Outfitters said it has named Kitty Yung to the position of EVP/president of Asia Pacific, charged with supporting the chain’s global geographic and channel growth “while aligning with our strategic plan of fortifying core assets, growing North America and transforming to a global omni-channel competitor …,” said Robert Hanson, CEO.

March 15, 2013
The Spark Behind Sephora

HEADQUARTERS San Francisco

TYPE OF BUSINESS Beauty and fragrance retailer

NUMBER OF STORES 1,600 global locations, including 325 stores in North America and 386 in-store shops in J.C. Penney

Beauty and cosmetics retailer Sephora is ignited not only by its highly trained cast of associates and smart, forward-thinking approach to in-store digital, but also by the man behind the black, white and red store design.

March 1, 2013
Party City to expand growth in New England with acquisition of iParty Corp.

iParty Corp., a leading party goods retailer with a strong presence in New England, has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Party City Holdings Inc., North America’s largest party supply retailer.

February 27, 2013
POS terminal numbers continue strong growth, despite smartphone popularity

The overall penetration of POS devices continued to expand 3.9% in North America and 4.6% around the globe in 2012, according to The POS Vendor Shipments Database, released by IHL Group.

February 21, 2013
Wendy’s embraces more modern look; 200 remodels planned for 2013

Wendy’s is getting a makeover. On Feb. 25, the company will unveil its new, more contemporary-looking logo in advertising, on product packaging, crew uniforms, new restaurant signage, menuboards and digital assets.

February 12, 2013
Claire's names Sam’s Club merchandising chief as president

Claire’s Stores announced that Sam’s Club EVP and chief merchandising officer Linda Hefner Filler has been named president of Claire’s North America, effective March 1.

January 16, 2013
Fresh Market to open at One Loudoun

Miller and Smith, along with JV partner North America Sekisui House, said that The Fresh Market will open a new store at One Loudoun, in Loudoun County, Va.

January 16, 2013
Pitney Bowes survey finds younger consumers open to QR codes

Quick Response (QR) codes are gaining increasing acceptance among consumers in North America and Europe, particularly among younger consumers, according to a new research report commissioned by Pitney Bowes.

January 3, 2013
Menards and Icom North America team toward propane autogas fleet

Icom North America announced an installation program for 140 propane autogas Ford F150 pickup trucks for use by Menards home improvement stores.

November 28, 2012
Holiday Shopper Sentiment Report: Behind-the-Scenes Q&A

Chain Store Age editor Marianne Wilson talks with Michael Schulze, Senior Vice President & General Manager, North America Retail Industry, SAP America, about  the motivation behind the "Black Friday and Cyber Monday Consumer Face-Off," and the technology used to uncover its insights, in the following Q&A:

November 1, 2012
October comps a mixed bag

With retail books closed prior to Hurricane Sandy’s arrival in the Northeast, most retailers experienced same-store sales gains for the month of October, some with stronger showings than others.

October 11, 2012
Toys “R” Us launches international shipping for online orders

Toys “R” Us announced that international shipping is now available for online orders on Toysrys.com and Babiesrus.com to more than 60 countries across Asia, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, North America and South America.

October 4, 2012
Mixed bag for apparel retailers and department stores in September

Apparel retailers and department stores reported monthly revenue results for September that were mixed, as Gap Inc. and Limited Brands posted gains that beat Wall Street estimates, while Macy's and Kohl’s missed expectations.

September 24, 2012
ShopperTrak adds in-store analytics

ShopperTrak announced the beta release of a new interior counting system for retailers in North America and the United Kingdom.

September 21, 2012
Greeting Cards — and More

E-cards may be popular, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t still a market for greeting cards. Just ask Dominique Schurman, CEO of Schurman Retail Group. The privately held, Fairfield, Calif.-based company owns and operates some 400 stores in North America, including the fast-growing Papyrus brand.

September 18, 2012
Top 10 Must-See Stores … Fall Edition

The folks at Echochamber.com, a London-based consultancy, have a knack for rooting out hot retail concepts around the globe. Here’s a recap of the retailers who make up their latest “Top 10 Unmissable New Stores” report:

August 28, 2012
IHL Study: Self-checkouts on the rise

Self-checkout technology continues to rise in importance at retailers in North America, according to a new study by IHL Group.

August 1, 2012
Foot Locker goes live with RedPrairie enterprise workforce management

RedPrairie announced that Foot Locker has rolled out Red Prairie’s enterprise workforce management solution at approximately 2,700 stores throughout North America.

June 15, 2012
Report: Global shopping center development reaches all-time high

A report issued by C.B. Richard Ellis said that global shopping center development has reached unprecedented levels of construction and new openings, fueled by growing middle classes and retailer expansion.

May 18, 2012
Subway plans 1,200 stores for 2012, making deals at RECon

Sandwich mega-chain Subway said that it has set 2012 development goals of 1,200 North American locations and, toward that end, said a large contingent of company representatives will be in attendance at the International Council of Shopping Centers’ RECon event in Las Vegas, May 20-23.

May 8, 2012
Ikea launches construction on its largest North American store

Ikea said that it has begun construction on the expansion of its current Montreal store to what will be its largest store in North America.

April 13, 2012
Report: Retailers’ growth plans running 5% ahead of last year

Retailers’ growth plans are running about 5% ahead of year-ago projections, according to ChainLinks Retail Advisors’ Spring 2012 Retailer and Restaurant Expansion Guide.

© 2013