Associations

New York -- The International Council of Shopping Centers forecasts a 4.0% increase in sales during the November-December holiday shopping period, the strongest gain in three years, amid positive economic signals. Total holiday shopping sales at shopping centers is estimated to be $488.6 billion in the same period.

Hauppauge, N.Y. - Premier Store Fixtures, a provider of interior fixtures for the retail industry, has appointed Richard Winter as CEO and a member of the board of directors. Winter has more than 25 years of senior executive experience in the store fixtures industry, including serving as the sector president of The Marmon Group’s retail services division.

New York -- Associated Foods Stores president Robert Sigel announced that Zulema Wiscovitch has joined the company as executive VP and chief administrative officer.

Longtime CPG industry executive and former GMDC president Rick Tilton has been laid to rest after passing away at his Arizona home on September 20.

Arlington, Va. - The 2014 holiday season will see the highest levels of consumer spending on consumer electronics (CE) since 1994. According to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) holiday outlook, total tech spending during the holidays will increase 2.5% to reach a record $33.76 billion during the 2014 holiday season.

New York -- The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to consider whether a Muslim woman who was denied a job at an Abercrombie & Fitch Co. store because she wears a head scarf was required to specifically request a religious accommodation at the time of her job interview.

The court agreed to hear an appeal filed in the case by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the federal agency that sued the retailer on behalf of Samantha Elauf, who was denied a sales job at an Abercrombie Kids store in Tulsa, Oklahoma, back in 2008.

Dole reaffirmed its commitment to increase healthier food options for students by teaming up with grocery retailer Martin’s Supermarkets and wholesale foods supplier Caito Foods to donate salad bars to five public schools in Indiana.

These self-serve produce bars will feature an assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables.

A week after Gordon Brothers Group — a global advisory, restructuring and investment firm specializing in the retail, consumer products, industrial and real estate sectors — tapped a new CEO, the company promoted Frank Grimaldi to national sales manager of the firm’s valuation and advisory services division.
 

New York – More than 100 retailers, including Macy’s and J.C. Penney, have reportedly joined forces with the New York Police Department to create the Metropolitan Organized Retail Crime Alliance. According to the New York Daily News, the alliance will share information on criminals and scams targeting retailers and their customers.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group has been recognized by the CDP (formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project) and The Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) for its ongoing leadership and commitment to sustainability and energy conservation.