Marketing

The ever-expanding Dollar General has entered its 44th state.   The discounter opened a store in Hankinson, North Dakota. The company plans to open six additional locations in the state through spring 2017.   

The Bon-Ton Stores is expanding an initiative that gives its network of stores a more local flavor.    The department store retailer will add "Close to Home in-store shops to at least 100 stores this year after a successful launch in 45 stores in fall 2016.   

H&M is expanding one of its lesser-known banners with two high-profile locations.   The retailer plans to open a Weekday store on Regent Street in London, and also one in Paris, according to numerous British reports. Both locations are expected to open this summer.    The brand, known for its denim offerings and minimalist basics, currently operates some 27 stores in Europe, but this will be its first in the United Kingdom and France.  

Watch out Victoria’s Secret — Amazon is moving onto your turf.   The online retail giant plans to launch a line of inexpensive bras in the United States, reported The Wall Street Journal.   The bras will be priced around $10, according to the report, which is significantly lower than the bras sold by Victoria's Secret and other lingerie retailers.   

J.Jill Group is looking at a return to the public markets. The apparel retailer, which is owned by private-equity firm TowerBrook Capital Partners LP, announced that it has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to a proposed initial public offering of its common stock. TowerBrook acquired J.Jill from Arcapita and Golden Gate Capital in 2015. The chain was previously owned by The Talbots.

Whole Foods Market is feeling the impact of increased competition by mainstream supermarkets.   The retailer is slowing down its rate of opening new stores, reported the Austin Business Journal, and no longer has a goal of 1,200-plus stores.    

Target is prepping for another program aimed at start-ups, specifically those focused on health and wellness.   The new program, called “Target Takeoff,” supports health- and wellness-related start-ups through a “mini-accelerator” effort that will help young companies develop and connect with the major retailers in town.  

Nordstrom’s decision to stop carrying the Ivanka Trump brand continues to generate controversy.      On Thursday, Kellyanne Conway, counselor to the president, endorsed the first daughter’s products during an appearance on the television show, “Fox & Friends,” saying, “Go buy Ivanka’s stuff … It’s a wonderful line. I own some of it. … I’m going to give a free commercial here. Go buy it today. You can find it online.”  

The National Retail Federation’s economic forecast for 2017 is a mostly positive one.   The association is projecting that retail industry sales, which exclude automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants, will grow between 3.7% and 4.2% over 2016, roughly in line with last year’s 3.8% increase.     Online and other non-store/online sales, which are included in the overall number, are expected to increase between 8% and 12%.  

The Iowa-based Von Maur department store chain will be installing a 90,000-sq.-ft. location at PREIT’s Woodland Mall in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in a space to be vacated by Sears. A 2019 opening is planned.   A 145-year-old, family-owned chain of 31 stores in 14 states, Von Maur’s offerings aspired to the high end with brands like Eileen Fisher, Coach, and Tommy Bahama.