Strategy

Tanger Outlets is putting its pedal to the metal marketing-wise, signing on as lead sponsor of Martin Truex Jr.’s No. 78 NASCAR racer and his Furniture Row Racing Team.   The striking red-and-black Tanger Toyota will debut at the Federated Auto Parts 400 on September 10 at Richmond International Raceway in Virginia before motoring on through the 10-race Chase  playoff series.  

In a scenario that few could have predicted, Walmart has emerged as one of President Obama’s most reliable corporate allies, a partner that has backed the White House on more than a dozen initiatives, including Obamacare and climate change, bloomberg.com reported.  

Nordstrom shoppers will now be able to purchase J.Crew apparel, as well as its sister brand Madewell.   Continuing to expand its partnerships with select brands, the department store retailer has entered into a new deal with J. Crew Group to sell an edited assortment of J.Crew apparel at select full-line Nordstrom and on its website beginning Sept. 12.       The assortment, to be featured in 16 Nordstrom locations, will include women's apparel, accessories and petites (online only).

Photo: Steelblue   There’s a reason that dining and entertainment destinations are the key success components at retail centers these days: They are e-commerce-proof, the two marketplace options that continue to draw traffic and post upward-trending numbers. Spending at restaurants has grown faster than any other retail category since the recession, according to the Commerce Department, pushing dining dollars past grocery dollars for the first time.  

Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th is opening three stores on Sept. 1, two north of the border.   The retailer is set to open its first-ever locations in Canada’s Alberta province, a 31,900-sq.-ft. store at South Edmonton Common, Edmonton, and a 30,000-sq.-ft. store at CrossIron Mills, Rocky View.   In addition, the off-pricer is opening a 23,000-sq.-ft. store at El Paseo Square, Palm Desert, California, also on Sept. 1.    

Amazon.com is going to give select employees the chance to work a shorter week for reduced pay — but with full benefits.  

Amazon Books has confirmed plans for its fourth physical location.   The retailer will open a store in Chicago, in the city’s Lakeview neighborhood, Crain’s Chicago Business reported. The 7,200-sq.-ft. location will be on the site of what was formerly a bar and grill.   "We're excited to be coming to Chicago," an Amazon spokesperson said in the report.   

On the heels of the biggest deal in its history, Canada’s Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. has entered into yet another deal to expand its U.S. footprint.   The retailer has signed an agreement to buy 53 stores in Louisiana, primarily in the Baton Rouge market, from American General Investments and North American Financial Group for an undisclosed price.