Strategy

Walmart is partnering with Chinese e-commerce powerhouse Alibaba to allow customers to make purchases using mobile devices in 25 of its stores in southern China.

New York -- The founder and ousted CEO of American Apparel, Dov Charney, is suing the company and its chairwoman Coleen Brown for a minimum of $20 million in damages, accusing them of defamation and mental and emotional distress.

Many of the allegations revolve around a letter Brown wrote to American Apparel employees in which she claimed that Charney had agreed in writing to never return in any capacity to the company. According to the lawsuit, Charney never signed any agreement.

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney Co. topped analysts estimates for the first quarter, reporting a smaller-than-expected loss. Declaring its intent to become the “preferred shopping choice for middle America” and gain back market share, the company also raised its outlook for the year.

Penney posted a loss of $167 million in the quarter ended May 2, compared with a net loss of $352 million in the year-ago period.

Lebanon, Tenn. - Cracker Barrel Old Country Store will roll out the QSR Partners DineTime solution at all locations nationwide, with plans to complete the installment by the end of summer 2015. DineTime offers features such as wait list management, online reservations, customer data collection, a mobile customer app and more.

Washington, D.C. – The National Retail Federation (NRF) is publicly criticizing the Senate for blocking consideration of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act, which would renew Trade Promotion Authority. Trade Promotion Authority is legislation from Congress outlining objectives and oversight for trade negotiations between the U.S. and other countries.

Atlanta - Havertys has promoted Tim Simpson to assistant VP, IT development. He started with the company in 2005 as senior java developer, in 2008 was serving as senior team manager, and since 2011 as director of development.  

Cult favorite grocery chain Wegman's is coming to New York City, with plasn to build a massive store in Brooklyn.

Greensboro, N.C. -- Tanger Factory Outlets is enhancing the grand opening events of its new centers with social media.  The company is blending the traditional shopping experience with the excitement of social interaction though three social media activations, or pop-ups.