Trading Partners

The National Retail Federation has formed a new entity to enhance the strategic value of NRF and the e-commerce, mobile and innovative initiatives that exist within the retail industry.

The members-only Digital Council, powered by NRF’s Shop.org digital division, will support and promote collaboration on digital retail trends and strategies, the development of original research, and educational events and advocacy opportunities in Washington, D.C.

The National Retail Federation has formed a Digital Council to focus on the e-commerce, mobile and innovative initiatives that exist within the retail industry today.

The members-only council, powered by NRF’s Shop.org digital division, will support and promote collaboration in efforts like the exchange of information on digital retail trends and strategies, the development of original research, and educational events and advocacy opportunities in Washington, D.C.

St. Petersburg, Fla. -- The Sembler Company and Forge Capital Partners announced the purchase of Disston Plaza in St. Petersburg, Florida, which will be added to Forge Real Estate Partners III investment fund. The 123,000 sq. ft. shopping center is currently 98% occupied and is anchored by Publix and also includes Bealls Outlet and Dollar Tree.

eBay is turning to the former chief executive of a major specialty retailer to help provide its board of directors some guidance.

Paul Pressler, who served as president and CEO of Gap Inc. from 2002-2007, has been named to eBay’s board and will serve on the Audit Committee as well as the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee.

Costco Wholesale Corp. is getting down to business on processing payments from small-to-mid-sized business (SMB) customers.

The wholesale chain is extending an existing relationship with payment processing solutions provider Elavon aimed at improving service and security for SMB members.

The payment processing program for Costco’s SMB members includes POS, mobile and e-commerce solutions, all of which adhere to EMV and PCI compliance requirements. Costco members can obtain program services online and in-store.

In the two months since the Department of Labor announced its proposed new overtime standards, much has been written about what it may mean for employers both big and small.

For business operators, the ramifications are still being assessed and significant impacts will be felt not only in labor costs but also in how their businesses will operate moving forward. There’s a larger and more important effort underway, however, and the overtime regulations are just one piece of the puzzle.

Columbia, S.C. -- Industry veterans Terry Brown, Jason Tompkins, and Sam Judd last month launched Asana Partners, a retail real estate investment company headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina.

Drawing from the team's deep operational and investment background in retail real estate, including more than $15 billion in transaction activity over the last 15 years, the company will acquire, own, and operate retail properties in dynamic markets across the United States.

The two biggest specialty pet retailers in the U.S. may merge. According to Reuters, Petco Holdings Inc. is considering a possible acquisition from chief rival PetSmart Inc.