Corporate Governance

AmEx to debut multi-brand customer loyalty program
Los Angeles -- American Express is preparing to launch a customer loyalty program in the U.S. that will enable shoppers at select retailers to rack up points that they can use toward future purchases at Macy's, Exxon Mobil, AT&T and other participating companies.

The free program, set to debut in May, is dubbed Plenti and will also include Nationwide, Rite Aid, Direct Energy and Hulu, American Express said Wednesday.
Meijer to debut its first Skechers Concept Shop
Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Meijer will up its fashion game with the spring launch of a Skechers concept shop inside the Knapp's Corner Meijer, Michigan, about one year after the retailer unveiled a fresh approach to lure grocery customers across the center aisle to its apparel offerings.

"Our customers have realized just how serious we are about providing on-trend fashion items at the right price," said Peter Whitsett, executive VP of merchandising and marketing for the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based supercenter.

DSW to open 19 stores in spring 2015

Columbus, Ohio -- On the heels of its announcement that it would open 35 stores in 2015, footwear retailer DSW said Wednesday that 19 of those store openings would occur this spring.

The locations will be nationwide, including 12 new markets.

"We are pleased to grow our footprint in cities DSW already calls home, while also expanding to new areas of the country. Opening 19 stores this season and more throughout 2015 is absolutely thrilling for our brand,” said Carrie McDermott, executive VP and COO of DSW.
PREIT adds key tenants to premier malls

Philadelphia -- Shopping center owner PREIT said that it will add several key – and some first-to-market – tenants to several of its upscale malls.

At Cherry Hill (New Jersey) Mall, new tenants include lululemon athletica, Tumi, and e.l.f. studio; Primark will open in 2016 at Willow Grove (Pennsylvania) Park; and Garage will open at Woodland Mall, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
DJM to dispose of seven RadioShack industrial properties

Woodbury, N.Y. -- DJM Real Estate, a division of Gordon Brothers Group, has been retained by RadioShack Corporation to handle the disposition of seven owned industrial properties. These properties are located in Texas, California, Iowa and North Carolina.

DJM will be offering the properties for immediate sale, and can be purchased individually or in any combination, subject to U.S. Bankruptcy Court approval.
Whole Foods aims for the 'Sephora experience'

Whole Foods Market is trying to increase its share of the explosive growth in the beauty industry by hosting its first ever “Beauty Week.”
Traffic woes hurt J. Crew in Q4

A shift toward online sales is one reason why J. Crew Group Inc. says it lost $30.6 million in the fourth quarter.

The retailer has been dealing with traffic problems at its namesake stores as more of its customers migrate to the J. Crew website, the company says.
Meijer gets trendy with Skechers concept

Meijer is upping its game when it comes to trendy fashion with a spring launch of a Skechers concept shop.

The Skechers shop is opening inside the Knapp's Corner Meijer in Michigan, roughly one year after the retailer unveiled a fresh approach to lure grocery customers across the center aisle to its apparel offerings.
CVS announces $5M grant winners

The CVS Health Foundation is backing up its promise to make a $5 million commitment to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids by announcing the first four winners of grants.
NRF: Data breach law must be comprehensive

The National Retail Federation testified before Congress Wednesday on the need to pass a federal data breach notification law that applies to all entities that handle sensitive customer data.
Walmart to address shareholders on June 5

Amid a fast-changing industry in which retailers seek to harmonize their online and physical stores, the largest retailer in the world has announced the date of its annual shareholders meeting.

Wal-Mart Stores announced the meeting will be held on June 5 at 7 a.m. CDT in the Bud Walton Arena at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark.

The meeting will be webcast on the company’s website at http://stock.walmart.com./ The company also announced that April 10 is the record date for that meeting.
Target offers a more shopper-friendly return policy

Target has been hit with a slew of negative reports recently, and now the retailer is trying to do something positive for its image by making its return policy more shopper-friendly.

Target Corp. announced an enhanced return policy Wednesday covering all of the retailer’s 32 owned and exclusive brands, which extends the return window to one year from the date of purchase. The retailer also rolled out a one-year return guarantee for guests using Target’s baby, college or wedding gift registry.