Events

The intense focus directed on EMV compliance in fall 2015 has faded, but it is still a critical issue for the retail industry.

Away from the spotlight, progress in EMV compliance since the Oct. 1, 2015 mandate passed has moved more slowly than many in the industry may realize. According to a survey of 200 retail professionals conducted during the January 2016 NRF Convention by ACI Worldwide, the majority of respondents are not compliant.

Toys"R"Us is urging shoppers to bring in their recalled and outdated baby items during its annual Great Trade-In event next month at stores nationwide.

The event will take place at Babies"R"Us and Toys"R"Us stores Feb. 1 through Feb. 29. And, new this year, the company's Rewards"R"Us loyalty members can take advantage of early access to the in-store event beginning Jan. 29, by showing their Rewards"R"Us card during checkout.

Toys "R" Us is urging shoppers to bring in their recalled and outdated baby items during its annual Great Trade-In event next month at stores nationwide.

The event will take place at Babies "R" Us and Toys "R" Us stores Feb. 1 through Feb. 29. And, new this year, the company's Rewards"R"Us loyalty members can take advantage of early access to the in-store event beginning Jan. 29, by showing their Rewards"R"Us card during checkout.

Chain Store Age’s annual SPECS conference is the must-attend event for retail and restaurant executives involved in the design, construction, and maintenance of stores.

Belk is inviting couples engaged to be married to attend an Engagement Party during the month of February in the home department at their local store.

The promotional event will include displays of gift registry/wedding merchandise and feature refreshments, giveaways and drawings for prizes from Belk.

NYX Professional Makeup continues its brick-and-mortar expansion, opening a flagship at Westfield Valley Fair mall in Santa Clara, California.

The store is the first of several NYX locations set to open throughout the year. Upcoming locations include Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek, California, and Willowbrook Mall, Wayne, New Jersey.

The Grocery Manufacturers Association has recognized the CEO of Hy-Vee Inc. with a collaborative leadership award.

Randy Edeker, chairman, CEO and president of Hy-Vee, Inc. was honored ths month with the GMA 2016 Industry Collaboration Leadership Award. Hy-Vee operates 240 stores throughout eight predominantly Midwestern states.

Executives from Sprouts and Albertson’s/Safeway are among the newly appointed board members at the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC).

The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) elected four new board members during its annual January meeting in LaQuinta, Calif. The newly elected directors are:

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) is now accepting applications for its Retail Asset Protection Innovation awards ahead of its annual conference this spring.

A specialty retailer whose tagline is “Where America is made,” is betting on brick and mortar to tell its brand story and provide more jobs.

Shinola, the Detroit-based retailer and manufacturer of pricey watches, leather goods and bicycles plans to open 10 stores this year, and 12 to 15 stores annually over the next coming years.