Events

Overstock and Bret Michaels want to rock Mom’s world
Moms who liked rocking out to Poison in the 1980s will love Overstock.com’s new promotion.

The retailer will be hosting a new Mother’s Day sweepstakes in which one lucky winner and one guest will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Phoenix, Ariz. to enjoy three days and two nights at a luxurious hotel and spa. There, they will be treated to a spa pampering package before a car whisks them off to join Poison singer Bret Michaels at his home for dinner. Overstock.com and Michaels created the sweepstakes to say thanks to all mothers and honor them on their special day.
The North Face goes omnichannel for Earth Day
The North Face is celebrating Earth Day by expanding its Clothes the Loop omnichannel initiative, with the goal of recycling more than 100,000 pounds of apparel and footwear this year.

The retailer plans to expand its Clothes The Loop recycling program to all of its retail and outlet stores in the U.S. in tandem with an in-store and social media campaign to encourage consumers to recycle unwanted apparel and footwear from any brand in any condition.

Boston Marathon RunBase, Boston
CBL Properties, Horizon Group expand Outlet Shoppes of Atlanta

Chattanooga, Tenn. - CBL & Associates Properties Inc. and Horizon Group Properties Inc. have begun construction on the second phase of The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta. The 33,000-sq.-ft. expansion is scheduled to open before the 2015 holiday season and will bring several popular retailers to the center, including Gap Outlet and Banana Republic.
Simon’s Shisui Premium Outlets expands by 62 stores

Indianapolis - In partnership with Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd., Simon has opened the expansion of the Shisui Premium Outlets located outside Tokyo. Shisui Premium Outlets initially opened in April 2013.

This first phase of the project opened 100% leased with 121 stores featuring a mix of international brands, Japanese brands and restaurants. The second phase, opening April 17, adds 62 new stores, including four restaurants, bringing the total store count to 183. The expansion adds 136,000-sq.-ft. of stores, bringing the total project to 375,000-sq.-ft.
NRF, Gap support Trade Promotion Authority

Washington, D.C. – The National Retail Federation (NRF) and Gap Inc. are both asking Congress to approve legislation that would reauthorize Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), saying such authority is critical to advancing free trade agreements.
Sam’s plays hardball with Texas football fans

Texans love their football so what better way to drive traffic at the opening of a new Sam’s Club in Austin than enlisting some of the game’s biggest legends and rising stars.

Sam’s opened a new club in Austin on April 16 and to turn up the heat in a market accustomed to warehouse club shopping the retailer drafted notable players to appeal to fans of every generation.
Office Depot, Walmart named top companies for women

Office Depot, along with Walmart, Target and CVS Health, have been named as top companies for women, according to the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).
Target opens Lily Pulitzer pop-up; line to drop Sunday in stores

New York - Target Corp. on Thursday opened a pop-up shop at Bryant Park in mid-t0wn Manhattan selling what many experts say will be one of its most popular designer collaborations to date: A 250-piece Lilly Pulitzer for Target collection. According to reports, 500 to 600 people were waiting in line at 8 a.m. when the temporary store opened.
Toys “R” Us makes big difference for Special Olympics

When the Special Olympics get underway in late July in Los Angeles, a major awareness effort and hefty donation from Toys “R” Us will make a powerful contribution.

The retailer spent the past two months executing a broad-based campaign in stores and online to benefit the Special Olympics, which raised more than $4 million as well as awareness of an event in which roughly 7,000 athletes will participate.
RILA introduces tool to measure retail sustainability practices

Arlington, Va. – The Retail Industry Leaders Association has released the 2015 Retail Sustainability Management Maturity Matrix, a tool for retail sustainability executives to identify possible pathways to strong environmental sustainability programs. The Matrix, co-developed by RILA and Deloitte Consulting LLP, represents the collective knowledge of many industry experts as to leading sustainability management practices.
NRF supports data breach legislation

Washington, D.C. – The National Retail Federation (NRF) is publicly supporting the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s consideration of the Data Security and Breach Notification Act. In a public statement, Mallory Duncan, senior VP and general counsel NRF, said strong tools are needed to combat criminal breaches.