Events

Irving, Texas – The Michaels Companies Inc. has launched online arts and crafts classes taught by instructors and industry experts through an exclusive partnership with Creativebug, a subscription-based provider of online DIY instruction. Accessible anytime, anywhere, the video classes provide the novice crafter with basic techniques, such as beginning calligraphy and paper crafting, while also teaching more advanced skills and projects.

New York -- Visa Inc., Pizza Hut and Accenture have teamed up to develop a connected car to test mobile and online purchases on the go. The connected car is expected to feature Visa Checkout (Visa’s online payment service), cellular connectivity, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and Beacon technology deployed at Pizza Hut restaurants to alert staff when the customer has arrived and is ready to pick up the order. Accenture is managing the integration of the technologies.

New York -- One of the most buzzed-about retailers in the country, Nadia Shouraboura, will present her singular vision of retailing in a digital age at Chain Store Age’s 51st annual SPECS Conference, March 15-17, 2015, at Sands Expo at the Venetial/Palazzo Hotel, Las Vegas.

Dublin, Calif. -- dd’s Discounts, a division of Ross Stores, Inc., will open a new store in Oxnard, California. The opening date is scheduled for Feb. 28.

The new store is located in Fremont Square along North Ventura Road and Doris Avenue in North Oxnard.

California is the retailer’s largest state with a total of 68 stores.  Including this new location, dd’s Discounts will operate 156 locations in 15 states.
 

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores is aiming to attract more families with a new corporate giving campaign.

The fabric and craft specialty retailer announced that Boys & Girls Clubs of America will be a major recipient of Jo-Ann corporate giving in 2015. To help inspire young minds, customers will be able to purchase a “pin-up” upon checkout to benefit the organization from March 1 through April 4 at all Jo-Ann stores nationwide.

Las Vegas -- A giant “starburst ” a 14-ft.-diameter structure composed of 911 custom-cut Swarovski crystal spheres that put on a dazzling show at midnight, is the sparkling centerpiece of Las Vegas’ newest retail destination, Grand Bazaar Shops. The starburst, was created for — and towers above—the outdoor center’s new Swarovski store, whose exterior is composed of dozens of large, angular facets designed to make it resemble a cut crystal.

Kohl’s is sponsoring a Milwaukee-area school grant program for the third year in a row.   The Kohl’s Cares Field Trip Grant Program gives more than $1 million in funding to schools throughout the metro-Milwaukee area.