Events

Washington, D.C. -- Retail sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) will increase 4.1% in 2015, up from 3.5% in 2014, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2015 economic forecast. The increase would mark the biggest annual growth since 2011 when retail sales for the year increased 5.1%. Non-store sales in 2015 are expected to grow between 7% and 10%.

The sweet smell of barbeque will be in the air of central Florida later this month when Sam’s Club kicks of its fifth annual National BBQ Tour with prizes totaling $500,000 and participation from 700 teams.

Philadelphia -- X Team International announced that partner MSC Retail has completed a lease transaction with Rascals Fitness in Collegeville, Pennsylvania.

Rascals Fitness will open a 12,183-sq.-ft. facility in Collegeville Plaza at the intersection of Main Street and 2nd Avenue. “We’re excited to have helped complete the lease for Rascals Fitness on their third location in Pennsylvania,” said Michael Salove, president and CEO of MSC Retail.

Editor Katherine Boccaccio interviews Buxton's Senior Vice Preseident, Bill Stinneford, at NRF's Big Show 2015.

New York -- This special report from Chain Store Age offers a recap of the issues and trends that surfaced at the NRF’s 2015 Annual Convention & Expo (the “Big Show”).

Download the report here and read about retailing’s global outlook, the outlook for online spending, the changing luxury market, hot technology trends and more.

Indianapolis - The Finish Line Inc. is running an omnichannel promotion linked to the upcoming pro basketball all-star weekend in New York City. Finish Line collaborated with Under Armour, pro basketball star Stephen Curry and several key influencers within the basketball marketplace to host a contest surrounding the new Curry 1 product launch on Feb. 13.

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney Co. said it plans to expand its in-store Disney shop concept, currently featured in 565 stores, to an additional 116 stores this year. The retailer also announced a collaboration with the upcoming Disney live-action "Cinderella" movie, including the sale of apparel, dolls and a "deluxe" ball gown with "make-believe 'glass'" slippers based on the costume in the movie.

Niles, Ohio -- Major changes are in store for the retail lineup at the Eastwood Mall Complex, a Cafaro Company shopping center in Niles, Ohio. H&M will open a new 20,000-sq.-ft. store on center court by early fall. Everything Buckeyes, which currently occupies that space, will move to its new location in the Sears Concourse, reopening in mid-March.