Events

President Obama in his State of the Union address last night said he plans to sign an executive order increasing the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 per hour for workers on new government contracts and asked Congress to approve the same increase for all workers — and the National Retail Federation is not happy.

NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay issued a response ahead of the president’s address.

In celebration of seven straight years winning "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Home Improvement Retail Stores" in the J.D. Power Home Improvement Retailer Satisfaction Study, Ace Hardware is kicking off its first-ever J.D. Power Award Neighborhood Tour across the country.

1. INSIDE INSIGHTS.

Competitive-edge knowledge of how innovative technology is reshaping the very nature of retailer-customer interaction.

2. REAL IMMERSION.

You'll be head-to-head with leading minds across core retail disciplines to network, share ideas and refine best practices.

3. GO BEHIND THE SCENES.

Tour renowned start-up incubator Plug and Play in Silicon Valley and discover first-hand what's driving the most promising new retail innovation companies in tech.

Portland, Ore. — Cypress Equities, the management company for Lloyd Center, has shared its initial plans for updating the historic shopping center in the Lloyd District adjacent to downtown Portland.

The proposal, which has been submitted to city officials, calls for two entirely new pedestrian entryways designed to provide greater access to the shopping center and to build synergy with the stir of activity along Multnomah Street.

Orlando, Fla. — Ruth’s Chris Steak House has opened a new location in Denver — in the historic Denver Dry Goods Building. The contemporary space spans nearly 10,000 sq. ft. and boasts a grand lounge, three private event rooms, a dining room and a state-of-the-art kitchen anchored by Ruth’s Chris’ signature and proprietary 1,800-degree broiler.

Ruth’s Chris is the largest upscale steak house company in the world, with nearly 140 restaurant locations around the globe.

The beach community locale served as the inspiration for Liverpool's new store in Boca del Rio, Veracruz (Liverpool is Mexico's largest department store chain). The design of the 301,389-sq.ft. store, which took top honors in Chain Store Age's 2014 Retail Store of the Year design competition, utilized the natural surroundings as a reference for the interior's organic shapes, color, textures and patterns, creating a space that balances nature and modernism.

Purchase, N.Y. – MasterCard is unveiling a new omni-channel promotion called “Priceless Surprises.” Consumers who make purchases via any channel, or use #PricelessSurprises on Twitter or Instagram, are eligible to receive random, real-time surprises.

Washington, D.C. — A day after he gives his State of the Union speech, President Obama will follow up Wednesday with visits to a Costco store in Maryland and a steel plant in Pennsylvania, USA Today reported.

During his stop at the Costco in Lanham, which is located about 15 miles from the White House, Obama is expected to deliver remarks on the economy, the report said.

New York -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association elected Richard Dreiling, chairman and CEO of Dollar General, as the new chairman of its board of directors.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as board chairman for RILA and to work with this exceptional group of retail leaders to strengthen our industry,” said Dreiling. “RILA is a critical strategic partner in empowering our industry to speak with one voice to champion issues that affect the retail sector, our workforce and our valued customers.”

Columbia, Md. – A lone 19-year-old gunman killed two employees of a Zumiez store at The Mall of Columbia in Columbia, Md., on the morning of Jan. 26. Media reports indicate that local authorities began receiving 911 calls about the incident at the suburban Baltimore mall at 11:15 a.m. ET.