Events

New Orleans -- Covington, La.-based Stirling Properties said that The Fresh Market will open a new store in New Orleans on July 25, marking the grocery retailer’s fourth store in the state.

“We are excited to open our store in New Orleans and to expand our reach in Louisiana,” said Craig Carlock, Fresh Market president and CEO. “We look forward to introducing The Fresh Market’s concept of quality perishables, excellent customer service and a unique atmosphere to an expanded customer base.”    

Katy, Texas -- Soma Intimates said it will open a new boutique at LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch, located in Katy, Texas.

The new store is slated to open July 23.

A joint venture of Houston-based Vista Equities Group and Denver-based Amstar Group, LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch is a mixed-use town center development located within the 7,600-acre master planned community of Cinco Ranch.

Phase I of LaCenterra opened March 1, 2007 with approximately 170,000 sq. ft.
 

Retailers should brace for strong back-to-school sales according to a National Retail Federation survey that shows a surge in K-through-12 and college spending.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Walmart Canada has invited more than 550 kids and 350 parents to participate in the first-ever Great Big Toy Testing Event. Taking place on July 21, the event gives kids and parents the opportunity to interact with more than 100 toys and will help the retailer determine the top toy list for the 2012 holiday season.

Niles, Ohio -- Youngstown, Ohio-based Cafaro Co. said that The Children’s Place will open a new store in the Dillard’s Concourse of Eastwood Mall, in Niles, Ohio.

The new store is slated to open November 2012 in more than 3,500 sq. ft. of space.  

Washington, D.C. -- A survey released by the National Retail Federation and conducted by BIGInsight found that the average parent will spend $688.62 on back-to-school items this year, compared with $603.63 last year. Total spending is expected to reach $30.3 billion.

NRF cited an increased number of children entering elementary and middle school this fall, as well as necessary back-to-school replenishments after last year’s cutbacks, for the predicted improvements.

PLANO, Texas — JCPenney has enlisted the services of Nina Garcia, a well-known fashion expert to help the company become more of a style destination. Garcia, who serves as fashion director of Marie Claire and as a judge on the fashion reality show, "Project Runway," will serve as the company's resident style voice and fashion collection curator.

New York -- J.C. Penney CEO Ron Johnson said that he is sticking with the chain’s new pricing strategy and that the company’s board of directors was “totally supportive.”

In remarks at Fortune magazine's Brainstorm Tech conference in Aspen, Col., Johnson acknowledged that J.C. Penney initially confused customers when it came to explaining the new pricing strategy.

New York -- A survey released Tuesday by the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman-Sachs found that 42% of U.S. consumers expect to spend more on back-to-school items this year than they did in 2011.

With the back-to-school shopping season already well underway as one-third of households reported that they have begun to shop, ICSC and Goldman-Sachs expect the average household expenditure on all types of back-to-school items will be about $300 this year.

Bridgeview, Ill. -- Rose Paving Co. hosted an open house at its branch office in Norcross, Ga., on June 21. The event  celebrated the company's new office in Norcross and expansion in the Southeast.
 
"Rose Paving's move to Norcross is a direct result of our bold goals to revolutionize parking lot management," said C.B. Kuzlik, senior VP Rose Paving. "We are passionate about the work we do and we are determined to provide the very best service to our valued clients in Atlanta and throughout the Southeast."