Events

NEW YORK — Simon Kneen, creative director and EVP design for Banana Republic has been awarded a Doctor of Arts honoris causa from Kingston University in London, United Kingdom. A Kingston University graduate, Kneen was nominated and awarded for his 30-year commitment and success in the fashion and design industry. 

New York -- Macy’s and J.C. Penney are slated to be back in New York state court on Monday unless a last-minute settlement regarding Macy’s right – or not – to sell certain Martha Stewart products is reached.

The two retailers are coming out of a month-long mediation stint, but so far no settlement has been reached.

According to a Monday report by Reuters, witness are scheduled to be on the stand Monday and Tuesday, including J.C. Penney marketing executives.  

Washington, D.C. -- A report on Friday by the Labor Department showed that retail employment declined by 24,000 in March, the biggest slide since February 2012. The largest hiring slump occurred among clothing and accessories stores, which dropped 15,000, followed by a 10,000 decrease among building-material and garden suppliers.
 
Retailers have been slow to hire largely because of the concern over the 2% increase in payroll taxes and how the bump is impacting consumer spending.

NEW YORK — Macy's has announced the launch of its American Icons campaign, a cross-country tribute to the beloved traditions, people and landscapes of America. Macy's American Icons will officially kick-off in mid-May and extend through July. 

Walmart’s chief merchant and chief marketing officers are headliners at an upcoming conference organized by the Center for Retailing Excellence within the University of Arkansas’ Sam M. Walton College of business.

Henderson, Nev. -- One of Southern Nevada’s largest shopping centers is set to undergo a $7 million renovation, its largest since it opened in 1996. According to mall owner, Cleveland-based Forest City Enterprises, construction is scheduled to begin early April and is slated for completion in the fall.

Boutique Talulah will join H&M in the newly renovated mall. Bath & Body Works and Express stores will relocate to new locations inside the center.

Fairway, a popular New York metro area supermarket, announced in a regulatory filing that it is going public. The company said it expects its stock to price in the range of $10 to $12 per share as it looked to raise as much as $164 million.

Fairway operates 12 locations in the greater New York City metro area and in on track to open a store this summer in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood and one in Nanuet, N.Y, in the fall. 

New York -- Gander Mountain will open Gander Mtn. Firearms Super Center in Rogers, Minn., in late April. It will be the company's 12th store in the state, but its first dedicated to firearms.

Gander Mtn. Firearms Super Center will buy and sell a huge selection of used firearms and is staffed by firearms specialists on duty to give shoppers more one-on-one service.