Events

By Craig Johnson, [email protected]

Stratham, N.H. -- Timberland announced it will open a store in the Calhoun Square shopping district of Minneapolis on Nov. 18.

Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based Taubman Centers has unveiled a comprehensive holiday program for its Mall at Short Hills, in Short Hills, N.J.

From now through the end of the 2011 holiday season, the mall – which features Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and 160 retailers – is showcasing the season with such offerings as an Ice Palace, a free, multi-sensory exhibit with falling snow, interactive elements, footage of arctic animals and landscapes, an Ice Princess and a visit to Santa Claus.

New York City -- The International Council of Shopping Centers said Wednesday it has created a social media application by Mobile Fridge, allowing users to view ICSC events and trends via smartphone.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation said it welcomed a proposal unveiled by House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp, R-Mich., to reform the nation’s corporate tax structure.

New York City -- Starbucks Coffee Co. celebrated the opening of its 500th location in China. The store is located at the international departure hall of the Beijing Capital International Airport Terminal 3.

“The opening of our 500th store in China is a significant milestone in our ambitious growth plans to serve our customers through 1,500 stores by 2015,” said Belinda Wong, president, Starbucks China.
 

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation announced that it has asked the Commerce Department to delay implementation of a controversial plan to vastly expand Internet domain names, saying retailers and other businesses need more information before moving forward.

WAYNE, N.J. — The Toys"R"Us Children's Fund announced it will award $1 million in grants to 54 nonprofit organizations supporting children in the state of New Jersey. The grants will be distributed to the selected charities by Dec. 31 through the Fund's statewide giving initiative, which launched in March. According to the company, the grants will help to alleviate economic challenges and sustain organizations that favorably impact children across New Jersey, where both the Fund and Toys"R"Us Inc. are headquartered.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that it has donated $5 million to the Smithsonian Institution to support the construction of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) in Washington, D.C.

The NMAAHC was established in 2003 by Congress, making it the 19th Smithsonian Institution museum. It will be the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African-American life, art, history and culture.

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us will again give its loyalty rewards members 10% back on holiday purchases.

The offer, whereby members of the chain’s rewards club get 10% back in “R Us” dollars for each dollar spent on qualifying purchases, is available from Oct. 30 through Christmas Eve. The promotional dollars will be sent to customers via email in January and can be used on future in-store purchases.