Displays & Signs

The willingness of discount-store shoppers to pay a premium for products with a celebrity connection will be put to the test next week when the new line of William Rast apparel hits Target stores. The line includes premium denim, leather and outerwear items with prices beginning at $16.99 and extending all the way to the department store territory of $199.99. The limited duration merchandising initiative is due to hit stores on Dec.19 and runs through Jan. 22.

Making your NRF Show plans? Don’t forget to allow yourself time to check out the Big Apple’s exciting retail scene. Here’ s a quick hit list of the city’s newest retail stars:

WAYNE, N.J. - Toys“R”Us reported that net sales for the third quarter were $2.7 billion, an increase of 1.9% compared with prior year, due to new locations including Toys“R”Us Express stores as well as comparable-store net sales growth of 2.3% in the domestic segment and a foreign currency translation benefit of $17 million. These increases were partially offset by a decline of 2.9% in comparable-store net sales in the international segment.

NEW YORK - Pop music phenomenon Justin Bieber has launched a new line of headphones called "Justbeats by Dr. Dre" exclusively at Best Buy stores in the United States and on BestBuy.com. According to Best Buy the headphones come in Bieber's favorite purple color and are priced at SRP $199.95 for the Justbeats by Dr. Dre Solo Headphone and SRP $119.95 for the iBeats by Dr. Dre Justbeats Edition. Both versions feature ControlTalk, a technology which lets users answer a phone call while listening to music.

The Woodlands, Texas -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space in The Woodlands, Texas, at Indian Springs Center to European Wax Center.

Specializing in facial and body waxing, European Wax Center has leased 2,528 sq. ft., bringing the center to 99% leased. The tenant is slated to open for business in February 2011.

The 136,624-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by H.E.B. alongside national retailers such as Subway, Edible Arrangements, Massage Envy and Supercuts.

Somerset, N.J. -- Philips Lighting Wednesday announced that Macy's has selected its custom-designed Philips EnduraLED solid-state LED lamp as part of the nationwide program to retrofit 117,000 halogen-based accent lighting in 86 of its U.S. stores.

By Steve Williams,[email protected]