Events

New York -- Network with peers from leading retail and restaurant companies at SPECS, the industry’s premier store development and facilities event.

Produced by Chain Store Age, the 49th annual SPECS conference will be held March 17-20, at the Hilton Anatole Hotel, Dallas. 

Click here to register. 

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Birds Eye, a brand of Pinnacle Foods, was invited to share its successful strategy for getting youth to eat their vegetables at the Partnership for a Healthier America's (PHA) 2013 Building a Healthier Future Summit this week, at a time when childhood obesity experts are looking for new approaches and new options to tackle this complex issue.

AUSTIN, Texas — Online coupons site RetailMeNot.com has launched a new online magazine, The Real Deal by RetailMeNot. As the editorial voice of RetailMeNot.com, the lifestyle daily delivers shopping, fashion, beauty, parenting, personal finance and seasonal advice to help consumers get more for their money, so they can get more for their lives.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Tuesday by the National Retail Federation said that spending for St. Patrick’s Day is expected to grow to $4.7 billion, as celebrants invest an average of $35.27 on green attire, St. Patrick’s Day décor and holiday food and drink.

According to NRF’s St. Patrick’s Day Spending Survey conducted by BIGinsight, 84.2% of consumers will celebrate by wearing green. An additional 23.3% will decorate their home or office, and 34.6% will make a special dinner.

WASHINGTON — A show devoted to snack food is expected to draw suppliers from 22 countries when it kicks off in May, the show's sponsoring organization said.

The 2013 Sweets & Snacks Expo, which will take place May 21-23 at Chicago's McCormick Place, is expected to be the most successful in the event's 16-year history, with a nearly sold-out show floor, according to the National Confectioners Association.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — New Jersey first lady and chairwoman of the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund Mary Pat Christie will visit a Point Pleasant, N.J., Rite Aid store on Friday at 11:30 a.m. with Rite Aid executives to receive money for the fund, Rite Aid said Thursday.

Bridgeview, Ill. -- Rose Paving Company is set to support the efforts of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through a multi-event fundraising campaign in 2013. Rose Paving will host a fundraising activity at industry trade shows and events across the country, giving registered attendees the opportunity to help support St. Jude’s mission to find cures for children with cancer and other deadly diseases through research and treatment.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl's is continuing its partnership with TED, the nonprofit organization that provides a platform for innovative thinkers, with a donation of $1.5 million to continue its education-based opportunities for youth.

CHICAGO — Retail executives are moderating their expectations for 2013 following uneven sales in December and January, according to a new survey of CFOs by professional services form BDO USA.

WASHINGTON -- American Eagle Outfitters has expanded its partnership with the Student Conservation Association to engage students in service to America's national parks.