Events

New York -- Uniqlo on Friday will open its largest mall store in the world, in Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus, N.J. The two-level, 43,000-sq.-ft. store will serve as the prototype for the Japanese retailer¹s U.S. mall expansion.

The new Uniqlo replaces an Old Navy store and has its own separate entrance to the parking lot as well as a traditional mall entrance. A large LCD monitor display at the mall entrance will feature special interactive games and other content to engage shoppers.

Each year, since the “big recession,” retailers have been putting out their holiday decorations and starting their promotional sales as early as mid-October. It used to be that Black Friday was the kick-off that got everyone out to the stores in search of that must-have discounted gift for their loved ones. This year, however, the calendar barely hit September and I saw Christmas trees on display at my local Costco and retailers announcing their layaway program incentives.

KIRKWOOD, Mo. — Supervalu banner Shop 'n Save has launched a program to combat hunger.

DALLAS — Neiman Marcus is looking to build on its Cusp brand with the help of a fashion blogger. The company has launched a contest to find the perfect blogger that embodies the Cusp sensibility.

Neiman Marcus first launched the Cusp brand in 2006 with two freestanding stores that offered customers a contemporary assortment including apparel, shoes, handbags and accessories in a boutique environment.  The brand has grown over time to include a total of six Cusp stores, Cusp.com and integration into the forty-two Neiman Marcus stores.

LOS ANGELES — Nestle, through its Abuelita hot chocolate and Nescafe Cafe de Olla instant coffe, is enocuraging Latinas to celebrate Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.

Dallas -- Neiman Marcus has launched a contest to find the perfect blogger that embodies the sensibility of its Cusp brand.

Neiman Marcus launched the Cusp brand in 2006 with two freestanding stores that offered customers a contemporary assortment of apparel and accessories. The brand has grown over time to include a total of six Cusp stores, Cusp.com and integration into the 42 Neiman Marcus stores.

ORRVILLE, Ohio — Smuckers brand Uncrustables has teamed up with Olympic Gold Medal Figure Skater, Kristi Yamaguchi, for the Unstoppable Family Photo Contest. The winner will receive $15,000 check toward an unstoppable family adventure and a year's supply of Uncrustables sandwiches.

From now through Nov. 1, parents can go to www.uncrustables.com to submit a photo showing where their families enjoy Smucker's Uncrustables sandwiches in their unstoppable family adventures with a brief caption.

QUINCY, Mass. — Stop & Shop customers and associates helped abate hunger by donating nearly $400,000 through the company’s first ever Healthy Ideas Food for Friends program. As part of the company’s hunger relief efforts, Stop & Shop will donate 100% of the funds to regional hunger relief agencies across the Northeast.

Talk about an uphill battle. Walmart is trying to educate shoppers about eating healthy on a limited budget and the importance of understanding unit prices when evaluating purchase decisions.

By Kevin Kulinowski, Robert Grosskopf and Rick Edwards, Gordon Brothers Group

The defining paradox of our industry is that closing stores has become a trademark of successful retail companies. Certainly healthy retailers are opening new stores; but shuttering locations has become the norm as well and, in most instances, is equally indicative of positive growth.