Events

Sears is launching a new program designed to give its loyal shoppers the best shot at holiday promotions.    Members of the chain’s Shop Your Way loyalty program will get a jump on their holiday shopping during this weekend’s “Sears Days Lowest Prices of the Season Member Bonus Event.” However, there is always a chance these items could be further discounted as the holiday season ramps up.   

In what could be a prelude to a retail strategy, Google is doing up a pop-up in the Big Apple.     The temporary outpost, called "Made by Google,” will open in downtown Manhattan, at 96 Spring Street, on Oct. 20, according to a notice on the search giant's website. It’s the same day that Google’s new smartphones, the Pixel and Pixel XL, go on sale nationwide.    

The North Face is trying on a new store format.   The retailer has opened a pop-up in San Francisco aimed at the city explorer.   The temporary store, in the city’s Jackson Square neighborhood, will focus exclusively on the brand’s premium streetwear merchandise. (A similar space will be featured in the retailer’s new flagship, scheduled to open on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue in late October.)  

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) is merging its sustainability-focused conference with Sustainable Brands.     Beginning in 2017, the two will produce a single conference together than includes a retail-specific program track, in addition to Sustainable Brands’ usual program, which covers sustainability-led brand innovation across multiple consumer-facing industries.  

In a bold stand, Mall of America will be closed on turkey day this year.     The mall, located in Bloomington, Minnesota, has been open for business on the holiday for the past four years. The 5.6 million-sq.-ft. mall has more than 520 stores and restaurants, and a number of attractions.      “In years past we’ve all rallied together to answer the call for 24/7 shopper access that the Thanksgiving/Black Friday weekend brings.”   

A “Rally at the Rack” party is planned for Oct. 6 in downtown New Orleans for the opening of Nordstrom Rack’s store at The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk.   Nordstrom Rack will anchor the south side of the center, which owner Howard Hughes Corporation bills as the nation’s first downtown outlet location. Among the 75-or-so retail brands already doing business there are Guess Factory Store, Kay Jewelers Outlet, Neiman Marcus Last Call Studio, Reebok Outlet Store, and Wilson’s Leather.  

It's hard to find a brand more excited about the first day of fall than UGG.   Ready to kick off its favorite season in style, UGG is launching a custom, fall-themed Snapchat lens. The lens, which will be available until midnight tonight, is part of the company’s digital campaign, #UGGseason. UGG fans can log onto Twitter and post their favorite looks, memes and comments, including those created through Snapchat.  

Macy's is revving up its beauty offerings with at-home beauty and treatment services.   The department store retailer is partnering with beGlammed, an on-demand beauty service that delivers hair and makeup to the customer’s front door. The deal will utilize beGlammed’s network of more than 1,200 stylists in 22 U.S. markets. Customers will be able to book a variety of beGlammed services, from a touch-up to bridal makeup, on macys.com/beglammed.com.  Prices will range from $25.00 to $185.00.  

It’s no trick: Halloween spending is at an all-time high.   As Americans continue to splurge on their favorite candy and costumes in preparation for the upcoming Halloween season, the National Retail Federation’s annual survey reported that spending is expected to reach $8.4 billion — the highest level in the study’s history.  

The CEO of Jordan’s Furniture wants folks to watch the upcoming presidential debate, which is scheduled for Sept. 26 from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. EST.