Mattel, Inc.

WAYNE, N.J. — When Tom Hanks danced across FAO Schwarz's giant piano in the movie "Big," it established the store's iconic status. Now celebrating its 150th anniversary, FAO Schwarz honor its legacy with in-store events, commemorative product offerings, a showcase of brand archives and an enhanced website that together will present the brand’s storied history.

LOS ANGELES — Kohl's has signed on as the exclusive retail partner of "¡Q’viva! The Chosen," a documentary celebrating Latin culture, music, and dance is making its Spanish-language U.S. debut January 28, 2012 on Univision and will also air on leading networks throughout the Americas, according to a press statement released by Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Jamie King, Simon Fuller and XIX Entertainment.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Mattel has announced that Robert A. Eckert, 57, will retire as CEO, after 11 years with the company, effective Dec. 31. The board of directors has named Bryan G. Stockton, 58, who has held the position of chief operating officer for the last year, to succeed Eckert as CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2012. Eckert has agreed to continue in his role as chairman of the board, and the board has elected Stockton as a member of the board, effective January 1, 2012.

Middleton, Wis. -- American Girl, a division of Mattel, will open a store at Chesterfield Mall, in the St. Louis suburb of Chesterfield, Mo.

The 10,850-sq-.ft. American Girl store is slated to open in spring 2012.

September may seem a bit early to put out a holiday toy list, considering most consumers just finished spending for back-to-school and still have Halloween to think about, but garnering media attention is important. Many retailers who have a hand in toy retailing will put out some sort of toy list, and Walmart is among them. However if it continues the trend of last year, Walmart won't release its list until early November, which is more in line with when consumers begin thinking about holiday shopping.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. and WAYNE, N.J. — While most consumers have barely started making Halloween plans, the retail industry is looking ahead to the holiday season and predicting what they think will be the most popular toys this year.

Toys“R”Us and Kmart both announced their top toy lists for the holiday season detailed below:

Toys"R"Us

1. Air Hogs Hyper Actives from Spin Master

2. Air Swimmers eXtreme from Animal Planet

NEW YORK – Holiday music playing throughout Toys “R” Us’ flagship store in New York City’s Times Square helped set the stage for chairman and CEO Jerry Storch’s take on what’s to come this season.

Chicago -- Englewood Construction, announced it has completed construction on five retail projects in the Chicago and Washington, D.C., regions.

In the Chicago area, the firm finished construction of a 21,654-sq.-ft. Hhgregg store in Joliet, a 33,115–sq.–ft. Sears outlet in Naperville and a Mrs. Fields/TCBY Yogurt at Westfield Old Orchard shopping center in Skokie.