Saks Fifth Avenue

Seattle -- Amazon.com on Monday announced it has agreed to buy Kiva Systems Inc. for $775 million in cash. Kiva is a manufacturer of automation technology for fulfillment centers, and is best known for its mobile- robotic technology and sophisticated control software.

Kansas City, Kan. – OTB Destination announced that the area’s first White House | Black Market Outlet boutique will open at Legends Outlets Kansas City in May 2012.

The women’s retailer will offer a collection designed specifically for the outlet boutique, while offering a select assortment of product from their full-price boutiques as well. The White House Black Market Outlet boutique will occupy an overall square footage of 2,955 next to Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th.

NEW YORK — Even the most fashionable women like to dress down on occasion, and Saks Fifth Avenue has answered the call by expanding its proprietary offerings into casual wear. The retailer has announced the launch of 9|15, which the company says incorporates runway-centric style to the adventurous and ambitious woman. The line’s debut follows the 2011 launch of the Saks Fifth Avenue Collection, and will be featured in the "Wear Now" area of Saks stores around the country.

New York City -- Saks Fifth Avenue said Friday that, during February, it will give 5% of all registered purchases made with a Saks Fifth Avenue credit card back to local charities.

Saks Fifth Avenue has partnered with 194 charitable organizations nationwide.

“We appreciate our customers’ charitable involvement and look forward to giving back locally with this exciting and newly implemented national program,” said Steve Sadove, chairman and CEO, Saks Inc.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Town Center at Boca Raton, in Boca Raton, Fla., will celebrate the expansion and relocation of Forever 21 to its soon-to-be-completed Cafes at Boca. The 19,000-sq.-ft. upgraded store will offer upgrades and added offerings.

“With the relocation of our store at Town Center at Boca Raton, we are able to accommodate more brands and new concepts,” said Larry Meyer, Forever 21 executive VP.

Parsippany, N.J. -- Cornell-Mayo Associates said Monday that Saks Fifth Avenue is piloting its Omniexpress mobile POS application for the iPod at two Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th stores.

The pilot is underway at stores in Woodbury Commons, N.Y. and Bergen, N.J., with four iPods in each store. Saks plans to pilot the Omniexpress mobile POS application for the iPod in its Saks Fifth Avenue stores later this month as well as begin the rollout to additional Off 5th and Saks Fifth Avenue stores in spring 2012.

NEW YORK — Although online sales grew 15% from 2010 to 2011, many retailers' online ordering, shipping and returns processes failed to keep pace, according to management consultancy Kurt Salmon's rankings of 50 retailers.

Woodstock, Ga. -- Chattanooga, Tenn.-based CBL & Associates Properties and Norton Shores, Mich.-based Horizon Group Properties announced a 75/25 joint venture to develop The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta in Atlanta (Woodstock), Ga.

New York City -- Although online sales grew 15% from 2010 to 2011, many retailers' online ordering, shipping and returns processes failed to keep pace, according to management consultancy Kurt Salmon's rankings of 50 retailers.

Columbus, Ohio -- Express has announced changes to its board of directors. Michael Archbold, president and COO of Vitamin Shoppe, has been appointed to the board as a class I director, effective Jan. 3.

Archbold joined Vitamin Shoppe in 2007 as CFO and COO. He was promoted to president in 2011. Previously, he was executive VP, CFO and chief administrative officer of Saks Fifth Avenue.