Transform SR Brands LLC

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings is now offering its Kmart and Sears customers the option of ship-to-home delivery for items purchased through online layaway.

The new service – also available on store kiosks now enables shoppers to select, purchase and have the items delivered directly to their homes, bypassing the layaway line altogether. Both retailers will begin the exclusive layaway ship-to-home service starting Nov. 7.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. said Wednesday that its namesake and Kmart stores will offer ship-to-home delivery for items purchased through online layaway.

The new service, which comes at a time when many major retailers are amping up shopper-centric programs for the holiday selling season, is also available on store kiosks, said Sears, enabling customers to bypass the layaway line and select, purchase and have items delivered directly to their homes.

Both retailers will launch the service on Nov. 7.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart has designated this Friday as the official start of Halloween shopping with its "Orange and Black Friday" event.

Kmart's "Orange & Black Friday" event features: 50% off Halloween costumes and Halloween kitchen textiles, tabletop, decor, as well as a "Kmart Kreator" tool (www.Kmart.com/kreator), a social tool where users can create their own Halloween "Kreature" using costumes and accessories available at Kmart.

Willow Grove, Pa. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said Monday that Soma Intimates recently opened at Willow Grove Park, in Willow Grove, Pa.

The 2,369-sq.-ft. store will be joined by a newly formatted J.C. Penney opening this fall and featuring the retailer’s Shops format, along with the opening of accessory boutique Laila Rowe.

Willow Grove Park is a three-level, 1.2 million-sq.-ft. regional shopping mall anchored by Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Sears and Nordstrom Rack.

Rome, Ga. -- Augusta, Ga.-based Hull Storey Gibson Companies announced its acquisition of Mount Berry Square Mall in Rome, Ga.

The 476,778-sq.-ft. mall is anchored by Belk, J.C. Penney and Sears.

Sears has equipped 27 of its Home Services division vehicles with engines that run on propane gas as part of a broader energy management effort.

The efficiency initiative involving 27 Roush CleanTech Ford E-250 cargo vans fueled by propane autogas will be deployed in the Sears Home Services Seattle fleet.

Springfield, Mass. -- Charter Realty & Development Corp. said that it has arranged for a 2,500-sq.-ft. lease for McDonald’s located in the Springfield Plaza in Springfield, Mass.

Springfield Plaza is a 550,000-sq.-ft. center anchored by Kmart, Rocky's, TJ Maxx, Ocean State Job Lot, Savers, Stop & Shop and Entertainment Cinema. McDonald’s will be locating on a site formerly occupied by KFC. Construction is expected to start shortly, said Charter.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears customers can now engage the services of Jackson Hewitt for tax preparation for the 2013 season.