Education

Barnes & Noble wants its shoppers to celebrate innovation and creativity by hosting its first ever "Maker Faire."

The nation’s largest retail bookseller has formed a new partnership with Maker Media, publisher of Make: magazine and producer of Maker Faire, to launch the first-ever Mini Maker Faire in stores nationwide. The retailer is asking shoppers to participate at their local Barnes & Noble store the weekend of Nov. 6-8 to share their inventions, ideas and more.

Oak Brook, Ill. -- Inland Real Estate Acquisitions, Inc. announced the acquisition of three properties, located in Florida, California and Colorado, purchased in August on behalf of an Inland affiliate. The acquisitions collectively total more than $104 million for approximately 607,000 sq. ft. of commercial real estate.

New York -- Dollar General is giving major financial support to a cause that may appeal to many value-oriented shoppers.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation announced that it has awarded over $4 million to approximately 870 schools, nonprofits and literacy organizations to enhance and support youth literacy and education across the 43 states Dollar General serves.

Rite Aid associates plan to honor 274 students who have been named recipients of Folds of Honor educational scholarships provided by the Rite Aid Foundation’s KidCents program.

American Girl is targeting tween girls and their parents via a new partnership with a bestselling author and pediatrician.

The retailer is teaming up once again with Dr. Cara Natterson on a new go-to guide for moms and daughters. The new three-book set, "The Care & Keeping of Us: A Sharing Collection for Girls and Their Moms," according to American Girl, provides the tools to get the conversation going on topics most top-of-mind for growing girls: from body basics, hygiene and healthy habits to friends, social media, clothing and more.

New York -- The International Council of Shopping Centers named a 26-year Deloitte veteran as the fourth individual to lead the global trade association in its 58-year history.

Thomas (Tom) McGee, currently vice chairman, Deloitte LLP, was appointed president and CEO of ICSC, effective Sept. 21. He succeeds current ICSC President and CEO, Michael P. Kercheval who announced his retirement earlier this year.

Staples is injecting more starpower into its latest promotion aimed at supporting education.

The retailer is building on its decades-long support of teachers, students and education by funding 176 local classroom projects in New York City, as part of its recent $10 million pledge to Think It Up, a new national initiative of the Entertainment Industry Foundation that seeks to inaugurate a new movement in support of students, teachers and schools, helping to create a culture of excitement about learning everywhere in America.

Williams-Sonoma is spicing up its store format.

The retailer’s new store in Ponce City Market, Atlanta, features a direct opening to a dining venture by celebrity chef Jonathan Waxman. The adjacent restaurant,  due to open in the fall, is being outfitted by Williams-Sonoma.  A glass wall strategically placed between the restaurant and Williams-Sonoma will offer shoppers an exclusive view into the dining room, and also give them inspiration while they shop. The floor plan is the first in Williams-Sonoma’s history with an independent business.