Retail

New York -- Sunglass Hut has debuted a new retail brand, Shaded, in the form of a freestanding, open-air kiosk. Targeted at Millenials, the format puts an emphasis on interactivity, with a built-it photo booth that allows for on-the-spot photo taking and photo sharing. (See photos here.)

Dallas – Tuesday Morning Corp. has named Melissa Phillips as executive VP and general merchandise manager, effective immediately. She brings 15 years of buying and retail experience to Tuesday Morning. Since 2009, she has served as general manager for The Home Decorators Collection (HDC) at The Home Depot.
 

Washington, D.C. - The National Retail Federation (NRF) was recognized on Earth Day, April 22, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with its 2014 SmartWay Affiliate Challenge award. The EPA recognized NRF for supporting policies and practices that reduce truck emissions and enhance freight efficiency.

The SmartWay Affiliate Challenge is a national challenge developed by the EPA to acknowledge organizations that do an exceptional job supporting the partnership’s freight sustainability goals.

Oak Brook, Ill. – McDonald’s Corp. reported net income of $1.2 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, a 5.5% decline from $1.27 billion in the same quarter a year earlier. Total revenues grew 1% to $6.7 billion, from $6.2 billion.

Dallas – Tuesday Morning Corp. and former CEO Kathleen Mason have settled a discrimination lawsuit filed by Mason. In the suit, Mason alleged she was dismissed from her position by Tuesday Morning after disclosing she had breast cancer.

The suit was filed in May 2013 and dismissed on April 17. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
 

Armonk, N.Y. -- IBM said Tuesday that its Watson unit has invested in Fluid, a digital commerce firm, to develop personalized shopping applications using IBM’s cognitive computing tools.

Atlanta — JLL has announced the closing of the sale of Market Square at Montrose on behalf of LaSalle Investment Management to HP Realty LLC. Purchased for $32.5 million, the 510,231-sq.-ft. retail center hosts anchors Home Depot, J.C. Penney, Levin Furniture, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Regal Cinemas, Toys “R” Us and Cost Plus World Market.

“Akron and similar cities are back in favor with investors,” commented Kris Cooper, a JLL managing director.

Seattle -- Nordstrom plans to open a Nordstrom Rack at University Crossing in Orem, Utah.

The approximately 30,000-sq.-ft. store is scheduled to open in spring 2015. University Crossing is owned and managed by University Crossing Shopping Center.