Retail

It’s not over yet for the embattled Sears Holdings, which is streamlining its operations on the heels of what appears to be a brutal fourth quarter.    The long-struggling retailer on Friday announced a comprehensive restructuring that will cut at least $1 billion in operating costs a year. The plan involves reducing corporate overhead (although Sears did not specify, job cuts are likely), closer integration of the Sears and Kmart operations and improving its merchandising, supply chain and inventory management.

J.Jill Group is looking at a return to the public markets. The apparel retailer, which is owned by private-equity firm TowerBrook Capital Partners LP, announced that it has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to a proposed initial public offering of its common stock. TowerBrook acquired J.Jill from Arcapita and Golden Gate Capital in 2015. The chain was previously owned by The Talbots.

A less than stellar holiday season for U.S. department stores has led Moody's Investors Service to revise its forecasts downward for the sector's operating income.   In its new report, the rating agency said it now expects 2016 aggregate operating income to decline 18%, rather than 11%, and for sales to also decline in the year ahead.  

The National Retail Federation’s economic forecast for 2017 is a mostly positive one.   The association is projecting that retail industry sales, which exclude automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants, will grow between 3.7% and 4.2% over 2016, roughly in line with last year’s 3.8% increase.     Online and other non-store/online sales, which are included in the overall number, are expected to increase between 8% and 12%.  

Sears Holding Corp.’s chairman and CEO Eddie Lampert and the company's board settled a lawsuit alleging that the chief executive benefited from a spin-off deal.   The lawsuit was brought on behalf of Sears and against Lampert, other Sears directors and Seritage Growth Properties, the real estate investment trust established to acquire 235 of the struggling chain’s best stores, reported Reuters.  

Target is prepping for another program aimed at start-ups, specifically those focused on health and wellness.   The new program, called “Target Takeoff,” supports health- and wellness-related start-ups through a “mini-accelerator” effort that will help young companies develop and connect with the major retailers in town.  

Macerich is pursuing an option to acquire land in Rosemont, Illinois, to allow it to expand its Fashion Outlets of Chicago mall there, according to the local Daily Herald.   Rosemont authorities told the news site that Macerich could draft an option agreement within the next 60 days that would give it right of first refusal on a village-owned lot east of the shopping center that currently houses The Rosemont Theatre.  

Charlotte Tilbury is taking lipstick sampling to a new level.   The beauty brand is partnering with YouCam Makeup to deliver an interactive platform that allows users to virtually try on the brand’s 12 iconic lipstick shades — anywhere, anytime — right through their mobile device or tablet.