Retail

Port Washington, N.Y. -- NPD Group has released its 2013 holiday gift predictions for the home.

“Some items on this year’s home holiday shopping lists deliver warmth, and others make it cold; some items are functional, and some are about the fun factor,” said Debra Mednick, executive director and home industry analyst. “Either way, the hottest home categories for the 2013 holiday season are designed to conveniently deliver comfort, improve health, or bestow simple affordable pleasures.”

Suffern, N.Y. — Lane Bryant has opened new stores in Kentucky, New Jersey and Texas. The Kentucky store is located at The Shoppes at Gary Farms in Bowling Green. In New Jersey, the new Lane Bryant has opened at Willow Ridge Plaza in Marlton. The third location is in the Chimney Rock Shopping Center in Odessa, Texas.

Lane Bryant is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ascena Retail Group.

New research from the National Retail Federation sheds light on how 140 million Americans plan to shop during the Thanksgiving weekend.

According to a new survey from the National Retail Federation, Black Friday will be the biggest day of the weekend: 69.1% plan to shop on Black Friday, or approximately 97 million shoppers.

Santa Clara, Calif. – Multiple media reports indicate that computer chip manufacturer Intel plans to open a number of pop-up stores selling electronic devices using Intel chips. John Wallace, business line manager of mobile and communications for Intel, announced at a Nov. 13 press event that the company will open its first “Intel Experience” store in the NoLita (North of Little Italy) neighborhood of New York City on Nov. 23.

Lowe’s has elected former WellPoint executive Angela Braly to the company's board of directors. Braly’s term will expire at Lowe's 2014 annual meeting of shareholders. Her addition brings the total of members to 12, of whom 11 are independent.

By Adam Simpson, CEO, Easy Office Phone

Black Friday and Cyber Monday represent two of the year’s biggest sales days, generating billions in revenue. Chain stores, shopping centers and even partners need to be prepared for the onslaught of consumer demand.

Following a heated back-and-forth between Jos. A. Bank and the Men’s Wearhouse, which culminated in an ultimatum, Jos. A. Bank Clothiers has terminated its acquisition proposal.

As previously reported, Jos. A. Bank had advised the Men's Wearhouse board that it would terminate its all-cash proposal to purchase the company for $48 per share if the board failed to “engage in good faith negotiations” by Nov. 14. The day came and went and the companies continued in a deadlock.

New York -- Macy’s Herald Square store has taken the wraps off a dramatic makeover of its beauty and fragrances department. Re-fashioned within a brand-new 24,000-sq.-ft. space, the new department includes brand new counters, shops and bars for brows, blow-outs and nails.