Retail

Traditional craftsmanship and the latest in technology help make for the perfect fit at The Left Shoe, a new luxury men’s footwear retail concept from Finland. 

Irving, Texas -- As part of the celebration of its 40th year, Michaels Arts and Crafts will launch a Michaels Craft Tour this month, stocking an 18-wheeler with a 1,000-sq.-ft. craft room that is transported to various Michaels store openings and other events around the country.

Other features include interactive social media walls and TV screens showing Michaels DIY videos.

Vancouver, B.C. -- Slow websites are a deterrent for customers using mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, according to a report from mobile technology Mobify, which reveals the financial impact of slow loading mobile websites for the world's top 100 online retailers.

Toronto -- Hudson's Bay Co. said Tuesday it has changed the structure of its senior management, giving two highly regarded veteran retailers greater responsibilities. The company is moving current president Bonnie Brooks to the vice chairman seat and putting in Liz Rodbell – recently minted executive VP and chief merchant – as president.  Both Brooks and Rodbell are highly regarded retail

San Jose -- Orchard Supply Hardware Stores Corp. is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. As part of the filing, Orchard Supply has reached an agreement for Lowe’s to purchase acquire the majority of its assets for $205 million in cash, plus the assumption of payables owed to nearly all of Orchard’s supplier partners. Under the terms of the agreement, Lowe’s, serving as “stalking horse bidder,” would acquire no less than 60 of Orchard’s stores, based on further due diligence on the store locations.

New York -- Sixty-percent of retailers have energy management systems within their site portfolios, but only 46% have a formal energy management strategy in place.
 
Those are among the findings of a survey conducted by Ecova, a total energy and sustainability management company. In other survey findings, 44% of the respondents said they currently benchmark their portfolio or sites, and 21% have applied for the Energy Star label for their portfolio.

New York -- Nine owners and managers of 7-Eleven stores across Long Island (New York) and in Virginia were charged on Monday of harboring and hiring dozens of illegal immigrants and paying them using sham Social Security numbers.

Houston -- United Commercial Realty Houston has announced three new leases for Houston-area centers:

• Goody Goody Liquor will open a third Houston-area location at Copperfield Village Shopping Center this fall.

• Pink’s Pizza has signed a deal for its fifth area location at the Cougar Den Plaza adjacent to the University of Houston’s central campus.

• Affinity Veterinary will open a clinic at a center located at 19450 Katy Freeway in Houston.