Retail

Hamilton, Bermuda - In a deal that would combine the two largest mid-tier jewelry chains in the United States, Signet Jewelers Ltd. has agreed to buy rival Zale Corp. for about $690 million dollars. Signet will offer $21 in cash for each Zale share, representing a 41% premium over Tuesday's closing price.

Foot Locker has elected Steven Oakland, president of international, foodservice and natural foods at the J.M. Smucker Company, as a director of the company.

Oakland has spent the bulk of his career at J.M. Smucker serving in increasingly senior positions. He has experience in domestic and international retail operations at the company, having also served as president of U.S. retail for Smucker's, Jif and Hungry Jack, and as GM of its Canadian operations.

Laguna Beach, Calif. – The new Wonder e-gift card app from Wonder Technologies Inc. is available free in the iTunes App store. Wonder allows consumers to instantly deliver e-gifts from participating retailers to anyone with an email address or mobile phone number.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe's plans to hire approximately 25,000 seasonal employees at its stores in the U.S. during spring, its busiest season. Seasonal jobs available are focused on customer support and include cashiers, lawn and garden employees, loaders, and stockers.

Seattle -- Nordstrom announced plans to open a Nordstrom Rack at Redfield Promenade in Reno, Nev.

The store is scheduled to open in spring 2015. Redfield Promenade is owned and operated by Kimco Realty Corp.
 
"We're thrilled to bring a Nordstrom Rack to the Reno community," said Geevy Thomas, president of Nordstrom Rack. "This central retail location at Redfield Promenade is a good fit for us and we look forward to offering customers access to fashion at great prices when we open our doors next year."

Hampstead, Md. - JoS. A. Bank Clothiers, Inc. has commenced a tender offer to purchase up to $300 million in value of shares of its common stock at a price of $65 per share. The closing price of the company's common stock on Feb. 18, 2014 was $54.20 per share.

The new Wonder e-gift card app from Wonder Technologies is available free in the iTunes App store. Wonder allows consumers to instantly deliver e-gifts from participating retailers to anyone with an email address or mobile phone number.

Nashville, Tenn. -- Kirkland's announced  that Todd Weier, senior VP of logistics, plans to leave the company.

"I believe that it is the right time for my departure and that my mission in the company has been largely accomplished," said Todd Weier. "I am proud of our team's many achievements over the years and the logistics infrastructure we've established."