Retail

Redmond, Wash. – Tesco has chosen Microsoft Office 365 for its companywide collaboration and social platform. The U.K.-based retailer is committed to deploying Office 365 to its employees working at the company's headquarters, in the field and in stores, across all its locations in Europe and Asia.

NEW YORK — Totsy, a leading private sale site aimed at parents, has grown its membership to five million and will expand its daily deal offerings with its acquisition of Mamasource, a leading daily deal site for moms.

Headquartered in New York, Totsy is a privately held company that connects its members with essential products and brands designed for expecting moms, parents, babies and kids at sample sale prices. Mamasource is one of the largest mom focused community and commerce sites on the Internet, founded in 2005 and

Chicago -- National retail sales increased 2.5% and foot traffic also increased 2.5% when compared with the same two months last year, according to ShopperTrak, the world’s largest counter of retail foot traffic.

ShopperTrak’s initial data indicates that shoppers spent $248.8 billion during this period, which marked the third consecutive year with positive total retail sales. It also was the second holiday season of the past three with positive foot traffic changes.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Select Kmart locations will carry apparel and accessories collections developed by pop superstars Adam Levine and Nicki Minaj in an effort to boost sales. Both collections will also be available via the ShopYourWay.com social shopping platform.

Purchase, N.Y. -- Total retail sales (excluding automotive) for December 2012 grew by 2.4% year-over-year, according to a SpendingPulse report released Wednesday by MasterCard Advisors, the professional services arm of MasterCard. (SpendingPulse reports on national retail sales and is based on aggregate sales activity in the MasterCard payments network, coupled with estimates for all other payment forms, including cash and check.)

NEW YORK — Value priced apparel and accessories retailer Uniqlo continues its U.S. expansion with the opening of two stores in the Northeast.

The global clothing retailer is strengthening its toehold on the Northeast with two new stores opening at Palisades Center in West Nyack, N.Y., and Westchester’s Ridge Hill in Yonkers, N.Y., by spring 2013.

Old Bridge, N.J. -- Construction and leasing are now under way on Woodhaven Plaza, a new neighborhood shopping center in Old Bridge, N.J.

Abilene, Kansas -- ALCO Stores and Revionics Inc. announced a multi-year partnership, which will support optimal pricing decisions throughout ALCO’s 217 stores.

Revionics Life Cycle Price Optimization solutions and Analytic Solutions will enable ALCO to design and execute regional, localized pricing initiatives, timing of markdowns, promotional pricing and analysis of customer market baskets and key volume items.