Retail

PALO ALTO, Calif. — Children’s clothing brand retailer Gymboree has launched a new iPad app, powered by Revel Touch Merchandising Suite, to create a touch-optimized shopping experience that introduces consumers to new ways to explore and purchase the brand's clothing and accessories.

New York -- Big M Inc., which operates Mandee and Annie Sez stores, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The New Jersey-based retailer cited the impact of Superstorm Sandy, which resulted in closures that affected its stores, corporate office and distribution center for more than a week. The company cited liabilities of between $50 million and $100 million, along with assets of the same amount.

ROSEVILLE, Calif. — Outdoors specialty retailer Cabela’s has entered into a multi-year agreement with Revionics, a leading provider of end-to-end merchandise optimization solutions.

Cabela’s, which operates 40 large format stores and describes itself as the world's largest direct marketer of hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor merchandise, will look to Revionics to improve its life cycle price optimization solutions.

Dover, Del. -- Brixmor Property Group said that Party City will open a 12,000-sq.-ft. store at North Dover Shopping Center, located in Dover, Del.

Brixmor, based in New York City, is the owner of the shopping center.

GRAPEVINE, Texas — Lower in-store traffic at GameStop during the holiday resulted in a decline in same-store sales during the first nine weeks of the company’s fourth quarter.

Total global sales for the nine-week period ended December 29 decreased 4.6%, compared to com 2011 holiday sales period. Comparable store sales decreased 4.4%, with U.S. comps of -3.5% and international comps of -6.4%.

Washington, D.C. -- Online marketplace LivingSocial said Tuesday that former Best Buy EVP and CMO Barry Judge has been appointed its new chief marketing officer.

Judge is charged with extending LivingSocial’s leadership in the local commerce space by overseeing online and offline advertising, brand management, social media and communications.
 
Judge first joined Best Buy in 1999 to help the company launch Bestbuy.com.

Norwalk, Conn. -- WhenToManage announced that its suite of retail operations solutions, including point-of-sale intelligence, labor scheduling and inventory management tools, is now being deployed by Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, an international franchiser, confectionery manufacturer and retail operator.

SUFFERN, N.Y. — Ascena Retail Group has named Dirk Montgomery as its new EVP and CFO.

Current EVP and CFO Armand Correia is retiring after 21 years with the specialty retailer, which offers clothing, shoes and accessories for missy and plus-size women and tween girls, under the Justice, Lane Bryant, Maurices, Dressbarn and Catherines brands.