Retail

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys“R”Us has introduced a new Wi-Fi tablet for kids called Tabeo that is both fun and safe.

This 7-inch, multi-touch tablet features 50 free, preinstalled apps that were carefully selected to entertain and educate children, while helping them explore the Internet, the company said. The tablet also features safety controls so taht parents can dictate the level of Internet access for each member of their family.

Philadelphia -- Three-fourths (75%) of retailers forecast an increase in holiday sales this year, according to a survey by Hay Group, a global management consultancy.

The annual Seasonal Staffing Survey report also finds that retailers have more confidence in holiday hiring plans. While 57% of retailers plan to hire seasonal workers at the same level as 2011, 36% say they will be hiring more. This stands in contrast to 2011 when just 10% planned to hire more seasonal workers than the year prior.

New York -- Brown Shoe Company has acquired the Sam & Libby brand and reunited it with its founders, Sam and Libby Edelman. For the last eight years, the brand was owned by The Jones Group.

Seattle -- Nordstrom announced it has begun selling the trendy British fashion brand Topshop and Topman at 14 select Nordstrom stores across the country and on its website. Merchandise deliveries will be made on a weekly basis, with an expanded collection available online.

In addition, the Topshop make-up collection will launch in select stores and online in late 2012.

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu has named Bill Parker as the interim president of Farm Fresh Food & Pharmacy, a 43- store division in the Virginia Beach/Norfolk, Va. market. Parker, Farm Fresh's current SVP merchandising, will replace Gaelo de la Fuente who became the company’s president in April 2010 and is leaving the company to pursue other interests. Parker will assume the new role on Sept. 15.

South Plainfield, N.J. -- Bryn Mawr, Pa.-based WP Realty and Angelo, Gordon & Co. said that the pair has Oak Park Commons in South Plainfield, N.J.

Oak Park Commons is a one-story, 136,939-sq.-ft. community shopping center anchored by A&P Supermarket in 60,025 sq. ft. and includes a mix of national, regional, and local tenants. It is currently 76% occupied.
 

NEW YORK — Brown Shoe Company has acquired the Sam & Libby brand and reunited it with its founders, Sam and Libby Edelman. For the last eight years, the brand was owned by The Jones Group.

Beachwood, Ohio -- DDR Corp. has announced the appointment of Martin McGreevy as senior VP and chief marketing officer for the company.

McGreevy is charged with establishing and executing the company's corporate messaging, branding and marketing strategy.

Prior to joining DDR, McGreevy was president of Cyclonix Inc., a San Jose, Calif.-based marketing and consulting firm.