Retail

WASHINGTON — Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 8.5% in September compared with the same month last year, and strong increases are expected into the holiday season despite talk of a possible strike at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

Rochester Hills, Mich. -- Brixmor Property Group announced that a 8,001-sq.-ft. Dress Barn recently opened at Hampton Village Centre, located in Rochester Hills, Mich.

Brixmor, based in New York City, is the owner of Hampton Village Centre.
 

PURCHASE, N.Y. — Stop & Shop has expanded its gas rewards programs to customers in New Jersey.

Cranston, R.I. -- Boston-based The Wilder Cos. said that LA Fitness will make its Rhode Island state debut at Garden City Center, located in Cranston.

The 38,000-sq.-ft., two-level facility will be located next to Office Max; a former Borders will be demolished to make way for LA Fitness.

Construction will begin in January 2013 with a late December 2013 or early 2014 opening set.

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.

SAN FRANCISCO — Levi Strauss & Co has named longtime apparel executive Seth Ellison president of the global Dockers brand effective Sept. 10.