Apparel

Purchase, N.Y. -- Beyond the Rack, Currys, lastminute.com, Newegg and PC World have gone live on MasterPass, the digital platform from Master Card. More than 20,000 leading retailers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia are now on the platform, according to Master Card.

Norwalk, Conn. – GE Capital, Corporate Retail Finance announced it is administrative agent and sole lender on a $100 million senior secured credit facility for Samuels Jewelers. The proceeds will be used to refinance existing debt and to support ongoing working capital needs. GE Capital Markets served as lead arranger.

New York -- Shoppers in the United States intend to spend an average of $646 on gifts this holiday season, representing an 11% increase over the $582 they planned to spend, on average, in 2012, according to Accenture’s annual holiday shopping survey. The forecast uptick is more optimistic than other holiday surveys released to date.

New York -- RadioShack unveiled a store remodeled to its new high-touch format, in Manhattan, with an additional Big Apple location set to open on Oct. 12. The format incorporates interactive areas designed to help shoppers improve their technology profile. The chain premiered the design in July, on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.

Features of RadioShack’s updated design include:

Newly configured displays highlighting in-demand brands like Apple, HTC and Samsung, as well as mobile carriers such as AT&T, Sprint and Verizon;

BeachMint, parent company of JewelMint, StyleMint, ShoeMint and intiMINT, has expanded its partnership with Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen, designers of the Row, Elizabeth and James, Olsenboye and StyleMint. 

The agreement names Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen co-chairs of BeachMint's advisory board, a role that will be consultative and creative in nature across the four fashion Mint brands. Previously the celebrity twins were partners and designers solely in BeachMint's apparel brand, StyleMint.

Shoppers in the United States plan on spending an average of $646 on gifts this holiday season, representing an 11% increase over the $582 they planned to spend, on average, in 2012, according to Accenture’s annual holiday shopping survey. The forecast uptick is more optimistic than other holiday surveys released to date.

Most retailers now have some sort of social presence, but too often it consists of having an account on popular social media networks and little more. Following are five examples of recent retail social media offerings that leverage social media’s unique ability to engage consumers, improve operations and boost profits.

American Eagle – ‘Rock Your Walk’

J.C. Penney Co. is expanding its kids and baby line-up with the launch of exclusive new brands, including dedicated in-store environments for Disney and giggleBABY.

Penney’s Disney shop concept ranges in size from 800 sq. ft. to 1,100 sq. ft. The branded department features toys, collectibles and children's apparel designed exclusively for Penney and showcasing various Disney characters.

Fort Worth, Texas — Epiphany Boutique will open a 1,463-sq.-ft. store at West 7th, a mixed-use development at the intersection of West Seventh Street and University Drive in Fort Worth, according to Cypress Equities, the developers of West 7th.

The store is slated to open in early October. Centennial Retail Services represented the landlord. Epiphany Boutique represented itself.

Houston — Jones Lang LaSalle’s Capital Markets group has closed the sale of Montgomery Plaza on behalf of Weingarten Realty Investors. American National Insurance Company purchased the 304,867-sq.-ft. shopping center, located in Conroe, Texas.

Montgomery Plaza retailers include Academy Sports & Outdoors, Big Lots, Conn’s Appliances, 99 Cents Only and Petco. In addition to the inline space, there are two multi-tenant pads and two single-tenant pads.