Department Store

Chicago -- Although the first government shutdown in 17 years lasted 16 days, it left an impact on more than just the workers sent home after lawmakers failed to arrive at a deal to end the spending and debt stalemate. Total retail store shopper traffic during the week of Sept. 29 to Oct. 5 decreased 7.5% compared to the same time period last year, according to ShopperTrak, a leading provider of shopper analytics.

The Washington, D.C. area saw an even greater decrease, with an 11.4% decline in year-over-year shopper traffic the week of Oct. 6-12.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Pier 1 Imports announced that its board of directors has authorized a new $200 million share repurchase program.

The new share repurchase program is effective immediately and authorizes the repurchase of up to $200 million of the company’s common stock in open market or private transactions. As of October 17, 2013, Pier I had approximately 103.8 million shares of common stock outstanding.
 

New York — INTIMACY (bra fit stylists) has opened a lingerie shop at 104 Fifth Avenue in the New York City’s Flatiron retail district. Faith Hope Consolo Chairman, and Joseph A. Aquino, executive VP of Douglas Elliman’s Retail Group, represented the landlord in the transaction. Stacey Robins Realty represented INTIMACY.

Other national and international brands with stores in the area include Aldo, Anthropologie, Banana Republic, Coach, J.Crew, Kenneth Cole and 7 for all mankind.

Target is taking a page from Apple and remodeling its electronics department to echo the minimalist format seen in Apple and even Best Buy stores, according to a report in the StarTribune.

 “It’s more a minimalist approach with space for consumers to touch and test the merchandise,” said Chris Christopher, director of consumer electronics at IHS Global Insight in Massachusetts, in the report.

Minneapolis – Target Corp. is reportedly testing a “hands-on” electronics department with a minimalist format that harkens back to Apple stores and brightly lit displays that encourage shoppers to try out sample consumer electronics products. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Target is testing the concept at stores in Brooklyn Park, Mankato, Ridgedale and the Quarry location in Minneapolis, as well as outside Minnesota.

Cheshire, Conn. -- Macy's and Bloom Energy announced that an innovative clean electricity generation system has been installed at Macy’s online fulfillment center in Cheshire, Conn. The servers, from Bloom Energy, use an advanced solid oxide fuel cell technology to produce electricity on-site.

New York -- With a late Thanksgiving and the shortest holiday shopping season in years, consumers report they are starting their holiday shopping sooner and spending more this year, according to the latest American Express Spending & Saving Tracker research. The report is more optimistic than some other holiday forecasts.

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney joined the list of retail chains that plan to open their stores on Thanksgiving night to kick off the holiday shopping season.  

Penney will open most of its 1,100 stores at 8 p.m., the same as Macy's. Last year, Penney opened its stores at 6 a.m. on Black Friday, while rivals Macy’s and Kohl’s opened their doors at midnight.