Department Store

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings has appointed former Eli Lilly CIO Jeff Balagna as its new EVP and CIO. In his new role, Balagna will be responsible for all technology and infrastructure initiatives for the company in its support centers and in-store.

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Davenport, Iowa -- Some retailers just keep growing, despite economic headwinds, fickle customers and competitive pressures. The family-operated, 140-year-old Von Maur department store company, based in Davenport, Iowa, is one of those retailers. In an exclusive video interview, Chain Store Age senior editor Katherine Boccaccio spoke with Jim von Maur, president, about the chain’s strategy and how it keeps growing in an uncertain economy.

Total U.S. Shopper Traffic in Retail Stores and Malls for April 2013

An expected post-Easter decline in shopper activity was compounded by unseasonably cold weather last month. Retail foot traffic decreased 10.1 percent in April compared to March 2013, deviating from previous positive month-over-month retail traffic trends. Foot traffic for April 2013 decreased 0.4 percent compared to the same month in 2012. 

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Chestnut Hill, Mass. -- WS Development announced that it will develop an outlet center in Cheshire, Conn. WS Development will introduce leading fashion and designer outlet stores to the 500,000 -sq.-ft. project, which is expected to open in summer 2015.

This open-air shopping, dining and entertainment complex will also include public open space, walkways, recreation amenities, a residential component and full service grocer.

Research from DeWalt found that 650 out of 1,000 pros were aware of DeWalt mechanic tools. That's pretty good awareness. But DeWalt didn't have mechanics tools at the time of the survey.

It does now. And a partnership with Sears is bringing DeWalt wrenches, ratchets, sockets and mechanics tool sets online and in Sears stores in time for Father's Day.

DeWalt and Sears executives announced the news during a presentation at the National Hardware Show here at the Las Vegas Convention Center.