Department Store

By Giles Sutton and Mark Wuller, [email protected], [email protected]

Some 115 Simon Property Group malls from coast to coast will celebrate Mother’s Day on May 6, when the nation’s largest mall owner hosts “National Mom's Nite Out.”

While the activities vary across the Simon portfolio of properties, the common theme is to indulge mothers with mini-massages, style presentations, food and beverage sampling, and other networking activities. The event is free for moms of all ages.

In case you missed it because you were too busy putting away the noisemakers or watching college football, the first day of 2011 was not just another New Year’s Day. It was a significant generational milestone: The first members of the Baby Boom generation turned 65.

New York City -- Kidlandia, a company that enables children to create such personalized items as maps, kingdoms and family trees, has opened its first in-store boutique at FAO Schwarz in Midtown Manhattan.

New York City -- Triple Five Worldwide Development Co. LLC, owner of the Mall of America in Minnesota, reached a deal with lenders and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to complete and expand the stalled Meadowlands Xanadu entertainment complex in East Rutherford, N.J., Bloomberg reported.

Mother’s Day may be considered a “Hallmark Holiday,” but that won’t stop consumers from showering mom with gifts on May 8. According to NRF’s 2011 Mother’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, conducted by BIGresearch, the average person celebrating the holiday is expected to spend $140.73 on gifts, up from $126.90 last year, and a return to 2008 spending levels. Total spending is expected to reach $16.3 billion.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Corp. has added another exclusive label to its lineup with Rock & Republic Apparel. The company signed a long-term licensing agreement with R&R Apparel Co. LLC and its parent company, VF Corp.

Rock & Republic will launch in men’s and women’s apparel and footwear in spring 2012. It may expand into children’s accessories and home goods over time. Nearly half of Kohl’s sales in 2010 came from exclusive brands.

J.C. Penney has taken the wraps off its new retail concept, The Foundry Big & Tall Supply Co., opening the first location in Dallas. With the  first 10 stores due to open in the Dallas and Kansas City, Mo., markets by the end of May, J.C. Penney plans to expand concept nationwide to 100 stores by 2013, reaching a total of 300 stores over the next five years.

Averaging 5,000-sq.-ft., The Foundry offers a hip, unpretentious environment with flat-screen TVs tuned to sports, an oversized poker table and comfortable seating.

Plano, Texas -- The Foundry Big & Tall Supply Co., a new specialty retail concept for big and tall men from J.C. Penney, on Thursday made its retail debut in the Dallas area. Approximately 10 stores are expected to open in the Dallas and Kansas City, Mo., markets by the end of May. The company plans to expand the concept nationwide to 100 stores by 2013, reaching a total of 300 stores over the next five years.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group announced that it will assume leasing, management, and marketing duties of the Fox Run Mall in Newington, N.H. Simon will commence this new role at Fox Run on May 15.