Department Store

Philadelphia -- Urban Outfitters said Thursday that Stephen Murray has resigned as global president of the Urban Outfitters brand.

The company said Murray plans to return to London and "pursue an opportunity with a wholesale business having an international focus."

Urban Outfitters CEO Glen Senk will take on Murray's duties until a replacement is found, the company said.

New York City -- Wal-Mart Stores has agreed to pay $440,000 to settle a federal harassment lawsuit by 10 employees who say they endured ethnic slurs and derogatory remarks on a daily basis while working at a Sam's Club store in Fresno, Calif. The EEOC announced the settlement Thursday.

Nine of the lawsuit plaintiffs were of Mexican descent and one was married to a Mexican. The alleged harasser was a Mexican-American co-worker.

The nation’s leading retail and restaurant chains came together to share ideas, discuss opportunities and find new solutions at Chain Store Age’s 47th annual SPECS conference, in Grapevine, Texas. Reflecting a renewed sense of optimism in the industry, overall attendance was up significantly, among retailers as well as exhibitors. All segments of the industry were in attendance, from discounters and specialty stores to supermarkets and home-improvement outlets to casual-dining restaurants.

Chain Store Age's annual review of development, acquisition and management activities.

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Kokomo Ind. -- The Bon-Ton Stores said Thursday that it has signed a letter of intent with Simon Property Group for a 60,000-sq.-ft. facility at Markland Mall, located in Kokomo, Ind.

According to the department store retailer, the existing building will be remodeled by November, at which time Bon-Ton will open a new store under the Carson’s nameplate, replacing its current Elder-Beerman store presently located in Kokomo Mall.

TOPEKA, Kan. -- Payless ShoeSource announced that Andrew Meyer has been named SVP and general merchandise manager for Payless' women's and accessories businesses, reporting to LuAnn Via, president and CEO of Payless.

WASHINGTON – Retail sales increased 0.4% last month, the Commerce Department said Wednesday, buoyed by rising gasoline revenue. The gain in March, the ninth consecutive monthly increase, was the smallest since the string began last summer.

The increase shrank to a 0.1% when sales at gasoline stations were excluded. However, the biggest decline in auto sales in more than a year also pulled down overall sales. When taking out sales at gas station and of autos, retail sales rose 0.6%.

Forest City Commercial Management in partnership with social shopping network, Shoptopia, kicked off Project Style, the award-winning fashion competition for guys and girls ages 13 and up. From April through August, Forest City shopping centers nationwide will select two fashion trendsetters for each center each round, during a five-round contest, to put their sense of style and fashion to the test by creating the ultimate outfit.