Department Store

New York  -- Macy’s, Sephora, Michael Kors and Lancome were ranked as Facebook “geniuses” in the second annual L2 Facebook IQ Index, developed in partnership with Buddy Media, a social enterprise software firm.

Overall, this month saw gain in flyer distribution as well as the size of flyer. The largest push of this month came from Walmart with more than 100% increase in flyer drops this month as compared to same month last year. Walmart dropped almost three flyers per market as compared to none in the second week of May this year. Also, a 26-page flyer was dropped in the first week as compared to 12-page flyer previous year.

Hingham, Mass. -- The Talbots Inc. said private-equity firm Sycamore Partners extended the date of the commencement of its offer to buy the women's apparel retailer by two days.

Sycamore will now begin its offer for all outstanding Talbots' shares on June 15, Talbots said in a statement.
 

Old Bridge, N.J. -- Driven by new big-box store closures, the vacancy rate in retail properties along northern New Jersey's six major shopping corridors edged up to 8.2% in April from 8.1% a year ago and 8.0% in 2010, according to R.J. Brunelli & Co.

NEW YORK — Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia has appointed Michael Robinson to the newly created position of VP e-commerce. Robinson brings retail, direct-to-consumer and digital experience working with popular brands such as Anthropologie, Smith & Hawken Ltd., and Banana Republic Inc., and will be responsible for building out the company's e-commerce presence, including the site the company is jointly developing with JCPenney, which is slated to launch in 2013.  He is reporting to Lisa Gersh, president and COO of MSLO.

New York -- Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th announced that it plans to open a store in Merrimack, Mass., on June 14.

The 28,032-sq.-ft. store is located in Merrimack Premium Outlets, a new shopping center 55 miles northwest of Boston. The store’s launch will coincide with the outlet’s grand opening celebration, which will last from June 14 until June 17. Operated by Simon Malls, the Outlet Center will be home to a collection of 100 designer and name-brand outlet stores, up to four restaurants and a food court.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. said Wednesday its board approved the increase of its quarterly dividend by six cents, or 20%, to 36 cents. The chain will pay the dividend on Sept. 10 to shareholders of record as of Aug. 15.

Target Corp. has paid a dividend every quarter since going public in 1967.


 

New York -- A report released Monday by A.T. Kearney showed that Brazil once again first among developing countries for global retail expansion.

A.T. Kearney’s Global Consumer Institute’s 2012 Global Retail Development Index ranks the top 30 developing countries for global retail expansion.