Department Store

Little Rock, Ark. -- In a regulatory filing on Wednesday Dillard's said it plans to form a real estate investment trust, with the objective of improving liquidity.

According to the department store retailer, various company entities will transfer interests in properties to the REIT, which will then lease the properties back to them.

"Dillard's believes the formation of a REIT may enhance its ability to access debt or preferred stock and thereby enhance its liquidity," the filing said.

Atlanta -- First Data Corp. said Thursday that it has entered into an agreement with Kohl’s Department Stores to provide payment processing services for the company’s private brand credit-card accounts.

The multi-year agreement calls for First Data to provide Kohl’s with credit-card processing, customer analytics, risk-management services and automated customer service workflow tools.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Cincinnati -- A survey released Thursday by Cintas Corp. found that 99% of U.S. adults say poor cleanliness negatively impacts their perception of a retail store.

In the telephone survey conducted by Harris Interactive among more than 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and older, respondents said that dirty restrooms and unpleasant odors are more annoying than poor customer service.

New York City -- New York & Co. announced on Wednesday the appointment of David Witkewicz to executive VP design, effective this month.

Witkewicz will report to Greg Scott, president, and will serve on the company’s executive committee.

Witkewicz was previously VP design for Coach.

ATLANTA -- First Data Corp. announced that it has entered into an agreement with Kohl’s Department Stores to provide payment processing services for the company’s private brand credit card accounts.

New York City -- Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th announced that it plans to open a store at the Tuscany Place Designer Outlets, a new, upscale pedestrian-friendly lifestyle outlet development in Madison, Miss.

The center and the Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th store are expected to open in the spring of 2012.

"We look forward to opening our first Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th store in Mississippi where the temperate climate allows for year round shopping," noted Robert Wallstrom, president of Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. said that it has promoted Tony Fisher to president of Target Canada as the retailer prepares to open its first stores in the country. He will be responsible for building the team, establishing the headquarters and leading the day-to-day operations of the corporation's recently announced expansion into Canada.

The chain tapped an 11-year employee to lead its Canadian business. Last week, Target announced it bought 220 Zeller's leaseholds and it plans to open between 100 and 150 Target stores in Canada beginning in 2013.

SARASOTA, Fla. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) announced that Bill Simon, president and CEO of Walmart stores, and Steven Preston, president and CEO of OakLeaf Waste Management were named to the RILA board of directors, following the board’s semi-annual board of directors meeting held Sunday in Sarasota, Fla.

Simon replaces Walmart vice chairman and president and CEO of global e-commerce and global sourcing Eduardo Castro-Wright.