Department Store

Hingham, Mass. -- The Talbots said in a regulatory filing that key executive John Fiske is leaving the company.

Fiske, 46, was named the chief stores officer of the company in March 2009 after serving as a human resources executive. He was part of a management team that was put in place to improve business results.

Talbots has been struggling in its turnaround efforts. The company cut its guidance last month after a weak holiday shopping season. 

Crain’s New York Business this week reported on an interesting situation involving Walmart and the hype surrounding the company entry into the city. According to author Greg David, “as the opponents of Walmart continue their campaign to prevent the company from opening stores in New York, it remains a mystery how they intend to do that. David notes that the City Council has no power to intervene in leases signed at existing retail locations, and the company seems more determined than ever to take on the Big Apple.

The retail consulting and research firm Customer Growth Partners is out with a new report highlighting the fact that department stores gained market share last year for the first time in nearly three decades. According to CGP’s study, department stores’ share of the U.S. retail market rose for the first time since the 1980’s, fueled both by innovation and superior mall anchor execution combined with top-line weakness at the granddaddy of off-mall big-boxes, Walmart’s U.S. division, which is now suffering through almost two years of lagging sales.

NEW YORK -- Macy's has announced the launch of "Edie Rose Home," an exclusive tabletop collection designed by actress Rachel Bilson, now available at select Macy's stores nationwide and on macys.com. 

Indianapolis -- MID Retail announced Urban Outfitters has selected MID Advanced Allocation Software to forecast and distribute merchandise for all store locations across its Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and Free People brands. The MID solution was designed to help multi-store, multi-sku retailers increase accuracy, efficiency and profitability. The system includes both pack and size optimization modules for accurate sku-level allocation and replenishment.

PLANO, Texas -- JCPenney has joined forces with teen and tween online community Stardoll.com for the launch of the first-ever, exclusive Stardoll brand of clothing and accessories.  This exciting, new brand will launch in 300 JCPenney stores and on jcp.com for the 2011 back-to-school season.

Stardoll.com is online community for girls that lets them create and dress their own personalized "MeDoll" avatars and use them to interact with other girls.