Department Store

New York – Macy’s Inc. is testing the effectiveness of mobile video ads on Facebook. On May 16, the retailer began running video ads using Facebook’s auto-play feature on the mobile newsfeed in its iPhone app.

The ads appear at the top of the newsfeed and start playing when the user scrolls down. If clicked, they become full-screen size and audio turns on. Users are allowed to like, share and/or comment on the ads.

Philadelphia – Urban Outfitters saw its net income decline 20% to $37.08 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, from $47.06 million in the first quarter of the previous fiscal year. This significant net income drop came despite a 6% jump in total net sales to $686.3 million, from $648.2 million.

Net income and sales totals both came in below Wall Street expectations. Total same-store sales remained flat. Higher marketing expenses, which helped boost net sales, contributed to the decline in net income.

New York – J. Crew is reportedly planning to expand into Asia. According to the Wall Street Journal, J. Crew will open two new stores in Hong Kong on May 21.

The Hong Kong stores will be J. Crew’s first Asian stores since it closed its stores in Japan in 2008. In 2012, J. Crew said it planned to open stores in Hong Kong, and the U.K., and opened three U.K. stores in 2013. The retailer plans to open five or six stores in Hong Kong in the next few years, and may also open new stores in Japan.

Minneapolis - Peter Glusker has joined Target as senior VP, new business integration and operations, effective May 19. In this role, Glusker will lead the integration of new acquisitions into Target and develop strategies that ensure a consistent and great guest experience.

Toronto - Sears Canada Inc. has entered into an agreement for the sale of its 15% minority ownership interest in the Centre commercial Les Rivières shopping centre in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, for $33.5 million. Ivanhoé Cambridge, who holds the center in a joint arrangement with Sears Canada, is purchasing the 15% interest that it does not already own from Sears.

Las Vegas — DeBartolo Development has retained JLL Retail to manage the new Ka Makana Ali’i shopping center in Kapolei, West Oahu, considered the fastest growing area in Hawaii. The $500-million project will span 67 acres of Department of Hawaiian Home Lands at the intersection of the Kapolei and Kualaka’i Parkways. Upon completion Ka Makana Ali’i will be the third largest shopping center in Hawaii.

New York -- From indie favorites to mass-market British brands, here are seven retailers getting ready to make their U.S. brick-and-mortar debut:

1. Nasty Gal

Seattle -- Nordstrom Inc.’s net income for the first quarter fell 3% to $140 million from $145 million in the year ago period, reflecting heavy investments in technology to support omnichannel initiatives and the retailer’s debut in Canada. Its earnings still topped Street views. The company plans to open three full-line stores and 17 Nordstrom Rack stores during the remainder of fiscal 2014