Department Store

The man who turned a single struggling bookstore he bought in 1965 into a retail empire is retiring from active duty.

Leonard Riggio, founder and executive chairman of Barnes & Noble Inc., announced that he will retire as chairman in September, following the chain’s annual shareholder meeting.

“I’ve done everything I have wanted to do in business and now it is time for me to pursue the many other endeavors related to my philanthropic and social interests,” said Riggio.

While generally steady post-recessionary economic performance has led to an extended period of retail growth, retailers and retail real estate professionals around the country have begun openly wondering about just how high rental rates can continue to climb. In the last few years, occupancy costs are up significantly virtually across the board; most dramatically in dense urban locations in larger markets.

Coach on Tuesday reported its first growth in quarterly profit in three years. The retailer also announced a series of management changes and corporate job reductions resulting in a pre-tax charge of about $65 million to $80 million in the fourth quarter.

Coach said it would cut an unspecified number of corporate jobs, and announced that president and COO Gebhard Rainer and global marketing president David Duplantis would leave the company.

The number of Sephora shops inside J.C. Penney stores is about to increase.

The department store retailer announced it will open 60 additional Sephora shops in Penney stores, including a flagship set to open in November.

Supervalu on Monday announced that experienced financial executive and corporate board member Mary Winston has been appointed to Supervalu's board of directors effective April 27, 2016.

HomeGoods, Stein Mart and Sierra Trading Post will fill a 76,000-sq.-ft. void created by the closing of a Kmart store at the Maple Village shopping center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Sears Holdings will shutter its apparel design office in New York City.

The struggling retailer will shutter the 154-employee office in July, reported the New York Post, which cited a Department of Labor filing.

Sears will move approximately 40 positions to an existing site in San Francisco, with the remainder positions to be cut, according to the report.

The J.C. Penney Co. Inc. is teaming up with a well-known social network to help draw traffic and sales at select mall-based locations.

According to Advertising Age, Penney will display digital Pinterest boards in 10 malls around the country as part of a Mothers’ Day promotion. The boards will display apparel, hair and beauty products that are available in nearby Penney stores at the mall. The promotion will also include featured in-person appearances by well-known fashion bloggers.