Department Store

Even with fuel prices continuing to be low across the nation, U.S. retail sales were stagnant in March 2016.

According to advance data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, total seasonally adjusted retail and food services sales in the U.S. fell 0.3% to $446.9 billion compared to $448.2 billion in February 2016.

This continued shaky performance in 2016 that has included flat sales in February and a decline in January.

A shakeup in the executive ranks is reportedly occurring at Kohl’s.

According to AdAge, Will Setliff, executive VP of marketing at the department store chain, is resigning his position the week of April 11. There has been no press release from Kohl’s or Setliff and surprisingly little coverage of his career shift outside of AdAge.

Hot on the heels of its launch of a private label collection aimed at millennial women, The J.C. Penney Co. is now introducing a brand and store section designed for a subset of that market.

JCPenney is debuting Boutique+, a plus-size fashion brand designed for full-figured millennial women. Boutique+ will be available at 500 stores and online May 1.

Mid-America Real Estate Corp.’s investment sales team recently brokered the sale of Oak Brook Court. Tampa, Florida-based Third Lake Capital acquired the 103,836-sq.-ft. property for $19.95 million. Oak

Brook Court is located at the northeast corner of Kingery Highway (Illinois Route 83) and 16th Street in Oak Brook Illinois, part of the Chicago metropolitan statistical area. The center is anchored by Binny’s Beverage Depot, Office Max and The Great Escape.

Martine Reardon, Macy's chief marketing officer, has decided to leave the company, effective May 13, after 32 years of service.

Reardon did not specify her exact reason for leaving, but in a statement implied she will be taking some time away from her professional career.

The more than $300 million that Kohl’s has raised through an innovative cause merchandising program is set to go even higher as the retail offer a new product lineup through the end of June.

Kohl’s introduced a new line of Kohl’s Care products including books and plush characters priced at $5 where 100% of the net profit from the products goes to benefit children’s health initiatives nationwide.

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. has named Ashley Sargent Price as senior VP and creative director of marketing.

In this role, Price will oversee creative marketing for all brands (Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie kids, and Hollister Co.), the company`s internal photo studio, and marketing operations. She reports to Fran Horowitz, president & chief merchandising officer.

The outdoor apparel retailer plans to open a flagship on Fifth Avenue, in the space formerly occupied by Canadian fast-fashion merchant Joe Fresh, the Real Deal reported.

The retailer signed an eight-year sublease from Joe Fresh for approximately 20,000 sq.ft. at Vornado Realty Trust’s landmarked building at 510 Fifth Avenue, according to the report. The space includes three levels of retail.

The North Face is also looking for a larger space in Manhattan’s SoHo area, the report said.