Department Store

Chicago – Retail experts from professional services and investment management firm JLL are managing two new shopping centers. JLL has been retained by Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp. to manage Beverly Connection, a 348,285-sq.-ft. shopping mall in Los Angeles, and also been retained by 759 Ventures LLC to manage the 58,280-sq.-ft. 2424 North Davidson Street center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

New York -- Elad Group, developer of condominium complex 22 Central Park South, has partnered with Bergdorf Goodman to produce a model residence decorated with accessories and art from the store's Decorative Home floor. The partnership also offers buyers the opportunity to be a part of an exclusive personal shopping and consulting program.

New York - Households with school-aged children (pre-school through 12th grade) plan to spend more this year on back-to-school necessities with a predicted increase of 9 % for an average spend of $655, according to the 15th annual survey conducted by Brand Keys.

Average anticipated spending in all major back-to-school categories reflect higher levels from 2013:

Clothing: $348 (+16%)
Shoes (athletic & dress) $127 (+15%)
Supplies $ 89 (+13%)
Computers/Electronics/
Tablets/Smartphones: $213 (+12%)

Dallas -- Tuesday Morning Corp. has named Jim Wade, a 35-year retail veteran, as an independent member of the company's board of directors, effective immediately. He will serve on the company's Audit Committee.

Wade currently serves on the board of directors and Finance Committee for Advance Auto Parts Inc. He first joined Advance Auto Parts in 1994 as treasurer, and retired as president in 2011 with responsibilities including store operations and both the DIY and commercial businesses.  

Jim Wade, who has 35 years of experience in retail, is the newest member of closeout retailer Tuesday Morning’s board of directors. Wade will be part of the board’s audit committee.

Toronto - HBC Department Store Group is deploying the Swirl in-store beacon marketing platform to deliver digital experiences to consumers' smartphones while they shop in the company's department stores in Canada and the U.S. Using beacons installed in merchandising areas throughout its stores, Hudson's Bay and Lord & Taylor will automatically deliver branded content and personalized offers to in-store shoppers through an array of company-owned and third-party mobile apps.

New York – Business-to-consumer e-commerce sales are expected to reach $14.7 trillion globally in 2014, up about 20% from $1.23 trillion in 2013. According to a new study from EMarketer, this figure will gradually increase to almost $2.36 trillion in 2018.

The Children's Place has announced that Lou Lipschitz, a member of its board of directors and chair of the audit committee, has died.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend, colleague and trusted advisor Lou Lipschitz. Lou's financial leadership, and passion for our business, enriched our company and our board, and we will dearly miss his dedication, grace and wonderful sense of humor," Norman Matthews, The Children's Place chairman of the board, said.