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New York -- Activism, yoga classes and free repairs are all on the menu at Patagonia’s new store in Manhattan’s Soho neighborhood.

The global outdoor lifestyle retailer, one of the industry’s most dedicated environmentalists, is marking 20 years of doing business in the Big Apple.

New York -- J.Crew Group is not breaking any new ground with its latest retail format, Mercantile, which recently opened its first location, in Dallas.

The budget-friendly store, in The Shops at Park Lane, is very similar to J.Crew’s factory outlet concept, reports Business Insider, particularly in its pricing and merchandise mix.

For a look inside the new store, click here.
 

Overstock.com has come up with an exclusive back to school offer designed to appeal to teachers.

The retailer is offering free Club O loyalty program memberships to teachers of all grade levels. With every purchase on Overstock.com, Club O members receive free shipping and a minimum of 5% back in Club O Rewards Dollars to spend on the online shopping website.

Framingham, Mass. – The TJX Cos. Inc. apparently has a taste for vegemite.

TJX is purchasing Trade Secret, an off-price retailer that operates 35 stores in Australia, from Gazal Corp. Ltd. for $58.45 million. The acquisition of Trade Secret provides TJX an opportunistic entry into Australia, where it currently operates one of its 13 buying offices.

New York -- Jones New York stores won’t be shutting out the lights up north.

Canadian menswear retailer Grafton Fraser Inc. has acquired Jones New York’s 35 stores in Canada for an undisclosed amount. The Toronto-based company said it is planning "significant growth" in the number of Jones stores going forward.

TJX has been on a growth and revenue spree of late, and now the off-price retailer is apparently looking to expand down under.

Boston -- A veteran retailer with experience in running big national chains has joined City Sports as its new chief executive.

The Boston-based company tapped Marty Hanaka, who has served on the board of directors of City Sports since 2008, as its new chief executive. Hanaka was the interim CEO of Guitar Center from January 2013 to April 2013. Previously, he served as CEO of Golfsmith Holdings (from June 2008 to November 2012) and of The Sports Authority (from September 1998 to August 2003.) Prior to that, he was the president and COO of Staples.

Columbia Sportswear’s retail aspirations arrived in South Florida in the form of a new 5,600-sq.-ft. concept store called Performance Fishing Gear.