Mass Merchant

New York -- Cautious spending and economic realities that are bifurcating the American holiday shopper into two distinct segments are two of the 10 trends that are expected to drive the 2014 holiday shopping season, according to a new report from PwC US and Strategy.

Minneapolis - Christopher & Banks Corp. is cutting its sales forecast for the third quarter of fiscal 2014, based on sales trends to date for the quarter. The company believes sales have been negatively impacted by continued softness in mall traffic and lower than expected sales from its September fashion show, as the demand for fashion merchandise exceeded planned inventory levels, as well as due to late receipts associated with the West Coast port disruptions.

Target is completely revamping its app, while also working on a new one for pharmacy.

“We view mobile as the new front door to Target,” says Jason Goldberger, SVP of Target.com and mobile, was quoted as saying in the company’s newsletter, A Bullseye View. “We’re launching a host of significant enhancements and updates to Target’s mobile offerings — making it easier than ever for guests to shop Target.”

Dublin, Calif. - Ross Dress for Less will open a new store in Kansas on Oct. 11. The store is located in Schulman Crossing in Garden City.  

This new opening is part of the retailer’s 2014 expansion program, totaling approximately 75 new locations during the year. 

New York -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Tuesday said it will no longer provide health benefits to part-time associates who work less than 30 hours a week in a move to control its rising healthcare costs. The chain, the nation’s largest private employer, said the decision will impact about 2% of its total U.S. work force.

The announcement follows similar decisions by Target, Home Depot, Walgreens and Trader Joe’s to cut health insurance benefits for part-time associates.  

Howell, N.J. -- Norman’s Hallmark, a family-owned and operated card and specialty gift retailer, has signed a lease to occupy 5,200 sq. ft. at Aldrich Plaza, Howell, New Jersey, announced Levin Management, exclusive leasing and managing agent for the 150,000-square-foot shopping center.
 
Gloria Mercado, Levin’s leasing representative, negotiated the long-term lease.
 

Cautious spending and a spending divide that has bifurcated the American holiday shopper into two distinct segments,  are two of the 10 big trends that are expected to drive the 2014 holiday shopping season, according to a new report from PwC US and Strategy&.

Burlington, N.J. - Affiliates of Bain Capital Partners LLC and certain other stockholders of Burlington Stores Inc. intend to offer eight million shares of the company’s common stock in an underwritten public offering. The offering consists entirely of secondary shares to be sold by the selling stockholders.

Burlington Stores will not sell any shares in the offering and will not receive any proceeds from the offering. J.P. Morgan is acting as sole book-running manager for the offering.