Retail

Arlington, Va. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association said Monday via a written letter to the House Ways and Means Committee that all corporate tax preferences need to be “put on the table” so that politics can be neutralized and progress can be made.

New York -- The fight over Martha Stewart resumed with both Macy's and J.C. Penney Co. back in a New York court on Monday. The trial, over whether Macy's has an exclusive right to sell select Martha Stewart home goods items, resumed after a month-long mediation effort failed to yield a settlement.

On Monday, Macy’s alleged Penney has begun selling some items on its website that infringe on Macy’s exclusive deal with Martha Stewart.

New York -- Ron Johnson is out as CEO of J.C. Penney. In making the announcement, the company also said that that Myron E. (Mike) Ullman has rejoined Penney as CEO, effective immediately. Ullman, who served as CEO of Penney until late 2011, has also been elected to the board of directors.

Johnson’s departure was not all that unexpected given the chain’s mounting losses and sales declines. But it was still a stunning reversal of fortune for the former golden boy of Apple, who left the tech giant amid great fanfare for the top job at Penney.

Nashville -- Genesco Inc. said Friday it will withdraw its listing on the Chicago Stock Exchange, citing a need to streamline operations and eliminate overlapping administrative requirements and costs.

The company, which owns the Journeys, Lids, and Johnston & Murphy banners among others, will continue to list its common stock on the New York Stock Exchange.  

Washington, D.C. -- A report on Friday by the Labor Department showed that retail employment declined by 24,000 in March, the biggest slide since February 2012. The largest hiring slump occurred among clothing and accessories stores, which dropped 15,000, followed by a 10,000 decrease among building-material and garden suppliers.
 
Retailers have been slow to hire largely because of the concern over the 2% increase in payroll taxes and how the bump is impacting consumer spending.

By Brad LaRock, [email protected]

If the 2012 holiday retail season proved anything, it’s this: the smart merchant gets the sale. Retailers have to plan strategically, segment their customer base, and think like today’s super connected shopper.

San Bernardino, Calif. -- Stater Bros. announced Monday the construction start to its newest and most modern supermarket, slated to open in the Redlands Village Shopping Center — a grocery-anchored center being developed by Upland, Calif.-based Lewis Retail Centers in San Bernardino, Calif.

The 44,000-sq.-ft. store will replace a nearby store that is half that size. The larger format will allow wider aisles, outdoor seating and a variety of departments and amenities, and is slated to open in September.

Scottsdale, Ariz. -- JDA Software Group announced that Bob Evans Farms will deploy a JDA workforce management solution (formerly RedPrairie WFM) in approximately 565 Bob Evans restaurants.

Bob Evans selected JDA to help improve forecasting and scheduling of labor, drive proper placement of staff throughout the course of the day and provide exceptional service to every customer.