Retail

Pennsauken, N.J. – Becker’s School Supplies has relaunched its e-commerce site using the WebLinc platform.

The WebLinc platform allows Becker’s to offer a branded user experience and also provides back-end merchandising and management tools. Since rolling out its new site, Becker’s has experienced a 120% jump in revenue compared to the same period last year, and saw transaction volume increase by 81% as a result of improved online performance.

Alpharetta, Ga. -- McAlister's Deli announced plans to develop 17 restaurants in Indiana, South Carolina, and Georgia as part of new multi-unit development agreements with two existing franchise groups.

"We are pleased that our existing franchisees are continuing to expand with McAlister's Deli," said McAlister's Deli president and CEO Frank Paci. "Their commitment to develop demonstrates their confidence in the brand's strength and its ability to provide franchisees with an attractive investment."

Detroit – Despite the widely reported financial troubles the Detroit area is facing, four current development projects demonstrate there is demand for new retail stores and restaurants in the city.

According to an article in Crain’s Detroit Business, all four projects are taking place near the Oakland Mall at the intersection of 14 Mile and John R. roads. Chicago-based Urban Retail Properties is reportedly developing Qdoba Mexican Grill and Starbucks locations off 14 Mile Road that will open later this fall.

Talk about planning ahead. Target has announced a new collaboration with designer Peter Pilotto that won’t hit stores or the Internet until February 2014.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. on Monday said it plans to obtain a senior secured term loan facility of up to $1 billion to help lower borrowings under its revolving credit facility.

The company said that the term loan would be issued under its existing credit agreement, which provides for a $3.28 billion revolving credit facility.

The term loan is expected to mature in June 2018.

New York -- Saks Inc. announced that its chairman and CEO, Stephen I. Sadove, along with the company’s president and chief merchant, Ronald L. Frasch, plan to leave the company following the closing of its acquisition by Canadian retailer Hudson's Bay Co.

Gap will launch a fall global marketing campaign called “Back to Blue,” featuring two videos with musicians Dhani Harrison and Alexa Ray Joel, which consumers can watch on TV, desktops and smartphones and tablets.

Melville, N.Y. — Mike Matlat has joined A&G Realty Partners as senior managing director in the Melville, N.Y., office. Matlat comes to A&G from DJM Realty, bringing 20 years of real estate expertise in managing special non-retail projects.

In his new role, Matlat will expand A&G’s real estate advisory services into the hospitality, industrial and residential sectors. He has achieved more than $500 million in sales of warehouse, industrial, hospitality and residential space.