Retail

Grand Rapids, Mich. — Meijer has expanded its program that supports Michigan small businesses to feature 55 new Michigan-made grocery products in all its stores statewide, Meijer co-chairman Doug Meijer announced Tuesday.

Atlanta -- Global Franchise Group announced Tuesday a master franchise agreement with Western Brands PVT for the opening of the first Marble Slab Creamery locations in the country of Pakistan.

The deal calls for the development of 10 Marble Slab Creamery stores in Pakistan over a 10-year period, with the 5,000 sq. ft. flagship store opening up in the major city of Lahore, Pakistan.

Marble Slab Creamery is managed by GFG Management, a subsidiary of Global Franchise Group.

Columbus, Ohio -- DSW Inc. reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended Feb. 2 rose to $31.4 million from $23.1 million in the year-ago period. Sales for the fourth quarter increased 15.7% to $594.3 million, and same-store sales rose 3.6%.

For the full year, profit increased to $152.2 million, from $136.1 million in the prior fiscal year. Sales rose 11.5% to $2.26 billion from $2.02 billion.

Cherry Hill, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) said that Soma Intimates recently opened its first location in the area at Cherry Hill Mall, in Cherry Hill, N.J. The 2,800-sq.-ft. store is the newest addition to a vibrant mall that is anchored by Nordstrom, Macy’s, and J.C. Penney and features Apple, A/X Armani Exchange, Crate and Barrel, H&M, Henri Bendel, Hugo Boss, J. Crew, Michael Kors, Sephora, Teavana, The Art of Shaving, The Container Store, The North Face, True Religion and Urban Outfitters.

Charlotte, N.C. — Harris Teeter Together in Education (TIE) on Monday donated more than $385,000 to participating TIE schools during the second of three payouts of the 2012/2013 school year, raising the program total to $18.7 million since 1998.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Monday by the National Retail Federation said that the average person celebrating Easter this year will spend about $145.13 on candy, décor, apparel and food – with is flat with last year’s $145.28.

NRF, through its Easter Spending Survey conducted by BIGinsight, estimated that total spending will reach an estimated $17.2 billion this year.

Boston — Raley’s Family of Fine Stores, a privately held supermarket chain with a presence in Northern California and Nevada, has partnered with BzzAgent, the social marketing arm of Dunnhumby, to develop the first grocery retailer advocacy online platform to further enhance its new loyalty program, Something Extra.

New York -- The Jones Group Inc. announced Monday it has appointed Greg Clark as chief marketing officer, effective immediately.

Clark will oversee global marketing and brand identity, including spearheading digital media strategy, brand development and creative.

Clark most recently served as the SVP creative marketing for J. C. Penney.