Retail

New York -- The Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson, warned shoppers at shopping centers to be vigilant after a terror group called for attacks at shopping venues in Canada, the U.K. and the United States, mentioning by name the Mall of America, in Bloomington, Minnesota.

"I'm not telling people to not go to the mall," Johnson said Sunday on NBC's Meet The Press. "I think that there needs to be an awareness."

Seattle – Amazon.com is not the devil by any means, but the e-commerce giant is reportedly interested in “wearing” Prada and other high-end brand names on its site. According to Bloomberg, Amazon is in the midst of a major push to become a player in the word of designer fashion retailing.

Port Townsend, Wash. -- Intellicheck Mobilisa, a leader in ID verification and wireless technology, signed a contract with Helzberg Diamonds to implement ID Check throughout Helzberg’s 230 U.S. retail locations.

Helzberg Diamonds will utilize ID Check at the point-of-sale (POS) in its stores to analyze and authenticate driver’s licenses, with a goal of reducing the risk of fraudulent purchases.

Fairfax, Va. – A competitive promotional environment and delivery problems had a negative impact on net income and revenues at Geeknet, parent company of online retailer ThinkGeek.com and licensed merchandise distributor ThinkGeek Solutions, during the fourth quarter and full year 2014. Net income for fourth quarter 2014 was $1 million, down 80% from net income of $5.1 million in the same period a year earlier.

Total revenue for fourth quarter 2014 was $72.4 million, a decrease of 3% from $74.3 million.

Jackson, Miss. – Fast-casual restaurant chain Newk's Eatery is expanding to Columbia, South Carolina, as part of growth plans that include nearly 30 new corporate and franchised stores in 2015. The Columbia expansion is in partnership with its newest franchisees, Chris and Pam Corn.

The Corns will open their first Newk's in City Market in the Vista in late 2015 and have plans to open two additional locations in Columbia and the surrounding area.

Amazon.com is looking to push farther into the category of high-end couture, according to a new report from Bloomberg.

The news service reports that Amazon has been embracing more profitable designer fashion by selling clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories from pricey brands with luxe reputations.

Earlier this year it was announced that the Internet retailer will be a sponsor of New York Fashion Week this summer. Amazon reportedly also signed a multiyear deal this month to sponsor India Fashion Week, according to Women's Wear Daily.

Nuremberg, Germany – Some observers have suggested the practice of consumers using their mobile devices to check prices at rival retailers while in a store, is on the wane. However, a survey of mobile phone users in 23 countries (including the U.S.) from GfK found 40% compare prices at other retailers while in a store.

Forty percent also contact a friend or family member for advice, while 36% take pictures of products that they might buy.

Walgreens is opening a massive new store, the drug chain's 15th flagship, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The new store is 35,000-plus feet and is Walgreens' 12th store on Oahu and 18th in Hawaii.

The store also boasts culturally inspired design reflective of elements of traditional Hawaiian architecture, as well as components of the natural landscape.