Retail

Washington, D.C. – Assorted advocacy groups and professional associations, including the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Merchant Financial Cyber Partnership, are urging the White House to take steps to improve cybersecurity for retail transactions. The public call comes as President Obama convenes a daylong Cybersecurity Summit at Stanford University on Feb. 13. The summit, which will include a keynote speech by the president, is part of a renewed drive to combat cyber hackers.

Retail sales will accelerate in 2015 and grow at the fastest pace since 2011, according to a recent forecast from the National Retail Federation.

The trade group said Retail sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) will increase 4.1% in 2015, up from 3.5% in 2014. The increase would mark the biggest annual growth since 2011 when retail sales for the year increased 5.1%. Non-store sales in 2015 are expected to grow between 7% and 10%.

New York -- On Valentine’s Day weekend and continuing into the following week, cold temperatures will hold a grip on virtually all markets from the Rockies to the East Coast of North America, with most markets trending much below normal, according to business weather intelligence firm Planalytics. The cold will drive winter clearance sales while limiting demand for spring seasonal categories.

Charlotte, N.C. -- Crescent Communities has unveiled plans for a mixed-use, transit-oriented development that will bring Uptown Charlotte its first Whole Foods Market. The company’s plans for the 5.4-acre site at the Lynx Light Rail’s Stonewall Station, in Charlotte, North Carolina, define a new model of urban living for the area and complement its Tryon Place mixed-use development to redefine the city’s Stonewall corridor.

Interest in basketball heats up in February with the NBA playoffs around the corner and March Madness set to soon begin. To capitalize on the action, Foot Locker is out with a new spot featuring Kyrie Irving as part of its, “It Must Be February,” campaign.

The 30-second spot, titled "Acting," also stars Ice-T and opens with Irving showing off his latest KYRIE 1 signature Nike kicks, noting that fresh colors will be debuting at Foot Locker stores nationwide throughout the month of February. 

Laurel, Md. -- Greenberg Gibbons announced that Carter’s and OshKosh B’Gosh are opening a combined store at Towne Centre at Laurel, the new $130 million destination on Route 1 in Laurel, Maryland.

Carter’s and OshKosh B’Gosh will open a 7,077-sq.-ft. store in April 2015.  

A few years ago, the Fitbit exploded onto the wearables market, and the idea that you could track your physical data throughout the day became the latest fad for health buffs.

Los Angeles -- Stitch, a new concept in clothing alterations and design services, has opened a flagship in West Hollywood, California, with plans to expand across the nation.  

The store combines a comfortable atmosphere, quality tailoring, a fast turnaround and real-time text/email updates on garment progress. It also features a lounge decorated with for-sale paintings by local artists, and a rotating pop-up boutique with clothing for sale.