Sales & Marketing

By Stephen Metivier, TD Bank

Staten Island Mall announced that the 1.2-million-sq.-ft. property will undergo a much anticipated multi-million dollar redevelopment that will add interior and exterior upgrades, new fashion retailers, restaurants, a Fairway Market and public piazza for guests to gather and enjoy events year-round, including a farmers market, holiday festivities, fashion shows and community fundraisers.

Enhancements also include the ability for Macy’s to expand.

Las Vegas -- The boards of directors of A.R.E. (the Association for Retail Environments) and POPAI (Point of Purchase Advertising International) have voted to enter a due diligence phase and work in good faith toward a definitive agreement to merge the two associations.

At their respective board meetings held during GlobalShop in Las Vegas this week, both not-for-profit groups agreed to a preliminary framework that will allow them to better serve their members and advance the industry as a combined organization.

Christopher & Banks Corp.

Facebook is aiming to revolutionize the way customers communicate with retailers by re-inventing the customer service platform.

The tech giant is inviting retailers and other companies to develop software that allows customers to communicate instantly with them through Facebook Messenger. Facebook and its partner Zendesk, a customer service platform firm, are teaming up to allow businesses to provide scalable and responsive customer service to the more than 600 million people worldwide who use Messenger.

Pittsburgh -- American Eagle Outfitters is expanding its global retail presence with a series of licensed stores throughout Chile and Peru, building on existing growth markets throughout the region, including Colombia, Panama and the Caribbean, as well as company owned stores in Mexico.

The company has signed a multi-year license agreement with Eurofashion Limitada, a leading Chilean company and division of the Cencosud S.A. Group specialized in developing national and international fashion brands.

Sam’s Club’s newest credit card program has been recognized as an innovator in the fast-changing world of payment technology.

Sam’s Club’s 5-3-1 card earned a Gold Medal in the Best Comeback Story category in the PYMNTS.com 2015 Innovator Awards.