Store Systems

Dallas -- Neiman Marcus said Thursday that it is testing a new iPhone-only app that allows customers to interact directly with their sales associates.

The new app, NM Service, is being tested in four stores this spring — in Austin, Texas; Dallas; San Francisco; and Palo Alto, Calif.

New York City -- Women’s apparel retailer Cache Inc. said Thursday that it has partnered with e-commerce solution provider FiftyOne Global Ecommerce to facilitate international sales and shipments to more than 100 countries, beginning in fall 2012.

By Laura Marriott, [email protected]

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. said Thursday that it has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star program’s highest honor: the Energy Star Corporate Commitment Award.

The award was given in recognition of Sears leadership in energy efficiency and commitment to continuous improvements. Sears is the fifth corporation to earn the distinction in the EPA's history, and is the first company to receive the award since 2005.

Green Bay Wis. -- General merchandise retailers Shopko Stores and Pamida announced Thursday the completion of their previously announced merger that will create a $3 billion company that serves largely rural communities in 22 states.

The combined entity will retain the Shopko name. Shopko will be headquartered in Green Bay and Pamida’s corporate headquarters in Omaha, Neb., will be consolidated into the Green Bay office over the next several months.

Petaluma, Calif. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it will begin construction of East Washington Place, a 378,000-sq.-ft. community center anchored by Target.

Located in Petaluma, Calif., the new development is strategically located at the intersection of two main arterial roads, East Washington Street and Highway 101, with daily traffic counts in excess of 92,000. Regency Centers will invest approximately $61 million into the project, which will create approximately 380 construction jobs and 720 permanent jobs.

Youngstown, Ohio -- Cafaro Co. announced that it will make Me-Ality (Measured Reality) available at its South Hill Mall, in Puyallup, Wash., and Eastwood Mall, in Niles, Ohio.

Me-Ality is a free service that uses cutting-edge technology to precisely determine a customer’s exact body measurement and provide a list of recommendations of where to find the best-fitting apparel to flatter that body.

Eden Prairie, Minn. -- Supervalu announced the launch of a custom-built mobile application designed to give customers the tools they need to be efficient while shopping our stores.