News

Kohl’s taps former Best Buy exec as chief marketer
Kohl’s Cos. has a new chief marketer. The retailer on Monday named former Best Buy marketing executive Greg Revelle as chief marketing officer. He will be responsible for Kohl’s marketing organization and overall marketing strategy, including its focus on driving customer engagement through analytics, enhancing the loyalty platform, accelerating customer traffic and continuing to build Kohl’s overall brand position. Revelle will report to Michelle Gass, chief merchandising and customer officer.
Salons get makeover at J.C. Penney
J.C. Penney extending its commitment to beauty and related services. The retailer said Monday that 50 additional salon locations will be rebranded to The Salon by Instyle this year, as the company continues to revamp its 750 salons nationwide. Key design elements of the new concept include updated graphics, photography that highlights hair trends, accent lighting, modern fixtures and sleek furniture. Each salon offers an array of services from haircuts to hair treatments to extensions.

Department store retailer enters new market

Von Maur has opened its first location in Wisconsin. The family-owned company opened a 150,000-sq.-ft. store at The Corners of Brookfield in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Von Maur has been expanding with its eye on a national footprint. After expanding beyond its Midwestern footprint in 2011 with the opening of its first location in Georgia, Von Maur has since grown in additional new states including New York, Alabama and Oklahoma.
Consumer electronics retailer to close all stores

The going-out-of-business sales have started at Hhgregg. The bankrupt retailer began liquidating its assets on Saturday, April 8, after failing to find a buyer. The chain said it expects to close all of its 220 stores by the end of May.
Detroit power center changes hands

Shelby Crossings, a 76,390-sq.-ft. power center in the Detroit suburb of Utica, has been acquired by Beverly Hills, Michigan-based Grand Management & Development. Mid-America Real Estate Corp., which represented the seller in the transaction, could not disclose the price. The property features the Bed Bath & Beyond subsidiaries Christmas Tree Shops and BuyBuy Baby, and is surrounded by a larger regional center anchored by Target and Planet Fitness.
Report: Gaming retailer targeted by hackers

GameStop is the newest data breach victim. The gaming retailer is investigating reports that hackers may have siphoned credit card and customer data from its website, according to security news firm KrebsonSecurity.
Forever 21 in big rollout of sister banner

Forever 21 announced a major expansion of its F21 Red division. The fast-fashion retailer plans to open more than 40 F21 stores across the United States in 2017. The first three are scheduled to open in April, in San Antonio, Texas; Bronx, New York, and Chicago. New locations will continue to open throughout the year in key cities, bringing the brand’s total store count to more than seventy locations by year-end.
Footwear retailer makes global debut with new flagship in Toronto

Footaction opened the doors to its newest flagship store — its first outside of the United States. The store, which is located in the Toronto Eaton Centre in Canada, features 6,500 square-feet of premium retail space. Presenting a unique layout, the new Footaction store is organized largely by brand, rather than by product category — a move that enhances the customer shopping experience.
Stage Stores closes Gordmans deal

Stage Stores is officially adding Gordmans stores to its portfolio. Stage Stores closed on its previously announced acquisition of selected assets of Gordmans Stores, the Omaha, Nebraska-based department store chain that filed for Chapter 11 on March 13.
Report: Eastern Outfitters LLC seeks speedy store closures

Eastern Outfitters could soon be adding to the surge of store closings among U.S. retailers. The company won a court order on Thursday, April 6, for an expedited hearing on its plan to shutter 48 of the 86 stores its operates under the Bob's Stores and Eastern Mountain Sports brands, according to Reuters.