News

Southampton locals rally behind shopping center
Some 100 locals from tony Southampton, New York, gathered outside Town Hall yesterday to show their support for the building of a grocery-anchored center in the Tuckahoe neighborhood, according to Newsday. Demonstrators wearing “Yes Tuckahoe Shopping Center” T-shirts argued that the King Kullen supermarket proposed for the project would give them easier access to affordable groceries.
Grocery chain shifts to end-to-end supply chain systems
Disparate systems have no place in the age of “on demand” shopping. To continue serving its increasingly demanding shoppers — and fuel its continued expansion — Smart & Final is replacing its homegrown solutions with an integrated end-to-end merchandising, planning and execution solution from JDA Software Group.

Specialty game retailer files Chapter 11

Apparently mind-challenging games and puzzles weren’t big on holiday lists last year. Marbles: The Brain Store has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, with plans to close its 37 stores, reported The Chicago Tribune. In its filing, the Chicago-based retailer cited a "dramatic downturn" in its 2016 holiday business that left it short on cash.
Pay with Amazon volume nearly doubled in 2016

More customers are making digital payments through Pay with Amazon. In 2016, more than 33 million customers have used Amazon Payments to make a purchase, according to the retailer.
Check out Barneys’ new window displays

Just days after it named its first-ever female CEO, Barneys is devoting the window displays at its uptown and downtown Manhattan flagships to an initiative celebrating women’s empowerment. The windows are part of a new campaign launched by the Barneys New York Foundation, the charitable arm of the luxury specialty retailer. Entitled “We Will Be,” the initiative will run through the end of February to coincide with New York Fashion Week.
Dick’s Sporting Goods to take former Sears space at Capital City Mall

Dick’s Sporting Goods will be relocating one of its stores in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, metro to space formerly inhabited by Sears at PREIT’s Capital City Mall.
Apple to double size of Fifth Avenue flagship

Apple is going really big in Manhattan. The retailer is expanding its flagship at the General Motors building on Fifth Avenue from its current 32,000-sq.-ft. to over 77,000 sq. ft. The Apple space is renowned for the glass cube located on the street level. While the store is undergoing the expansion, Apple has temporarily moved into a space in the building that was formerly occupied by FAO Schwarz.
North Face exec joins Wolverine

Wolverine World Wide announced the appointment of Todd Spaletto as president of the Wolverine outdoor and lifestyle group. Spaletto will lead the growth of the Merrell, Chaco, CAT, Hush Puppies, and Sebago brands around the world. He brings 23 years of experience in branded apparel and footwear, and most recently served as president of The North Face, where he led the growth of this industry-leading global brand for six years.
Tiffany CEO out

On the heels of disappointing financial results, Tiffany & Co. said that Frederic Cumenal has stepped down as CEO, effective immediately. Cumenal, who had run the company since April 2015, is being succeeded on an interim basis by chairman and former CEO Michael Kowalski, while the company searches for a permanent replacement.
Abercrombie set to unveil new, more ‘inclusive’ store prototype

For the first time in more than 15 years, Abercrombie & Fitch is launching a new store format for its namesake banner.