News

Target Corp. is entering the mobile payments arena.       Following similar moves by such competitors as Walmart and Kohl’s, the discounter plans to introduce mobile payment features to one or more of its own apps, according to a report by Recode.   

Kevin Scott is joining Microsoft in the newly created role of chief technology officer (CTO).   Scott most recently served senior VP of infrastructure at LinkedIn, which Microsoft purchased in June for $26 billion.   

Cinemark and XD will be upgrading all 16 of its auditoriums at CooperTowne Center in Somerdale, New Jersey.    The renovated theaters will include electric-powered, oversized recliners, and movie-goers will be able to reserve them ahead of time via computer or smartphone. XD theaters feature wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling screen with enhanced JBL sound systems.  

Luxury Brand Holdings, parent company of Ross-Simons and Sidney Thomas, has appointed James M. Speltz as president.    Speltz will join the company’s board and oversee all business activities. Most recently, he was COO for Teikametrics, a software and service provider to Amazon.com third-party merchants.  

The CEO of Lane Bryant has stepped down just four months after receiving a big promotion.      Linda Heasley has resigned as chief executive of plus-sized apparel retailers Lane Bryant and Catherines, which are owned by Ascena Retail, The New York Post reported. Heasley was appointed CEO of Lane Bryant in 2013, after a successful six year stint as chief executive of The Limited. She was given the additional title of CEO of Catherines this past October as part of a company reorganization.    

On pace to double its online business for fiscal 2016, apparel retailer J. Lindeberg is ready to take control of its e-commerce destiny.    The company, known for its men's and women's fashion and golf apparel and accessories, recently launched in Canada, and now has its sights set on digital expansion into North and South America. At the core of this expansion is bringing its operating platform in-house.  

Eloquii, a fashion-forward online apparel retailer for women sizes 14 to 28, plans to test a physical store.   The retailer plans to open a “concept shop” in Fashion Centre at Pentagon City in Arlington, Va., Women’s Wear Daily reported. The 2,600-sq.-ft. store is scheduled to open in March.     Although only a three-month lease was signed, Eloquii executives see the store as a test to determine the potential for a brick-and-mortar strategy, the report said.

Pep Boys has added 130 stores to its portfolio.   The company has purchased Just Brakes, a privately held an automotive repair and maintenance chain, increasing the number of Pep Boys auto service locations to over 900 locations.