News

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. — Ahead of the toy industry's annual convention this February, The NPD Group has reported that U.S. retail sales of toys generated $21.18 billion in 2011 compared with $21.68 billion in 2010, a decline of 2%. 

San Francisco -- Digital shopping solution-provider Fluid Inc. said Tuesday that it has been selected by Brooks Brothers to leverage Fluid Configure, its product customization platform, to offer its online shoppers custom-tailored shirts and suits.

Brooks Brothers will leverage the technology to create a personalized and engaging shopping experience that will enable customers to tailor product to their exact fit and style preferences.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s Department Stores announced that it has partnered with fashion designer Dana Buchman for an exclusive line of Kohl's Cares cause merchandise. The product line includes apparel, accessories and gifts, which can be found in all 40 Wisconsin Kohl’s stores and online at Kohls.com, with 100% of the net profit donated to support the fight against breast cancer. The collection is available now through the end of April.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Food Marketing Institute on Monday honored three supermarket executives for their achievements in the industry during FMI’s Midwinter Executive Conference here, the association announced.

NEW YORK — Macy's announced that it is celebrating Black History Month this February by honoring the 100th anniversary of the birth of artist Romare Bearden.

New York City -- The Talbots is in buyout talks with the private-equity firm Sycamore Partners, according to the Boston Herald. The retailer signed a confidentiality agreement on Friday with the New York-based Sycamore, its second largest shareholder with 10% of the company, according to documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the report said.

It was a record year for online sales this past holiday season, but Target saw others experience stronger growth, according to the most recent site visitation statistics from online measurement firm comScore.

As previously reported, the size of the prize this holiday season was $37.2 billion. That’s the volume of online sales comScore recorded during November and December, which was a 15% increase from the prior year.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears announced that it has partnered with H&R Block to launch a new website dedicated to helping consumers prepare for tax season.