News

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc.'s online shop, Piperlime, will make its retail store debut this fall, at 121 Wooster St. in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City.

The new 4,000 sq. ft. Piperlime store will offer a similar curated assortment as online, the company said. Styled as a boutique, the store will feature the best range of coveted, iconic brands like Milly, Frye and Citizens of Humanity as well as little known finds including Tinley Road, Ash and Maison Scotch.

SALT LAKE CITY — Walmart and Sam's Club is offering customers and members the opportunity support the Children's Miracle Network. Now through June 15, Walmart customers and Sam's Club members can make a donation of any amount at the retailers' registers to support the Children's Miracle Network Hospital in their community.

Reston, Va. -- Online U.S. retail spending reached $44.3 billion in first quarter 2012, up 17% versus a year ago, according to comScore’s Q1 2012 Retail survey. It was the tenth consecutive quarter of positive year-over-year growth and sixth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth.

In other findings, 38% of tablet owners have made a purchase on their devices within the past month. Apparel was the most popular category for purchase among tablet shoppers.

Indianapolis -- Marsh Supermarkets said that Joe Kelley, chairman, president and CEO, has left the company to become president of Stop & Shop's New England division. Marsh named COO Bill Holsworth as interim CEO, effective immediately.

At Stop & Shop, Kelley succeeds Mark McGowan, who was promoted to executive VP supply chain, Ahold USA. Both appointments are effective May 21.
 

San Jose, Calif. -- VeriFone Systems announced that New Balance and Samsonite have selected VeriFone GlobalBay's mobile point-of-sale solution.

The solution is designed to make it possible engage the customer in a more meaningful way by untethering the store associate from a fixed location POS register to provide mobile checkout at the point of interaction where its really needed. VeriFone GlobalBay apps also provide store associates with access to inventory, price and product information, as well as customer purchase history and recommendations.

That’s not a bad headline leading into RECon 2012 next week in Las Vegas. Not that I can take credit for the verbiage; “Regional malls alive and kicking” is a report issued Tuesday by SNL Real Estate, Charlottesville, Va.

Chicago-based General Growth Properties is taking steps toward reducing the carbon footprint of four New Jersey-area malls by outfitting them with state-of-the-art solar panels.

Bridgewater Commons (shown here), Paramus Park, Willowbrook Mall and Woodbridge Center will in total be equipped with 20,000 5.1 megawatt panels that will provide an estimated 12% of the properties’ energy needs.

Atlanta -- Women’s fashion retailer Aritzia has chosen to roll out RedPrairie Corp.'s supply chain execution solutions in its 80,000-sq.-ft. distribution center in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Cincinnati -- Macy's Inc. reported a better-than-expected 38% increase in its first-quarter profit as the chain continues to benefit from its move to target its offerings to local markets. However, the retailer disappointed the Street by failing to up its guidance for the year.

Macy's said that its net income rose to $181 million for the three-month period ended April 28, up from $131 million a year ago.

Revenue increased 4.3% to $6.14 billion, from $5.89 billion a year ago. Same-store sales were up 4.4%.

Union, N.J. -- Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. said that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Cost Plus in an all cash transaction. The deal is valued at some $495 million, according to Reuters.

Based in Oakland, Calif., Cost Plus currently operates 259 stores under the names World Market, Cost Plus World Market, Cost Plus Imports, and World Market Stores in 30 states.