News

Strongsville, Ohio -- The International Retail User Group, formerly the IBM Retail User Group, said Tuesday that the organization’s name has been officially changed to the “International Retail User Group.”

Purchase, N.Y. -- A report released Wednesday by MasterCard Advisors, the professional services arm of MasterCard in partnership with Wells Fargo, found that spending at small retailers in October slowed to an increase of 4.2% year over year, down from a 5.8% growth rate in September.

This was the slowest year-over-year growth rate for smaller retailers in 2012, falling below the growth rate of total U.S. retail sales by one percentage point.        

By Victor Ho, CEO, FiveStars

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation on Wednesday urged President Obama and Congress to come up with a plan to avoid the “fiscal cliff” by Thanksgiving, saying uncertainty over the pending combination of tax hikes and spending cuts threatens consumer confidence during the holiday shopping season that begins on Black Friday.

The busiest shopping weekend of the year is just around the corner and retailers who don’t hit their sales plan won’t be able to blame the weather.

Melville, N.Y. -- A&G Realty Partners said Tuesday it has been retained by Charming Shoppes to exclusively manage the resolution of all remaining Fashion Bug real estate leases in the United States.

On June 14, Ascena Retail Group acquired Charming Shoppes and announced plans to cease operating and close down the Fashion Bug arm by early 2013.

"We're pleased to be working with A&G Realty Partners to wind down our remaining Fashion Bug store leases,” said Jonathon Graub, executive VP real estate, Charming Shoppes.

Framingham, Mass. -- TJX Cos. reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended Oct. 27 rose to $461.5 million, from $406.5 million last year.

Sales rose 10.7% to $6.41 billion; same-store sales climbed 7%.

The parent to T.J. Maxx and Marshalls said it expects same-store sales during the holiday quarter to be flat to up 2%.

By Craig Johnson, [email protected]