News

TOPEKA, Kan. -- Payless ShoeSource announced that Andrew Meyer has been named SVP and general merchandise manager for Payless' women's and accessories businesses, reporting to LuAnn Via, president and CEO of Payless.

New York City -- Leonard Green & Partners is expected to make an opening-round offer on Wednesday for BJ’s Wholesale Club, the New York Post reported, citing unidentified people familiar with the matter.

Bidders picked for the second round will probably be asked to make binding offers by the end of May, the newspaper said.

PHILADELPHIA  -- Elaine Rubin, a retail industry vet who co-founded and chaired Shop.org, a division of the National Retail Federation, is taking her expertise in Internet retailing to Monetate, a leading independent provider of testing, targeting, and personalization for websites. Rubin joins Monetate as a member of the company's strategic advisory board.  

WASHINGTON – Retail sales increased 0.4% last month, the Commerce Department said Wednesday, buoyed by rising gasoline revenue. The gain in March, the ninth consecutive monthly increase, was the smallest since the string began last summer.

The increase shrank to a 0.1% when sales at gasoline stations were excluded. However, the biggest decline in auto sales in more than a year also pulled down overall sales. When taking out sales at gas station and of autos, retail sales rose 0.6%.

Forest City Commercial Management in partnership with social shopping network, Shoptopia, kicked off Project Style, the award-winning fashion competition for guys and girls ages 13 and up. From April through August, Forest City shopping centers nationwide will select two fashion trendsetters for each center each round, during a five-round contest, to put their sense of style and fashion to the test by creating the ultimate outfit.