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For those of you who watch the Super Bowl for the commercials, feast your eyes on this: H&M's game day ad starring a nearly naked David Beckham. The soccer star strips down in the first television spot for his bodywear line, which hits H&M shelves on Feb. 2.

Wal-Mart certainly has taken a step back from its heritage with the revelation that it's removing greeters from the graveyard shifts at its U.S. supercenters, in the first reversal of a 30-year-old tradition that helped define what the folksy chain was all about in its early years.

Major retailers and the National Retail Federation say they plan ahead to accommodate for the manufacturing shutdown in China during the Chinese New Year. Companies like Macy's and The Container Store make changes to their production and shipping schedules to ensure they have enough goods to get them through the trough caused by the factory closures.

Trans World Entertainment, the parent company of FYE and Suncoast, is closing an additional 52 stores after a drop in sales this past holiday season. Trans World has closed more than 550 stores since 2006 and will have 390 stores left after this latest round of closings.

Pep Boys has agreed to go private in an acquisition by Gores Group valued at about $791 million after the auto parts retailer's previous attempts to sell itself were unsuccessful.

Looking to sell itself, Talbots opened its books to Sycamore Partners in a move that could lead to the private equity firm raising its original buyout offer, which was snubbed by the women's apparel chain last month. Earlier this month, people familiar with the matter told Reuters that Talbots — which is also looking for a new leader — had started actively soliciting offers and private-equity firm Golden Gate Capital was considering a bid for the company.

Use of mobile devices is becoming the norm, particularly among luxury shoppers, according to Denise Incandela, president and chief marketing officer of Saks Direct at Saks Fifth Avenue. "Therefore, brands should make their in-store experiences more mobile friendly."

Washington, D.C. -- The International Council of Shopping Centers announced Tuesday the launch of a new website devoted to sales tax fairness and how the current sales tax system is unable to support the 21st Century retail marketplace. The site, 21stcenturyretail.org, will be continuously updated to provide the public, stakeholders, the media and lawmakers with information on the online sales tax loophole and resources to help level the playing field for all retailers, according to ICSC. “Online retailers have been given a free pass for far too long at the expense of their brick-and-mortar counterparts," said Betsy Laird, ICSC

Overstock.com has set the stage for another auction of its returned merchandise. More than 600 potential bidders registered for a similar auction conducted in December. It generated in excess of $150,000 for Overstock.com, with the average price paid for a pallet at around $500.

Apple has hired former Dixons' CEO John Browett to head up its retail operations in the U.S., prompting a restructure at the U.K. electricals chain. Browett will take on the role of senior vice president of retail at Apple, replacing Ron Johnson who left last year.