aggregatedcontent

Ann Taylor Stores plans to significantly expand its factory outlet footprint in 2011, approximately 35 Loft Outlet Stores and five Ann Taylor Factory Stores. To accelerate expansion, the retailer is taking advantage of locations at leading factory outlet centers across the United States formerly occupied by Liz Claiborne.The 40 new outlet stores, expected to open in second quarter 2011, will generate incremental fiscal 2011 revenue of approximately $75 million and to be accretive to its fiscal 2011 earnings per share. Capital expenditures associated with the openings are expected to be approximately $25 million in fiscal 2011.Kay Krill, Ann Taylor's

CVS Caremark said Thursday it will eliminate 300 employees who work in customer support and other operations to reduce corporate costs. The job cuts affect staffers across the country, but more than half are at the company's customer support center at its headquarters in Woonsocket, R.I., according to an emailed statement from a company spokesman. The jobs eliminated do not include store staff. "We have been looking for ways to improve productivity while reducing costs and maintaining customer satisfaction," CVS spokesman Mike DeAngelis says.

Best Buy on Thursday announced the expansion of Magnolia, the company’s premium home entertainment and electronics brand, in California. The company will open in-store Magnolia Design Centers this week in two Best Buy stores in San Francisco. And two Magnolia Design Centers, in Best Buy stores in Roseville and San Carlos, opened their doors for business in recent weeks as well.The new Magnolia Design Center showrooms located within Best Buy locations include a fully functioning theater, great room and an outdoor living space. Within the space are lifestyle vignettes that focus on rooms throughout the home. For example, the

The University of Pennsylvania on Thursday announced a $15 million gift from Patty and Jay H. Baker to permanently endow the Jay H. Baker Retailing Center. a retail industry research center at the university’s Wharton SchoolJay Baker, 56, is a member of the Wharton Board of Overseers and retired president and director of Kohl’s Corp.

An affiliate of Boston-based store liquidation specialist Gordon Brothers Group LLC will bring plus-size women's apparel retailer Urban Brands Inc. out of bankruptcy, saving at least 175 of the chain’s 210 stores, according to Bloomberg.com. GB Merchant Partners, the affiliate, has won an auction for the company, which operates under the Ashley Stewart brand. GB Merchant will pay $15.7 in cash and assume some liabilities, according to GB Merchant Partners company attorney Mark D. Collins. Urban Brands, based in Secaucus, N.J., filed for bankruptcy on Sept. 21, citing the recession and listing debt of $100 million to $500 million,

The year’s most popular discount shopping event, referring to the Friday after Thanksgiving, is arriving ahead of Halloween this year, with some promotions beginning this week and others throughout November.

In anticipation of the holiday shopping season, retailers have begun to tout their plans and promotions. Kohl's has launched its national marketing campaign, "Give, Save and Be Merry!," which will include weekly sales on select items and categories, exclusive benefits to those who use a Kohl's charge card, cash promotions (i.e. $10 for every $50 spent) and discounts on direct-to-retail brands such as Simply Vera Vera Wang, LC Conrad, Food Network, Elle Contemporary Collection and others. The retailer's Christmas Kick-Off Sale will begin on Nov. 10. At Sears, Black Friday doorbuster deals will be available beginning today. The special

Target Corp., the mass merchandiser with about 1,750 stores nationwide, for months has been shortchanging its customers who use certain manufacturers’ coupons by crediting them for a fraction of their face value.

Greenville-based Delta Apparel Inc. said retailers have taken a cautious approach to stocking holiday inventories. Additionally, the company said increased investments in growth cut into its fiscal first-quarter profit.

Pop-up stores have gone wacky. Maybe it's the holiday hype. Maybe it's the improved economy. Or maybe it's a new recognition that many pop-ups — temporary stores open for just a few months — operate in the black.