Sales at U.S. retailers rose more than expected in November as consumers splurged on clothing and other items at the start of the holiday season and receipts at gasoline stations surged, more evidence the economic recovery gathered steam in the fourth quarter. Get the full story »
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Illinois to offer amnesty on online shopping taxes
Illinoisans can often dodge sales taxes by shopping online, but the state of Illinois is hoping to collect on those taxes next year by offering a sales tax amnesty.
A new law allows people who didn’t pay sales tax on items bought online, through the mail or over the phone between June 20, 2004, and the end of 2010 to pay what they owe without penalty. The tax amnesty runs from Jan. 1 through Oct. 15. Get the full story »
Amazon: Web problem due to hardware, not hackers
Internet retailer Amazon is denying that pro-WikiLeaks hackers were responsible for the failure of its Web sites in several European countries. Amazon sites were offline for about half an hour in Britain, France, Germany and other countries late Sunday, leading to speculation they could have been targeted by online “hacktivists.” Get the full story »
Walgreen Co. warns about unauthorized e-mails
Customers subscribing to Walgreen Co.’s e-mail distribution list should be on the look-out for spam directing them to another site and then asking for personal data.
According to a company spokesman, Walgreens became aware of “unauthorized access” to its e-mail list, “about a week ago,” and began notifying subscribers this morning. Get the full story »
TJX closing A.J. Wright stores, laying off 4,400
TJX Cos. says it is shuttering its A.J. Wright discount stores, cutting 4,400 jobs and converting the stores to other brands such as T.J. Maxx.
According to a company spokeswoman, the Chicago area has 11 A.J. Wright stores now slated for conversion to T.J. Maxx, Marshalls or HomeGoods. Eleven other A.J. Wright stores that will close. Get the full story »
Report: Target close to deal for former Carson’s
From the Chicago Sun-Times | Target is in the final stages of talks for a deal to anchor the former Carson Pirie Scott store at 1 S. State, a Chicago landmark designed by Louis Sullivan. Target has been interested in the old Carson’s building, now called Sullivan Center, for months. Two sources said a lease is close to be completed, but details could not be learned. Get the full story>>
Consumers offered tips for safe online shopping
The Consumer Federation of America on Thursday offered advice for online shoppers to keep their wallets and identities safe this holiday season.
“Unfortunately, there are scam artists and some less-than-honest retailers that take advantage of unwary buyers,” Susan Grant, CFA director of consumer protection, said during a news conference Thursday morning. Get the full story »
Groupon teams up with Tribune shopping site
Chicago-based Groupon.com, the fast-growing social networking site that offers its users daily discounts to businesses in their individual markets, has entered into a partnership with Chicago Tribune Media Group’s recently launched e-commerce site.
Wal-Mart gets lease deal on North Side store
From Chicago Real Estate Daily | Retail giant Wal-Mart has a deal to lease about 30,000 square feet in a three-level retail center in the Lakeview neighborhood, according to Crain’s. The North Side store would be Wal-Mart’s first in an affluent neighborhood in Chicago.
Reddish-pink hot color for 2011 products, clothing
A yogurt machine in honeysuckle. (AP)
It may be gray outside when the calendar flips to 2011, but a bright red-pink hue will be in fashion. “Honeysuckle” is the color of 2011 chosen by Pantone Color Institute, the research arm of Pantone Inc., the company that largely sets color standards for the fashion and home industries.
The reddish pink shade lights a fire to your senses and revs you up, says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. And it’s much livelier than 2010’s color of the year: turquoise. Get the full story »
ComScore: Online holiday sales hit $17.5 billion
U.S. online holiday sales are up 12 percent to more than $17.5 billion till date this year, with more than half of that making use of free shipping, according to research firm comScore Inc. Get the full story »
Mayor proposes tax break for 2nd Chicago Costco
From the Chicago Sun-Times | Mayor Richard Daley is proposing a property tax break to bring a secod Costco to Chicago, this time to the Near South Side at 14th and Ashland Avenue. Daley said the project would create 600 construction jobs, 125 full-time jobs and 125 part-time positions. — in a move that could set a precedent for Wal-Mart and other big-box retailers. Costco currently has a store on Clybourn and Division in Lincoln Park. Get the full story>>
Grocery, eatery replacing Old Orchard food court
Rendering of planned grocery and eatery. (Richtree)
Westfield Old Orchard mall in Skokie has demolished its old food court and is in the process of building a high end eating area with a variety of organic, sustainable, and artisan options as well as a grocery. It’s expected to open next summer.
“Our new open kitchens and natural market experience will reflect the ever-growing sophistication and culinary awareness of our customers,” Deborah Mattes, senior general manager of Old Orchard. Get the full story »
Court to hear Wal-Mart discrimination appeal
The Supreme Court will consider throwing out a massive lawsuit that claims Wal-Mart pays women less than men and promotes women less frequently.
The justices stepped into a case Monday that could involve 500,000 to 1.5 million women who work or once worked at the world’s largest private employer. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. calls it the largest employment class action in history.
Park Forest Marshall Field’s bricks to be sold
The old Marshall Field’s department store in Park Forest will soon be a pile of rubble, but small pieces will live on through a special sale of bricks from the long-shuttered landmark. The Park Forest Historical Society is selling single bricks from the two-story store, once an anchor of Park Forest Plaza and the centerpiece of one of the nation’s first regional shopping malls.
