RETAILERS ESTIMATE HOLIDAY RETURN FRAUD WILL COST THEM $3.4 BILLION, ACCORDING TO NRF SURVEY 
By Bethany Aronhalt & Kathy Grannis, National Retail Federation, December 5, 2013
As one of the most serious, but often most misunderstood, retail loss prevention issues, return costs retailers billions of dollars every year. read more

GIANT EAGLE OPENS ITS FIRST MARKET DISTRICT EXPRESS 
By Teresa F. Lindeman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 4, 2013 
If Giant Eagle's foodie-oriented, upscale version of its grocery stores had a fling with one of its better-dressed Get-Go convenience stores, the result might be the Market District Express. read more  

MATTRESS FIRM ACQUIRING 44 STORES IN TWO DEALS

DEAL COVERS MATTRESS PEOPLE IN OMAHA, PLUS PERFECT MATTRESS 
By Larry Thomas, Furniture Today, December 5, 2013 
HOUSTON - Top 100 retailer Mattress Firm said it has acquired a five-store bedding specialty chain in Nebraska and has agreed to buy a Wisconsin-based franchisee that operates 39 stores. read more  

STRUGGLING SEARS TO SPIN OFF LANDS' END CLOTHING BUSINESS 
By Maria Ajit Thomas and Aditi Shrivastrava, Chicago Tribune, December 6, 2013 
(Reuters) - Eddie Lampert-controlled Sears Holding Corp said it would spin off its Lands' End clothing business, adding to the assets the company is shedding as it struggles with mounting operating losses and declining sales. read more 

LUCKY BRAND JEANS SOLD FOR $225 MILLION TO LEONARD GREEN 
By Matt Townsend, Bloomberg, December 10, 2013 
Fifth & Pacific Cos. (FNP) agreed to sell its Lucky Brand Jeans division to private-equity firm Leonard Green & Partners LP for $225 million, part of a plan to divest assets and focus on the Kate Spade label. read more  

RESTAURANT GIFT CARDS GAIN FAVOR WITH CONSUMERS 
By Ron Ruggless, Nation's Restaurant News, December 3, 2013 
Consumers are increasingly looking to restaurant gift cards for holiday giving, with several brands in particular climbing up the wish-lish ladder, according to a recent survey. read more  

RETAILER PRODUCTIVITY & DEVELOPMENT OUTLOOK REPORT 
By Keith Hamilton, PNC Real Estate, November 2013
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WESTFIELD BUYS REMAINING INTEREST IN WORLD TRADE CENTER RETAIL FOR $800 MILLION 
By John McCurdy, Shopping Center Business, December 5, 2013  
New York City - The Westfield Group has taken full control of the World Trade Center retail project by buying the 50 percent interest in the project.... read more 

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