FREEPORT (AP) — U.S. retailer L.L. Bean is looking to sell more parkas, sweaters, flannel and mittens in Canada as part of its strategy for a return to sales growth. The 106-year-old retailer’s iconic boot and other products will be sold in 24 stores in Canada this holiday season, and in L.L. Bean-branded stores opening […]
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Posted inBusiness
Why Halloween pop-ups suddenly possess so many dead retail spaces
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — The cavernous remains of this H.H. Gregg are, in festive fashion, loosely disguised as a Spirit Halloween store. Its insides are lined with haunted houses and rusty water towers (both made of flimsy cardboard) and robots with leering pumpkin heads. The walls of costumes almost distract from signage of the store’s […]
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Mattress Firm files for bankruptcy, prepares to close stores
Mattress Firm Inc., the troubled bed retailer of Steinhoff International Holdings, filed for bankruptcy in Delaware along with more than a dozen affiliates. The Chapter 11 petition Friday from the Houston-based company listed more than $1 billion in both debt and assets, and includes units of well-known brand names such as Sleepy’s and 1800mattress.com. Among […]
Posted inBoston Bruins, Obituaries, sj-web
Dennis Emile Lessard
LEWISTON — It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our youngest brother, Dennis Emile Lessard. Dennis was welcomed home by the Lord on Wednesday, Aug. 1. Dennis was born Feb. 24, 1961, the son of Armand (Rusty) Lessard and Therese (Aube) Myrand. Dennis was raised in Lewiston and attended Lewiston schools. He held […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Bull Moose growing to 3 times its size and staying in Lewiston Mall
LEWISTON — Bull Moose is moving down the hall at the Lewiston Mall, growing three times as large and adding books, more vinyl, CDs and games. For old school devotees: The VHS and cassette tapes are moving, too. Bull Moose will take over the former Pet Life space and the hallway in front of it […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, sj-web
Auburn police boost shoplifting enforcement: ‘It’s out of control’
AUBURN — Saying shoplifting is “out of control” in Auburn stores, the Auburn Police Department has launched an anti-shoplifting campaign with tougher enforcement. “We want people to know that Auburn is open for business but closed to shoplifting,” said Deputy Police Chief Jason Moen. With just about all stores hit, shoplifting has increased by 84 […]
Posted inBusiness
L.L. Bean changes credit card vendor
FREEPORT (AP) — Outdoors retailer L.L. Bean has a new credit card vendor. The Freeport, Maine, company is partnering with Citi Retail Services and Mastercard after ending its relationship with Barclays and Visa. The card offers rewards points on purchases and free monogramming on L.L. Bean purchases. It also offers free shipping on all L.L. […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Poland selectmen to study state's retail pot law
POLAND — Selectmen said Thursday they needed to learn more about the legal ramifications of retail and recreational marijuana in Maine before a town committee is created to formulate a town policy. Board members Joe Cimino and Mary-Beth Taylor and Town Manager Matthew Garside said they plan to attend a workshop July 10, sponsored by […]
Posted inBusiness
Why it could be harder to get an entry-level job at a store these days
NEW YORK (AP) — Asia Thomas knew she was at a disadvantage. It had been 16 years since she quit a job at McDonald’s to raise her kids. When she left, restaurants didn’t have kiosks to take orders, people didn’t use smartphones to pay, and job seekers did applications on paper. “Things have changed,” said […]
Posted inBusiness
L.L. Bean drops its unlimited returns policy, restricts free shipping
FREEPORT — The days of turning in your old, worn-out Bean boots for a brand new pair are officially over. In a reversal of its longstanding policy, L.L. Bean will no longer accept returns on any product it has ever sold regardless of the item’s age or condition. L.L. Bean executives said the decision was […]