Economic development teams look at retail as a foundational entity that helps drive other development

Rent inflation remains a pressure point for small businesses.

It’s a crime that goes unnoticed a lot of the time, but it’s costing the victims billions of dollars a year. Shoplifting is a serious problem in America, and retail stores are losing lots and lots of money each year because of it.

From back-to-school to Halloween - that was a quick turnaround!The early arrival of Halloween decor in your fave store isn’t very unusual at all.

As the holiday season approaches, Belk is looking to hire for over 6,000 positions.

In a world where retail rules, Christmas continues to creep up year after year.

Golf is a notable Father’s Day pastime that’s not going anywhere any time soon.

Target is raising its minimum starting wage to $15 per hour and will give all hourly employees a one-time bonus of $200. The raise applies to employees at stores and distribution centers, beginning July 5. The company said the bonuses are meant to recognize part-time and full-time employees’ work during the pandemic. Target said the one-time bonuses will be paid out at the end of July.

FOREST, Va. – A local fine furniture shop is closing down its showroom near Lynchburg. The Reid’s Fine Furnishings showroom in Forest is closing. A company spokesperson told 10 News that the plan to close the shop was in place before the COVID-19 pandemic, which has also exacerbated the situation. It’s not clear when the shop will close its doors for good, but the company is holding a closing sale at the Forest showroom on Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

DANVILLE, Va. – Shoppers will soon have one less option at the Danville Mall. JCPenney announced it is closing the Danville location. The location inside Danville Mall is one of the 154 JCPenney stores closing down in the near future. It’s not clear yet when the Danville store will close. For a full list of JCPenney store closings, click here.

ROANOKE, Va. – The demand for kids’ clothes is high right now, as young ones continue to outgrow their clothes, without an open store in sight. Once Upon a Child understands the demand and came up with their “Spring Essential Box.” Staff members pick out several items to package together for pick-up or delivery. “We get feedback all the time about how much they appreciate what they have and the boxes that they got,” said Andrea Strom, store manager. They’ll email you an invoice and once you pay, you can specify what you’d like in your package. Becci Sisson tried out this new service and was pleasantly surprised by her eight-year-old daughter’s reaction.

ROANOKE, Va. – Roanoke’s Valley View Mall plans to temporarily close its doors starting Wednesday at 7 p.m. in order to comply with Governor Northam’s executive order 53. Mall officials say certain restaurants may stay open for take-out, curbside pick-up or delivery services. They recommend calling ahead. What’s open right now? A list of what’s ‘essential’ vs. ‘non-essential’The mall will be closed until further notice.

ROANOKE, Va. – Kroger is taking steps to make sure its senior and at-risk shoppers have a safe time to access stores before others can shop. Starting Tuesday, all Kroger Mid-Atlantic stores will have an hour exclusively for senior and at-risk shopping from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. “We ask all of our customers to respect this window of time that has been reserved for some of the more vulnerable groups," said Allison McGee, corporate affairs manager for Kroger Mid-Atlantic in a release. This applies to shoppers 60 and older. Kroger officials say they are also taking other steps to keep stores clean amid the coronavirus outbreak, including not accepting returns, cleaning commonly-used areas several times an hour and continuously cleaning shopping cart and basket handles.

ROANOKE, Va. – Walmart joins a growing list of retailers nationwide adjusting hours amid the coronavirus outbreak. Starting Thursday, all Walmart stores in the U.S. will be open from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Any stores that already open later than 7 a.m. will continue with their regular starting hours. Walmart officials say the adjusted hours will help associates keep shelves stocked and stores clean. Walmart is also introducing an hourlong senior shopping event every Tuesday for customers ages 60 and older. Walmart is also temporarily shutting down its Auto Care Centers to focus on stocking and cleaning in the rest of the store.

After five decades, Vista Food is closing its doors. The owner, Amit Patel, tells 10 News the store could not keep up with big chain stores and online competition. The owner tells us a new grocery store will open in the spring. Mary Zirkle, the economic development office says, “The Town is pleased that the Bedford County Economic Development Authority as property owner of Vista Food is actively working to find a new grocery operator. Vista is a critical community asset in the Town, providing fresh food in a walkable area.

One company is holding job fairs across the state next week. Gordmans offers clothes and home decor from popular brands at prices way lower than department stores. On Jan. 9, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., nine soon-to-be Gordmans stores will be hiring for a variety of positions, including store manager, assistant store manager, sales associate, stockroom associate and more. Interested candidates are invited to first apply online here and then visit one of the stores holding a job fair. When 10 News first reported on local Peebles becoming Gordmans in August, the Pulaski store was on that list.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – A popular store is moving from one part of Lynchburg to another -- and adding 50% more space in the process. Dick’s Sporting Goods will be leaving its current location at the Wards Crossing Shopping Center in Lynchburg and moving to a larger location at River Ridge. Once that happens, the current location will close, according to River Ridge developers. The 45,000 square foot River Ridge location is 50% bigger than the Wards Crossing location, according to developers. They expect other big-name retailers to announce plans to develop at River Ridge as well.