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Activate to get your <span class="em">FREE</span> digital access!</span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="content"> <div class="main"> <div class="zone zone-2">  <div class="hide-rss-link hdnce-e hdnce-collection-28677-premium_section_above_the_fold">  <div class="hst-centerpiece section-atf clearfix"> <ul class="illo"> <li class="item first single "> <h3 class="headline display-above"><a href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/River-Oaks-District-opens-fashionably-on-time-6544140.php">River Oaks District opens fashionably on time</a></h3> <div class="single-img-wrapper "> <a href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/River-Oaks-District-opens-fashionably-on-time-6544140.php"> <h4 class="gradient"></h4> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20151007232925im_/http://ww4.hdnux.com/photos/41/22/04/8724759/5/727x0.jpg" alt="The River Oaks District's opening drew a crowd on Thursday. About two dozen retailers opened their doors, with more to follow."/> </a> </div> <h3 class="headline display-below"><a href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/River-Oaks-District-opens-fashionably-on-time-6544140.php">River Oaks District opens fashionably on time</a></h3> <div class="detail">  <p class="byline">By Mike D. Smith<a href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/author/nancy-sarnoff/"> and Nancy Sarnoff</a></p>   Architects, city officials and designer-clad socialites buzzed under trees strung with white lights Thursday morning at the opening of River Oaks District, the luxury shopping, office and residential ...  </div> </li> </ul> </div>   </div>  </div> <div id="placeholder_768"></div> <div class="zone zone-3">  <div class="hide-rss-link hdnce-e hdnce-collection-28679-premium_featured_articles">  <div class="collection hc-section-hl subsection"> <div class="sec-hl-item first-sec-item "> <div class="header"> <h4 class="kicker highlight color-link">Retail</h4> </div> <h2 class="headline"> <a href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Convenience-stores-elbow-in-on-grocery-chains-6515593.php">Convenience stores elbow in on grocery chains</a> </h2>  <a class="without_u " href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Convenience-stores-elbow-in-on-grocery-chains-6515593.php"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20151007232925im_/http://ww2.hdnux.com/photos/41/01/60/8657965/3/727x0.jpg" alt="Samantha Baker, a manager of a Valero Corner Store in San Antonio, prepares to bake Jamaican Meat Pies." border="0"/> </a>  <p class="blurb">   At a Corner Store on San Antonio's Northwest Side, the shelves of candy bars, potato chips, cheap DVDs and energy drinks have made room for a newcomer: a display of fresh fruit and vegetables. The ...  </p> </div> <div class="sec-hl-item "> <h2 class="headline"> <a href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/H-E-B-buys-28-acres-in-rapidly-growing-Fulshear-6515511.php">H-E-B buys 28 acres in rapidly growing Fulshear community</a> </h2>   <p class="blurb">   H-E-B's purchase of land in Fulshear marks the early steps by the grocer to enter this rapidly growing community in the far west Houston area. The company bought about 28 acres at the corner of Fulshear ...  </p> </div> <div class="sec-hl-item "> <h2 class="headline"> <a href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Wal-Mart-says-it-will-hire-60-000-holiday-season-6512858.php">Wal-Mart says it will hire 60,000 holiday season workers</a> </h2>  <a class="without_u " href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Wal-Mart-says-it-will-hire-60-000-holiday-season-6512858.php"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20151007232925im_/http://ww1.hdnux.com/photos/41/00/06/8651148/3/727x0.jpg" alt="FILE - This May 28, 2013 file photo shows a sign outside a Wal-mart store in Duarte, Calif. Wal-Mart on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015 says it will hire 60,000 employees to meet increased shopping demand over the holiday season. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)" border="0"/> </a>  <p class="blurb">   Wal-Mart says it will hire 60,000 employees to meet increased shopping demand over the holiday season. The world's largest retailer said Thursday it will have more employees in stores and more registers ...  </p> </div> <div class="sec-hl-item portrait"> <h2 class="headline"> <a href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Texas-craft-brewer-mounts-legal-challenge-to-6509927.php">Texas craft brewer mounts legal challenge to state's beer law</a> </h2>  <a class="without_u " href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Texas-craft-brewer-mounts-legal-challenge-to-6509927.php"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20151007232925im_/http://ww4.hdnux.com/photos/40/76/50/8645147/6/727x0.jpg" alt="Deep Ellum Brewing Co. of Dallas has limited availability in Houston. But a lawsuit brought by founder/owner John Reardon could have an impact on the way beer is sold across the state. ( Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle )" border="0"/> </a>  <p class="blurb">   On the same day merger talk surfaced regarding the world's two biggest beer companies, a small Dallas brewery announced its own effort to shake up the industry in Texas. Deep Ellum Brewing Co. launched ...  </p> </div> <div class="sec-hl-item last-sec-item portrait"> <h2 class="headline"> <a href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Founder-George-Zimmer-takes-on-Men-s-Wearhouse-6504594.php">Founder George Zimmer takes on Men's Wearhouse with tuxedo...</a> </h2>  <a class="without_u " href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Founder-George-Zimmer-takes-on-Men-s-Wearhouse-6504594.php"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20151007232925im_/http://ww1.hdnux.com/photos/40/73/50/8632868/3/727x0.jpg" alt="George Zimmer, the ousted founder of MenÃ©¢ââ¢s Wearhouse, in Oakland, Calif., May 29, 2015. On Monday, Zimmer will unveil his new company, zTailors, a website and app that connects customers with on-demand tailors who are ready to make house calls. (Peter Earl McCollough/The New York Times)" border="0"/> </a>  <p class="blurb">   Last year, George Zimmer was ousted from Men's Wearhouse, the company he founded. His latest startup, an online tailoring platform, is not doing so well. But now, Zimmer is sure he has a winner. On ...  </p> </div> </div>  </div>  </div> <div class="zone zone-4">  <div class="hide-rss-link hdnce-e hdnce-collection-54489-premium_featured_articles">  <div class="collection hc-section-hl subsection no-header"> <div class="sec-hl-item first-sec-item "> <div class="header"> <h4 class="kicker highlight color-link">Retail</h4> </div> <h2 class="headline"> <a href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Mixed-August-for-Houston-auto-market-retail-6514738.php">Auto sales tap brakes, but pickups and SUVs thrive</a> </h2>  <a class="without_u " href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Mixed-August-for-Houston-auto-market-retail-6514738.php"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20151007232925im_/http://ww2.hdnux.com/photos/41/01/22/8656053/5/727x0.jpg" alt="Sales of luxury autos like this 2016 Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS appear to be doing well in the Houston area among a mixed set of customers, one dealer said." border="0"/> </a>  <p class="blurb">   The roaring pace of Houston's auto market slowed during August, as car sales declined but pickup trucks and SUVs jumped. There were 30,588 vehicles sold in the eight-county area in August, down 0.3 ...  </p> </div> <div class="sec-hl-item "> <h2 class="headline"> <a href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Wal-Mart-sparks-battle-with-suppliers-over-6499980.php">Wal-Mart sparks battle with suppliers over margin-squeezing fees</a> </h2>  <a class="without_u " href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Wal-Mart-sparks-battle-with-suppliers-over-6499980.php"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20151007232925im_/http://ww2.hdnux.com/photos/40/70/05/8618353/5/727x0.jpg" alt="Wal-Mart Stores is using its leverage as a giant retailer to squeeze the profit margins of its suppliers by imposing shelving and storage fees for their goods sold in the stores. Wal-Mart also wants the suppliers to accept less frequent payments for their goods. Some suppliers say they can't make a profit under the terms." border="0"/> </a>  <p class="blurb">   After years of meeting demands for ever cheaper prices, many Wal-Mart Stores suppliers are saying no to new margin-squeezing storage fees and a payment schedule that could delay for months how quickly some ...  </p> </div> <div class="sec-hl-item "> <h2 class="headline"> <a href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Mattress-Firm-sales-not-taking-a-rest-6497982.php">Mattress Firm making investors restless</a> </h2>  <a class="without_u " href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Mattress-Firm-sales-not-taking-a-rest-6497982.php"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20151007232925im_/http://ww2.hdnux.com/photos/40/66/51/8612461/7/727x0.jpg" alt="Mattress Firm officials acknowledge that the chain is approaching the saturation level in the Houston area but will seek growth elsewhere." border="0"/> </a>  <p class="blurb">   Mattress Firm's stock plunged by nearly 25 percent Friday after earnings fell short of analysts' expectations and the company sharply lowered its outlook for the second half of this fiscal year. The ...  </p> </div> <div class="sec-hl-item "> <h2 class="headline"> <a href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Conn-s-names-new-CEO-continues-to-address-credit-6494471.php">Conn's names new CEO, continues to address credit woes</a> </h2>  <a class="without_u " href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Conn-s-names-new-CEO-continues-to-address-credit-6494471.php"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20151007232925im_/http://ww4.hdnux.com/photos/40/64/72/8605343/5/727x0.jpg" alt="Conn's new chief executive is a graduate of West Point and has more than 30 years in business management." border="0"/> </a>  <p class="blurb">   Appliances and home furnishings retailer Conn's announced Wednesday that it has replaced its chief executive and sold its $1.4 billion consumer loan portfolio that had been a drag on its bottom line. The ...  </p> </div> <div class="sec-hl-item "> <h2 class="headline"> <a href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/New-boutiques-drive-net-sales-gain-for-Francesca-s-6492949.php">Earnings slip at Houston-based Francesca's</a> </h2>  <a class="without_u " href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/New-boutiques-drive-net-sales-gain-for-Francesca-s-6492949.php"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20151007232925im_/http://ww3.hdnux.com/photos/40/63/71/8601170/5/727x0.jpg" alt="Exterior of Francesca's an apparel and accessories chain at 6514 Woodway Drive, Wednesday, March 26, 2014, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle )" border="0"/> </a>  <p class="blurb">   Earnings for Francesca's Holdings Corp., dipped in the second quarter as existing stores rang up fewer sales. Company officials said Wednesday that they are off to a strong start for the third quarter, ...  </p> </div> <div class="sec-hl-item last-sec-item "> <h2 class="headline"> <a href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Mama-Teresa-s-serves-pizza-with-a-side-of-memories-6485310.php">Mama Teresa's serves pizza with a side of memories</a> </h2>  <a class="without_u " href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Mama-Teresa-s-serves-pizza-with-a-side-of-memories-6485310.php"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20151007232925im_/http://ww2.hdnux.com/photos/40/57/12/8581809/7/727x0.jpg" alt="A pizza at Mama Teresa's Flying Pizza's new location Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Galveston. The restaurant was located in Bolivar for 25 years, was destroyed by Hurricane Ike in 2008. ( James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle )" border="0"/> </a>  <p class="blurb">   For Carmen Melilli, reopening is closure. For a quarter-century, his family business, Mama Teresa's Flying Pizza, kept Bolivar Peninsula beach-goers and day-trippers well-fed and happy with ...  </p> </div> </div>  </div>  </div> </div> <div class="right-rail"> <div class="zone zone-5">  <div class="hide-rss-link hdnce-e hdnce-collection-28678-premium_headlinelist_illus">   <div class="collection prem-hl-illus list-sec">  <div class="prem-hl-item "> <h4 class="kicker">Recent stories</h4> <h2 class="headline"> <a href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/National-Toy-Hall-of-Fame-releases-list-of-12-6540017.php">National Toy Hall of Fame releases list of 12 toys up for 2015 induction</a> </h2> <div class="img-wrap">  <a class="without_u " href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/National-Toy-Hall-of-Fame-releases-list-of-12-6540017.php"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20151007232925im_/http://ww2.hdnux.com/photos/33/54/37/7260129/3/135x0.jpg" alt="American Girl features a bistro for customers and a hair salon for the dolls." border="0"/> </a>  </div> <p class="blurb">  <span>  The National Toy Hall of Fame has released a list of 12 iconic toys up for induction into its hallowed halls. Yes, there is a hall of fame for everything these days. Up for induction are American ...  </span> </p> </div> <div class="prem-hl-item "> <h2 class="headline"> <a href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/State-beer-bars-wrangle-over-crowlers-6538808.php">State, beer bars wrangle over 'crowlers'</a> </h2> <div class="img-wrap">  <a class="without_u " href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/State-beer-bars-wrangle-over-crowlers-6538808.php"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20151007232925im_/http://ww3.hdnux.com/photos/41/17/43/8714466/5/135x0.jpg" alt="Robbie Cummings with Brash Brewing demonstrates a crowlers machine Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015, in Houston. ( James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle )" border="0"/> </a>  </div> <p class="blurb">  <span>  The latest flashpoint between Texas beer lovers and state beer law is a 32-ounce aluminum can that bars and restaurants fill with beer and sell to be consumed off-site. The can, called a crowler, is ...  </span> </p> </div> <div class="prem-hl-item "> <h2 class="headline"> <a href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Group-1-adds-Mercedes-Benz-dealership-near-Austin-6534998.php">Group 1 adds Mercedes-Benz dealership near Austin</a> </h2> <p class="blurb">  <span>  Group 1 Automotive said Monday that it acquired a Mercedes-Benz dealership in Georgetown, north of Austin. The dealership is expected to bring $100 million in annual revenue and includes Mercedes-Benz ...  </span> </p> </div> <div class="prem-hl-item "> <h2 class="headline"> <a href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Colorado-s-Oskar-Blues-beats-a-path-to-Austin-6530486.php">Colorado's Oskar Blues beats a path to Austin</a> </h2> <div class="img-wrap">  <a class="without_u " href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Colorado-s-Oskar-Blues-beats-a-path-to-Austin-6530486.php"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20151007232925im_/http://ww3.hdnux.com/photos/41/12/57/8694766/3/135x0.jpg" alt="Oskar Blues' most popular beer is the Dale's Pale Ale, left, but the Oskar Blues restaurant has 13 others on tap that were made at the company's original brewpub in Lyons, Colo. It will build another brewery in Austin next year. " border="0"/> </a>  </div> <p class="blurb">  <span>  The eastward migration of many craft breweries took a southern detour Friday when Colorado's Oskar Blues announced it will open a 30,000-barrel production facility in Austin next spring, making it the ...  </span> </p> </div> <div class="prem-hl-item "> <h2 class="headline"> <a href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Pickup-trucks-of-the-future-on-display-at-State-6528048.php">Pickup trucks of the future on display at State Fair of Texas</a> </h2> <div class="img-wrap">  <a class="without_u " href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Pickup-trucks-of-the-future-on-display-at-State-6528048.php"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20151007232925im_/http://ww3.hdnux.com/photos/41/10/71/8687182/5/135x0.jpg" alt="2017 Ford Super Duty: The 2017 Ford Super Duty, which will go on sale about a year from now, is the model's first "ground-up" redesign since 1999. It has an aluminum-alloy body that takes about 700 pounds off the vehicle's weight, allowing Ford engineers to build up other parts of the car, including its axles and frame." border="0"/> </a>  </div> <p class="blurb">  <span>  DALLAS - Automakers showcased the next generation of pickups at the State Fair of Texas on Thursday, bringing more horsepower and frills to the thriving but increasingly competitive market. After a year ...  </span> </p> </div> <div class="prem-hl-item "> <h2 class="headline"> <a href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Volkswagen-diesel-owners-wait-watch-wonder-6526740.php">Volkswagen diesel owners wait, watch and wonder</a> </h2> <div class="img-wrap">  <a class="without_u " href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Volkswagen-diesel-owners-wait-watch-wonder-6526740.php"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20151007232925im_/http://ww1.hdnux.com/photos/41/10/14/8684320/7/135x0.jpg" alt="FILE - SEPTEMBER 21: According to reports, the German automaker Volkswagen is recalling Diesel cars after the Environmental Protection Agency revealed that software installed rigged tests for emissions. CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 18: A Volkswagen Passat is offered for sale at a dealership on September 18, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has accused Volkswagen of installing software on nearly 500,000 diesel cars in the U.S. to evade federal emission regulations. The cars in question are 2009-14 Jetta, Beetle, and Golf, the 2014-15 Passat and the 2009-15 Audi A3. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)" border="0"/> </a>  </div> <p class="blurb">  <span>  When Bruce O'Neal was shopping for a new car two years ago, the diesel-powered Volkswagen Passat appealed to him in large part because the engine was said to be cleaner-burning than its gasoline-guzzling ...  </span> </p> </div> <div class="prem-hl-item "> <h2 class="headline"> <a href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Texas-restaurant-that-was-site-of-biker-shootings-6525667.php">Texas restaurant that was site of biker shootings for sale</a> </h2> <p class="blurb">  <span>  WACO - The owners of a former restaurant where a deadly fight in its parking lot broke out between rival motorcycle gangs want to sell or lease the property. The May 17 gunfire, in the parking lot of Twin ...  </span> </p> </div> <div class="prem-hl-item "> <h2 class="headline"> <a href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Starbucks-falls-short-after-pledging-better-labor-6525658.php">Starbucks falls short after pledging better labor practices</a> </h2> <div class="img-wrap">  <a class="without_u " href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Starbucks-falls-short-after-pledging-better-labor-6525658.php"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20151007232925im_/http://ww3.hdnux.com/photos/41/07/57/8682470/3/135x0.jpg" alt="Starbucks employees protest working conditions this week outside one of the chain's locations in Decatur, Ga. Jaime Riley, a company spokeswoman, says: "We're the first to admit we have work to do."" border="0"/> </a>  </div> <p class="blurb">  <span>  Last year, Starbucks vowed to provide store employees with more consistent schedules from week to week and to post their schedules at least 10 days in advance. The company said it would stop asking workers ...  </span> </p> </div> <div class="prem-hl-item "> <h2 class="headline"> <a href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Modest-rise-in-holiday-shopping-forecast-6525656.php">Modest rise in holiday shopping forecast</a> </h2> <p class="blurb">  <span>  Retailers are in for a somewhat less merry holiday season this year, according to a forecast by consultancy Deloitte that predicts a 3.5 to 4 percent increase in sales during the industry's most crucial ...  </span> </p> </div> <div class="prem-hl-item last"> <h2 class="headline"> <a href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Mixed-August-for-Houston-auto-market-retail-6514738.php">Auto sales tap brakes, but pickups and SUVs thrive</a> </h2> <div class="img-wrap">  <a class="without_u " href="/web/20151007232925/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Mixed-August-for-Houston-auto-market-retail-6514738.php"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20151007232925im_/http://ww2.hdnux.com/photos/41/01/22/8656053/5/135x0.jpg" alt="Sales of luxury autos like this 2016 Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS appear to be doing well in the Houston area among a mixed set of customers, one dealer said." border="0"/> </a>  </div> <p class="blurb">  <span>  The roaring pace of Houston's auto market slowed during August, as car sales declined but pickup trucks and SUVs jumped. There were 30,588 vehicles sold in the eight-county area in August, down 0.3 ...  </span> </p> </div> </div>   </div>  </div> <div class="ad-middle"> <div class="ad-inner ad-smallBP"> <div id="AP300" class="ad_deferrable"><script type="text/javascript">/*<![CDATA[*/ hearstPlaceAd("AP300"); /*]]>*/ </script></div> </div> </div> <div class="zone zone-6"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ad-bottom"> <div class="ad-inner"> <div id="BP300" class="ad_deferrable"><script type="text/javascript">/*<![CDATA[*/ hearstPlaceAd("BP300"); /*]]>*/</script></div> </div> </div> </div>    <script> // This must be correctly defined before Viafoura is called // or else we run the risk of tainting the comments for a particular url $('meta[property="og:url"]').attr('content', location.href); (function (v, s) { v.type = 'text/javascript'; v.async = !0; v.src = location.protocol !== 'https:' ? 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