Awards

Howard Hughes CEO re-ups for 10 years
David Weinreb, who took The Howard Hughes Corporation public, will now take the company well into the next decade. The Dallas-based company announced it has entered into a new employment agreement with Weinreb that runs through 2027. As part of the deal, Weinreb completed the acquisition of nearly two million stock warrants in the company at a cost of $50 million.
Convenience store giant wins energy efficiency award
7-Eleven is being honored for its commitment to reducing energy. The Alliance to Save Energy has awarded 7-Eleven with the Alliance to Save Energy "Built Environment" award for its commitment to reducing energy consumption and improving efficiency in its stores. 7-Eleven has successfully decreased electricity use in store operations by an estimated 21% over the past seven years through installing LED lighting, energy management systems and high-efficiency HVAC units.

RILA announces first-ever tech awards

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) is looking for a few good tech innovators. The group has put out a call for applications for its first annual (R)Tech Retail CEO Innovation Awards. The awards will highlight innovations that enable retail's future. Winners will be invited to showcase, pitch and network with the retail chief executives at RILA's annual Retail CEO Forum Jan. 21-23 in Tucson, Arizona.
Mall of America turns 25

It was 25 years ago today the Ghermezian family taught American shoppers to play. The Ghermezians and their Triple Five development company had already set a new standard for enclosed shopping centers with their West Edmonton Mall. But on August 11, 1992, on the former site of Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota, they and managing agent Simon created a whole new ball game.
L.L.Bean bests Amazon in...

For the third straight year, L.L.Bean has beat out Amazon in a customer service ranking. The outdoor outfitter came out on top in Prosper Insights & Analytics’ annual review of service excellence among retailers, with Amazon a close second. Rounding out the top five; Lands’ End, Fingerhut, and Kohl’s.
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Costco co-founder, chairman dies

A retail legend has passed. Costco Wholesale Club announced "with great sadness" that co-founder and chairman Jeff Brotman died Tuesday morning. He was 74. "The thoughts of Costco’s board, management and employees are with Jeff’s wife and family,” Costco said in a short statement. Brotman co-founded Costco Wholesale with Jim Sinegal. The two opened the first Costco warehouse club location in 1983, in Seattle.
Customers most satisfied with these appliance retailers

Best Buy ranks highest in customer satisfaction in the $24 billion-plus appliance market. That's according to the J.D. Power 2017 Appliance Retailer Satisfaction Study. With a score of 857, Best Buy came out on top, ahead of Lowe's (840), The Home Depot (839), Hhgregg (831) and Sears (828). Overall satisfaction with appliance retailers in 2017 is 838 points, up from 821 in 2016.
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Barneys New York honored for innovative lighting

Specialty luxury retailer Barneys New York has been recognized for the lighting design at its new downtown flagship in New York City.
Supermarket retailer is top rated retail CEO

The chief executive of a regional supermarket chain ranks among the nation's highest-rated CEOs. Charles C. Butt, CEO of H-E-B, based in Austin, Texas, was the only retail chief executive to crack the top 20 of Glassdoor's annual Employee Choice Awards, which honor the 100 highest rated CEOs of large companies across the United States. Butt ranked #16. (The number one position was held by Benno Dorer, CEO of Clorox.)
And the Store of the Year is...

A premium brand born from the celebration of colder climates, Mackage (Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto) was named Store in the Year in the Retail Design Institute’s 46th annual International Store Design Competition. The awards were presented during a gala celebration on Wednesday, May 24, in New York City.