Finance & Capital Management

Surging rents in Manhattan have claimed another victim, and this time it's one of the city's most iconic retail establishments.

New York - BGC Partners Inc., a global brokerage company servicing the financial and real estate markets, has entered into an agreement to acquire Excess Space Retail Services Inc. Excess Space is a premier provider of real estate disposition, lease restructuring and lease renewal services, as well as related valuations for retailers nationwide and currently advises on 35.6 million-sq.-ft. of retail space in North America.

Atlanta - Honey Baked Ham is consolidating three regionalized operating divisions, currently based in Georgia, Michigan and Ohio, and has also named two new top executives. The combined organization, The Honey Baked Ham Company LLC, will be headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia and will serve customers online and at more than 400 stores in 40 states across the U.S.

Philadelphia – Urban Outfitters Inc. missed Wall Street expectations for net income, sales and same-store sales during the first quarter of fiscal 2015. Net income fell 12% to $32.78 millio,n from $37.48 million the same quarter a year earlier.

Lower margins and higher delivery and fulfillment expense helped drive down net income. Sales reached a record high of $739 million, up 8% from $686.31 million, but still fell short of Wall Street expectations. Same-store sales rose 4%.

By Brian Ehrig

The U.S. dollar has risen by more than 20% against the other major currencies over the last year, buoyed by a respectable if not torrid economic recovery and sinking oil prices, among other factors. That could be a breath of fresh air for U.S. shoppers with a taste for imported goods. For global mega-brands like PVH, Microsoft and Coach, however, the implications are closer to a gathering storm.

Littleton, Mass. – Dover Saddlery Inc. experienced an increase in net loss during the first quarter of fiscal 2015, seeing it jump to $776,000 from $543,000 the same quarter a year earlier. Total revenues rose 16% to $22.8 million from $19.7 million, and same-store sales rose 3%.

Corte Madera, Calif. - David Stanchak has joined RH (Restoration Hardware Holdings Inc.) as chief real estate and development officer, effective immediately. In this newly created position, Stanchak will be leading the transformation of RH’s current legacy galleries into next generation Design Galleries, with responsibility for the company's real estate and store development efforts.

Stanchak will report to RH’s chairman and CEO Gary Friedman, and serve as a member of the company’s executive leadership team.

Canton, Mass. – Dunkin’ Donuts is recruiting franchisees to develop an estimated 10-plus new Dunkin' Donuts restaurants throughout Mobile, Alabama, and Biloxi and Jackson, Mississippi. In addition, a number of existing operating restaurants may be available for purchase.