Finance & Capital Management

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores said Thursday it has elected James F. Gooch to its board of directors and as chair of the audit committee.

Gooch had served as president and CEO, as well as CFO, of RadioShack Corp.
 

Tampa, Fla. -- RetailSense, a marketing software company that accelerates retail and agile marketing processes, announced that Family Dollar Store has signed a multi-year contract with Retail Sense. This new partnership includes the implementation of the latest release of IntelliSense marketing resource management solutions.
 

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us on Friday reported that its sales and profits declined in the fourth quarter and the full year. The company also revealed in a regulatory filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that it is withdrawing its plan to go public, blaming “unfavorable market conditions” and its “executive leadership transition” for the decision.  

Mahwah, N.J. -- Crossroad Cos. announced Thursday that it has named Carlo J. Caparruva as EVP of leasing services, charged with overseeing all leasing activities related to Crossroads’ development projects and existing portfolio, as well as third-party real estate services.

Atlanta -- Transwestern’s Atlanta office announced Thursday that Russell Lipscomb has been promoted to SVP of property management services.

In his new role, Lipscomb will expand his oversight into business development initiatives and engage in new pursuits to further expand Transwestern’s footprint throughout the Southeast. He will continue to direct a team of 43 property management professionals and provide oversight for all Atlanta-based property management assignments.

Myrtle Beach, S.C. -- Jones Lang LaSalle said Thursday it has closed the sale of Windy Hill Shopping Center and North Village Center on behalf of Equity One.

America’s Realty purchased the two adjacent shopping centers totaling 128,821 sq. ft. and anchored by Roses, Goodwill, Dollar General and Cititrends.
 

Tampa, Fla. -- Burger chain Burger 21 – founded by the owners of The Melting Pot® Restaurants – announced the signing of two new multi-unit franchise agreements in Florida. Seven new restaurants will be developed over the next several years in the Fort Myers - Naples corridor, Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, Davie and Pembroke Pines.

To date, Burger 21 has six restaurants open in Florida and 18 franchised locations in development along the East Coast.

New York -- British grocery giant Tesco is moving closer to selling off its U.S. Fresh & Easy division, with Tesco CEO Philip Clarke traveling to the United States next week to try and strike a deal, according to a report in the British newspaper, The Telegraph.

Tesco has held discussions with Trader Joe’s and others about selling Fresh & Easy, but a break-up of the business is considered the most likely option, the report said. Other options include closing the business and selling off assets.

New York -- Consumer spending increased in February by the most in five months as incomes rose and the job market improved.

The Commerce Department said on Friday consumer spending rose 0.7% last month, after an upwardly revised increase from 0.2% to 0.4% in January.  

GRAPEVINE, Texas — GameStop reported that total global sales for the fourth quarter of 2012 were $3.56 billion compared with $3.58 billion in the prior year quarter. Consolidated comparable-store sales decreased 4.6% compared with the prior year quarter.