Finance & Capital Management

Dallas -- Alliance Data Systems Corp. has signed a multi-year renewal agreement to continue managing the private label credit card program for duty-free jewelry retailer Little Switzerland.

Honolulu -- Columbus, Ohio-based Glimcher Realty Trust announced plans to acquire 80% indirect ownership interest in Pearlridge Center, located in Honolulu, for about $290 million from partner Blackstone Real Estate Partners.

“With sales of nearly $500 per square foot and a dynamic growth profile, this strategic investment is consistent with our goal of enhancing the quality of our real estate portfolio,” said Michael Glimcher, chairman and CEO, Glimcher.

San Diego -- Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services said it has named Phil Sambazis senior director of the firm’s National Retail Group in San Diego. Sambazis joined Marcus & Millichap in March 2006 and specializes in the acquisition and disposition of retail shopping centers and net-leased investments.

Marcus & Millichap has also named Kevin W. Boeve senior director of the firm’s National Retail Group in Ontario. Boeve joined Marcus & Millichap in June 1999.

North Plainfield, N.J. -- Levin Management announced that it has named Joe Lowry as director of acquisitions and business development for the company.

The 25-year commercial real estate industry veteran joined Levin in 2009 as director of acquisitions. His added responsibilities reflect the firm’s ongoing focus on adding new clients from among institutions, fund managers and private owners it does not already serve.

Dallas -- SRS Real Estate Partners announced three new hires in brokerage, marketing and research.

Scott Poehler, Alexandra Hilker and Kyle West have joined the SRS teams in Newport Beach, Calif.; Denver, and Orlando, Fla.

Scott Poehler has joined SRS as an associate in the Newport Beach office, coming to SRS from Keller Williams Realty.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens’ fiscal second-quarter earnings fell 7.7% due in part to its decision to leave the Express Scripts pharmacy network. But its performance still topped analyst expectations. A mild flu and cough/cold season also cut into its performance.

The chain said its net income dropped to $683 million in the three months ended Feb. 29, 2012, compared with $739 million a year ago. Revenue rose 0.8% to $18.65 billion, from $18.5 billion a year earlier. Same-store prescriptions filled fell 4.9%. Revenue from the front-end was up 2.1%.

New York -- Robert Graham announced that it has signed a lease agreement to open a store in The Mall at Short Hills, Short Hills, N.J. The store will carry the complete range of Robert Graham-branded merchandise, including men's sportswear, premium denim, tailored clothing, furnishings, accessories, outerwear, and women's sportswear.

The Robert Graham store will open this summer.

New York -- Dollar General Corp. will buy back about $300 million in shares from Buck Holdings L.P., the company's controlling shareholder.

The repurchase deal with Buck Holdings is part of the company's previously announced $500 million stock buyback program, Dollar General said in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Bensalem, Pa. -- Charming Shoppes Inc. recorded a wider-than-expected loss for its fourth quarter as higher product costs and discounts at its Lane Bryant division cut into margins. The chain said plans to close between 90 to 105 underperforming stores this year.

Charming Shoppes, which hired Barclays Capital in December to help it review its options, posted a loss of $13.2 million for the three months ended January 28, 2012, compared with a loss of $30.4 million a year ago.

DALLAS — Former Sears chief marketing officer, Monica Woo, has joined Mozido, a leading global provider of low-cost, multi-channel financial services platform for mobile network operators, financial institutions, consumer packaged goods corporations and retailers, as EVP, global chief marketing and strategy officer. 

In this capacity, Woo will be responsible for Mozido's overall brand strategy, communications, and customer experience across channels, as well as key business-building initiatives.