Finance & Capital Management

Richardson, Texas -- Restaurant chain Wingstop said it has executed development agreements with franchise operators to open 15 new Wingstops in the Atlanta market.

Three development agreements, including an 11-store deal with Tomahawk Brands LLC, will allow the Texas restaurant chain to expand its Atlanta presence from two locations to 17. The first unit under the new agreements is slated to open in early 2012.

Chelmsford, Mass. -- Kronos said Tuesday that its latest Kronos Retail Labor Index, which characterized the current state of the demand and supply sides of the labor market within the U.S. retail sector for the month of August, was unchanged from the month prior. The index, which defines the ratio of hires to applicants within a given month, expressed as a percentage, was unchanged at 3.5% in August 2011, as both hires and applications increased slightly, all on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Mexico City -- Chicago- and Atlanta-based Jones Lang LaSalle announced a major expansion of the firm’s full-service operations in Mexico with the addition of retail services.

The firm said it has hired Luis Llaca to focus on a wide range of retail services across Mexico, reporting to Pedro Azcue, CEO of Jones Lang LaSalle Mexico.

Luis was previously VP of retail operations in Mexico for CB Richard Ellis.    
 

New York City -- In the wake of the power outages caused by Hurricane Irene and other powerful summer storms, Price Chopper is reviewing its back–up plan and considering buying bigger generators, according to The Business Review.

To read the article, go to bizjournals.com/albany/morning_call/2011/09/more-bigger-generators-may-be-in.html
 

New York City -- Centro Properties Group US announced that three Big Lots have joined its portfolio, encompassing 92,006 sq. ft. and bringing Big Lots’ total store count with Centro to 49 locations.

A 30,000-sq.-ft. Big Lots opened at Arapahoe Crossings, in Aurora, Colo.; a 28,000-sq.-ft. store opened at Lagniappe Village, in New Iberia, La.; and a 34,006-sq.-ft. lease has been executed with Big Lots at Panama City Square, located in Panama City, Fla.
 

New York City -- A Friday report by Reuters said that a former Borders Group employee is attempting to represent a class of about 300 Ann Arbor, Mich., workers in suing the bankrupt retailer for not giving proper notice of impending mass layoffs.

Philadelphia -- According to a survey released Tuesday by global management consultancy Hay Group, 68% of retailers expect holiday sales to increase this year. However, hiring plans remain conservative, with 67% of retailers hiring at the same level as last year and 25% hiring fewer seasonal workers.

Los Angeles -- A report released Tuesday by commercial real estate firm C.B. Richard Ellis said that 59% of U.S. retailers plan to open more stores due to the attractive rental rates available in the current market environment.

The retail world will lose one of its most colorful and respected CEOs when Costco Wholesale Club co-founder and chief executive Jim Sinegal steps down on January 1, 2012. Among retailers, Sinegal stands out for offering proof positive that a business could be good to its employees and customers and still make a hefty profit.

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has never shied away from supporting causes he believes in. But he has really gone on the offensive with his latest passions: political gridlock and the jobs crisis.