Finance & Capital Management

Election: Don’t Pop the Cork Yet
In the days and weeks since Election Day, much has been written about the impact results will have on store and restaurant operators. Other than some unease regarding trade and consumer confidence, entry-level employers generally feel optimistic about what might lie ahead with policy changes to taxes, wages and healthcare.
Most employers feel like they had a big “win” election night and in many cases, they may be right. But I think it’s a little early for employers to lace up their shoes for a collective victory lap around the boardroom.
Finding a New Outlet
New retailers and new consumers (read: millennials) are discovering value retail, and that means more outlet centers in more locales in more different configurations.

Done deal: Penney sells headquarters campus in leaseback deal

J.C. Penney continues to lower its debt load. The retailed has sold its sprawling headquarters campus in Plano, Texas, to Dreien Opportunity Partners, general partner of Silos Opportunity Partners, for a gross sale price of $353 million before closing and transaction costs.
Amazon plans for second Jacksonville DC

The Sunshine State will gain another Amazon fulfillment center. On the heels of its recent announcement to open a new warehouse in Jacksonville, Fla., the retail giant is planning to open a second facility in the same city, and employ an additional 1,000 workers. Jacksonville’s first fulfillment center was announced six months ago.
Fazoli’s Tackles Overtime Head On

With some 2,975 team members in its 123 company-owned restaurants and support center, Fazoli’s, the nation’s largest fast-casual Italian restaurant chain, estimates 210 employees are directly impacted by the Department of Labor’s new overtime rules. CSA spoke with company president and CEO Carl Howard about the chain’s strategy regarding the regulations, which take effect on Dec. 1.
How do you think the new overtime rule will impact your workplace?
Expanding North

DLC Management Corp.’s grocery-anchored shopping centers can be found in places such as Dallas; Milwaukee; Columbus, Ohio; and Birmingham, Ala.; but the company has a special stake in the Northeast. In October, DLC closed the biggest deal in its history, acquiring a passel of 16 centers, all but one of them in New York state. Chain Store Age Real Estate Editor Al Urbanski talked with DLC CEO Adam Ifshin and asked him what retailers need to know about the Northeast market.
When it comes to overstoring, China’s the champ

U.S. real estate developers and brokers coping with epic changes in the retail landscape can take some solace from the fact that, when it comes to overstoring, America’s got nothing on China. A list of cities with the most shopping center space under construction from CBRE Research had Chinese cities occupying 11 of the top 12 spots, led by Chongqing with 39.8 million sq. ft. being built. Shenzhen (38.7 million) and Chengdu (37.6 million) weren’t far behind.
2017 Update

RILA looks ahead to what retailers can expect in the coming year
With the historic 2016 election behind us, there has been much speculation about what to expect from Washington in the coming year.
With consideration of a Republican-controlled Congress and President-elect Trump’s proposed policies, the Retail Industry Leaders Association has outlined below the key legislative and regulatory issues retailers should be aware of in 2017:
ON THE LEVEL with Al Urbanski

Oculus Populi: The mall at the center of the World Trade Center
Concerns raised over Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops deal

Federal regulators have raised questions over Bass Pro Shops' $4.5 billion deal to acquire Cabela's Inc. In a regulatory filing Friday, Cabela's said the Federal Trade Commission had requested additional information from both Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops, according to Foxnews.com.