Finance & Capital Management

To stand out in a crowded category, At Home is rewarding shoppers for their loyalty.   The home décor superstore launched a new credit card program through a partnership with Synchrony Financial. Based on a multi-year agreement, At Home shoppers now have the opportunity to sign up for one of two credit cards that reward them for all brand purchases.  

JLL Income Property Trust has purchased the Kierland Village Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, for $34.5 million. Kierland Village is an upscale development in the Phoenix suburb, which has seen a near 10% rise in population since 2000.   The 118,000-sq.-ft. neighborhood center is anchored by Safeway and houses Walgreens, Einstein Brothers, Pizza Hut, Panda Express, and a UPS Store.   The acquisition is in line with JLL’s current appetite for active, necessity-based centers.  

MOM’s Organic Market started as a produce delivery company based out of the founder’s mother’s garage and has grown into a 16-store grocery chain.     “We carry much more than Trader Joe’s and less than Whole Foods,” founder Scott Nash told The Washington Post.  

The nation’s largest specialty toy retailer finds itself in a sweet spot as its most critical selling season approaches.   After years of just cutting costs, Toys “R” Us is starting to put money back into operations, as it looks to grow sales and traffic, Bloomberg reported. And for the first time in a while, the company is building inventory.  

Inland Private Capital Corp.’s Keith Lampi received the Distinguished Service Award from the Alternative and Direct Investment Securities Association during its recent annual conference in Las Vegas.   "Keith has exhibited an honorable commitment to excellence and service to the industry while adhering to the highest ethical standards and quality performance," said ADISA executive director and CEO John Harrison in presenting the award.   

It’s shaping up as a busy fall for Ross Stores.   The retailer is opening 25 Ross Dress for Less ("Ross") stores and nine dd's Discounts stores across 16 different states in September and October.   The new locations round out the company's expansion plans to add approximately 90 locations in 2016.  

Experienced investment industry executive David R. O’Reilly has been named chief financial officer of The Howard Hughes Corporation and will assume the office on Oct. 17. He fills the vacancy left by retired CFO Andrew Richardson.   O’Reilly joins the company from Parkway Properties, a Florida-based real estate investment trust whose portfolio is focused on office properties.  Previously, he served in senior executive positions at Banyan Street Capital, Barclays Capital, and Lehman Brothers.  

Driving innovation across Ralph Lauren’s channels has become a family affair.   David Lauren, the son of designer Ralph Lauren, was appointed vice chairman and chief innovation officer for the fashion brand.   Lauren’s new role coincides with the company’s “Way Forward” business plan designed to revive sales and reinstate the company’s “hip” reputation, Bloomberg reported.