Marketing

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Sports Authority has announced a partnership with ShopRunner (http://www.shoprunner.com),/ a members-only online shopping program that offers consumers unlimited, free two-day shipping with no minimum order size, and free shipping on returns, across a wide selection of retailers.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. - TJX Companies announced that it will consolidate its A.J. Wright division by converting 91 A.J. Wright stores into T.J. Maxx, Marshalls or HomeGoods stores and by closing the remaining 71 stores, A.J. Wright’s two distribution centers and its home office. This action is expected to improve the overall profitability of the company, and will allow TJX to focus its managerial and financial resources on its larger, more profitable businesses, all of which have major growth potential, as well as to serve the A.J.

Dallas -- Neiman Marcus Group reported Thursday that profit for the quarter ended Oct. 30 tripled to $25.7 million, compared with $8.5 million in the year-ago period. The retailer cited more full-price selling, higher customer traffic and lower costs for the strong performance.

The operator of its namesake and Bergdorf Goodman stores saw sales rise 6.7% to $927 million. Same-store sales increased 6.4% following a 14% plunge a year ago.

Yamaguchi City, Japan -- Fast Retailing Co. said Friday it aims to open at least 200 Uniqlo stores in the U.S. by 2020.

Asia’s largest clothing chain said it seeks to raise sales sixfold in a decade.

“The United States is one of the most important markets for us,” Shin Odake, CEO of Uniqlo’s U.S. unit, said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. “We want to become the number one retailer in the world.”

Chicago -- Jones Lang LaSalle, in a survey released Thursday, found that protecting and building the brand and driving responsible growth are the chief priorities of major retailers for 2011.

The survey, conducted by Jones Lang LaSalle at its recent Retail Executive Forum event, also revealed that the retail industry is placing increasing importance on the value of real estate as a key component of its business and brand strategies for next year.

Santa Ana, Calif. -- Grubb & Ellis Co. announced that Susan E. Calvert and Joe I. Munoz have joined the company’s Lease Administration group.

Calvert, who joins as manager, Lease Administration, spent two years as a real estate administrator with SRS Real Estate Partners, where she was responsible for commercial portfolios spanning approximately 350 locations. Munoz, who will also serve on the lease administration team, spent seven years with SRS Real Estate Partners, ultimately rising to the position of lead real estate administrator. 

Burlington, Mass. -- Centro Properties Group announced that Golf Galaxy has opened a 15,200-sq.-ft. store at Burlington Square, located in Burlington, Mass.

New York City-based Centro Properties Group is the owner of Burlington Square.

Atlanta -- Atlanta-based Jones Lang LaSalle said it has added local playhouse theatre company Broadway Classics Productions to Harrisburg Mall.

Located in a former anchor store situated off of Center Court, Broadway Classics Productions opened on Nov. 19.

The theater expects 200 to 300 people per show, with three to four shows per week.

Stamford, Conn. -- Rhys Commercial announced that The Children’s Place has retained it to handle the retailer’s expansion across Connecticut.

According to RHYS, which is actively seeking out locations in densely populated and well-trafficked markets throughout the state, The Children’s Place generally requires between 4,000 and 4,500 sq. ft. of space. The retailer is looking to open new stores in potential infill markets.

Dallas -- SRS Real Estate Partners announced that it has hired two new brokers in its Houston office.

Jennifer Paulson and Carter Malone recently joined the company as associates. The new hires come on the heels of a strategic move to grow the company’s local presence in Houston.