Marketing

Preparedness is key for mall owners, retailers

“Just wanting to make sure, No. 1, it is a safe environment; and No. 2, everyone knows it is a safe environment.”

That was the comment Mark Peterson made to a local news station in Rockford, Ill., regarding his top priorities after undergoing what could easily qualify as every mall manager’s biggest nightmare.

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?

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:

Job postings by Amazon may have revealed the company’s newest apparel entry: athleisure.   Several online job listings published by Amazon in December suggest that the online giant is developing a line of workout apparel, reported ReCode.     

Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th will open its first location in Montreal, at CF Galeries d’Anjou. The approximately 30,000-sq.-ft. store will open this summer.   “We have now announced four locations across Quebec and we look forward to bringing the Off 5th experience to these areas, said Jonathan Greller, president, Saks Off 5th and Gilt.    CF Galeries d’Anjou is managed by Cadillac Fairview, and jointly owned by Cadillac Fairview and Ivanhoé Cambridge.  

Aaron Trahan has been appointed chief merchandising officer at Hhgregg.   Trahan has over 14 years of retail merchandising experience, including 10 years in a merchandising leadership role. The specialty retailer plans to leverage Trahan’s leadership in appliances, electronics and furniture merchandising, especially as the company expands its furniture business in 2017, Hhgregg said  

The Tile Shop is expanding, in new markets and existing ones.   The specialty retailer opened its first location in Washington, D.C., a 10,400-sq.-ft. store in the historic neighborhood of Tenleytown.    The Tile Shop also opened its twelfth location in the Chicago metro area, in Schererville, Indiana.   

Iconix Brand Group has sold the rights to the Sharper Image brand and related intellectual property assets to the company that recently bought FAO Schwarz from Toys “R” Us.      Iconix sold Sharper Image to ThreeSixty Group, which manufactures and distributes toys and other consumer products to stores nationwide, for $100 million in cash. ThreeSixty is also Sharper Image’s largest licensee.   

Rue 21 has added the positions of COO and chief marketing officer to its executive roster.   The chain has promoted Dirk Armstrong to COO. Armstrong has been with rue21 for nearly five years and was formerly senior VP and director of stores. Previously, he served as senior VP, director of stores at Ann Taylor and regional director at Gap Inc.   

A new partnership plans to open dozens of Dunkin’ Donuts locations in Louisiana.    The company announced that New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees, in partnership with existing franchisee Vik Patel, has signed an agreement to develop up to 69 new Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Monroe and Alexandria, Louisiana over the coming years. Brees is a New Orleans Saints Super Bowl champion and MVP and former New York Giants offensive lineman.