Marketing

With the retail environment changing so rapidly today, and technology impacting everything a store does, the role of the chief financial officer has become more important than ever. When I started recruiting in 1990, the business was much simpler — we hired retail executives based on a linear skillset and departments operated in individual silos. Today, it is much more complex, as the C-suite works in collaboration to keep up with an increasingly savvy consumer.

So, what then do you look for in a CFO today?

The Finish Line Inc. says its efforts to improve digital fulfillment rates are paying off, as the sporting goods retailer posted an increase in same-store sales in the fourth quarter.

For the fourth quarter ended Feb. 27, consolidated net sales at the Finish Line were $580.3 million, an increase of 5.2% over the prior year period. Same-store sales increased 4.6%. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, which primarily excludes the impact from the write-off of technology assets and store impairment charges, were 83 cents.

Furniture and specialty home goods retailer Conn’s is extending its Conn’s Cares philanthropic program for a second year.

The company is partnering with First Book and Little Free Library — organizations that have been recognized by the Library of Congress for their excellence in the advancement of literacy — to expand the literacy focus of Conn’s Cares.

Starbucks Corp. is extending its payment platform to extend its reward program beyond its own stores.

The coffee giant announced at its annual shareholders meeting on Wednesday that it will launch the Starbucks Rewards Prepaid Card from Chase by the end of this year.

Ross Dress for Less opened a store in Sevierville, Tennessee, on March 5.

The 25,000-sq.-ft. store is located in Sevierville Commons, 20 miles southeast of Knoxville at the southeast corner of Winfield Dunn Parkway and Old Douglas Dam Road.

The opening is part of the retailer’s 2016 expansion program, totaling about 70 new locations during the year.

Market expansion into the Minneapolis market may be the next step for Meijer, The Grand Rapids Press reported last week, confirming that the grocer acquired 30 acres of land in a Twin City suburb. "I can confirm Meijer has purchased property in Brooklyn Park, Minn.," Frank Guglielmi, Meijer senior director communications, told The Grand Rapids Press.

Companies of all sizes, and increasingly retailers, are implementing integrated portfolio management solutions to make smarter real estate decisions and solve their business challenges.

To better support retailers with their real estate portfolios, JLL announced that it has welcomed back Geno Coradini to the firm as executive VP, retail integrated portfolio services lead. He will be responsible for working with our retail tenant representative brokers nationally to support JLL’s retailer client base.