Strategy

North American real estate owners and developers ratcheted up their green profiles markedly this year, though they still lag global trendsetters, according to the latest results of an annual sustainability study.   In GRESB’s annual environmental assessment of real estate developers and investment trusts, North American companies averaged a score of 59 out of a possible hundred, a five-point rise from last year and just shy of the global average of 60.  

I’ve been thinking quite a bit lately about an article I read earlier this summer, a piece by Krystina Gustafson that appeared on cnbc.com entitled, “For retailers, closing stores isn't as easy as it once was.”  

Chain Store Age magazine is accepting nominations for its 12th annual “Top Redevelopers” listing, which recognizes shopping center owners and developers’ retail redevelopment efforts over the last 12 months. Selections will be based on square footage redeveloped between June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2016, financial investment, and project significance.

Construction has started on the first hotel at One Daytona, the $120 million-plus project going up next to the Daytona International Speedway in Florida.   The 105-room Fairfield Inn & Suites being erected by Shaner Hotel Group is a short walk from the track. It will be joined by a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel to be called The Daytona.  

A new study from RBC Capital reveals that reversing Banana Republic’s ongoing sales decline is not going to be an easy fix for Gap Inc., reported thestreet.com.
 
In the survey, 48% of millennials polled said they disliked the chain compared to 22% who said they liked it. A majority of non-millennials also said they disliked the brand.
 

Weiss Markets is expanding its store portfolio.

The retailer plans to convert 38 Food Lion supermarket locations to Weis Markets stores. Weiss Markets has completed the purchase of 38 Food Lion stores and plans to convert the locations to the Weiss banner by the end of October. The acquired stores are located in the states of Maryland, Virginia and Delaware.

Morrisons is leveraging its partnership with Amazon to deliver the next wave of convenience for its time-starved shoppers.   The United Kingdom-based grocer plans to install hundreds of Amazon Lockers throughout its supermarkets this year, a move that allows customers to pick up Amazon orders at the store rather than wait for a home delivery.   

Flip Flop Shops is expanding in both the physical and online channels.   The company, which was acquired by Cherokee Global Brands last year, is introducing a new “super kiosk” format. Measuring approximately 300 sq. ft. and built in the shape of a giant flip flop, the concept is slated for national rollout. It is designed to offer a nimble and novel format expansion to Flip Flop Shops’ retail presence.  

Tiffany & Co. has hired Mark Erceg to become its next executive VP and CFO, effective Oct. 18, 206.   Erceg, 47, who will be responsible for the company’s worldwide financial, indirect procurement and information technology functions, replaces Tiffany’s former CFO who left the retailer in May.   Previously, Erceg was with Canadian Pacific Railway Limited, where he has served as executive VP and CFO since May 2015.  

Apparel retailer Nasty Girl, one of the hottest apparel merchants on the Internet just a few years back, is looking for a possible buyer, Women’s Wear Daily reported.