Strategy

There has been a bit of controversy lately regarding Urban Outfitters' recent request that some of their salaried employees “volunteer” to fill normally hourly roles in fulfillment centers and retail outlets. The labor community and their activist friends have been crying foul over what they perceive is the manipulation of salaried junior managers by forcing them to work “hourly” jobs and getting no additional pay or benefits.

Greensboro, N.C. -- Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. announced the election of David B. Henry to its board of directors, effective Jan. 1.

Henry will retire from his current role as vice chairman of the board and CEO of Kimco Realty Corporation, effective Jan. 1. He joined Kimco, North America's largest publicly traded owner and operator of open air shopping centers, in April 2001 as vice chairman and chief investment officer, served as its president from December 2008 through August 2014, and has served as CEO since December 2009.

Fresh on the heels of its announced $17.2 billion acquisition of Rite Aid, Walgreens Boots Alliance reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $26 million Wednesday — compared to a $221 million loss during the same period last year — and finished significantly ahead of analyst expectations. Net sales climbed almost 50% to $28.5 billion during the quarter, which ended August 31.

Venture Commercial has completed two leases on behalf of Northern Tool + Equipment in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, in the White Bear Marketplace, and in Live Oak, Texas, in The Village at Forum Parkway Shopping Center. Clay Mote of Venture Commercial, who is the master broker for Northern Tool + Equipment, made the announcement.

Pickerington, Ohio -- Stark Enterprise announced the addition of The Shoppes at Stonecreek located in Pickerington, Ohio to its retail portfolio. The 45,000 sq. ft. center is currently 100% occupied, tenants include: Lifetime Fitness, Petland, Advanced Vapor, Lomonico’s and Roosters.

“This acquisition further expands our footprint outside of Northeast Ohio and is a prime opportunity for us to prove the transformational impact we have on our properties,” said Ezra Stark, COO for Stark Enterprises.

Gordmans Stores is taking a POS-centric approach to improving the store experience.

Nebraska-based Gordmans, a discount department store chain with 101 locations, has engaged with retail solutions provider OLR to implement Oracle Retail Xstore Point of Sale (POS) and Oracle Retail Customer Engagement.

German discount grocery chain Lidl has broken ground for a new regional U.S. headquarters and distribution center in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. The facility is expected to create 200 jobs in the state and open no later than 2018.

It's changing of the guard time at Chico's FAS.

After what it called an extensive search, the retailer named industry veteran Shelley Broader as president and CEO, effective Dec. 1. She succeeds David F. Dyer, who will become vice chair of the Chico's board.

Broader brings over 25 years of experience to her new position. Most recently, she served as president and CEO of Walmart's EMEA region, responsible for retail operations and business development across Europe, the Middle East, Sub-Sahara Africa and Canada.