Strategy

New York -- The White House on Thursday called on Congress to pass legislation to create a national standard that would alert consumers when their data has been hacked. It one-of-six policy recommendations that comes after a 90-day review of data and privacy.

"As organizations store more information about individuals, Americans have a right to know if that information has been stolen or otherwise improperly exposed," said the report, led by John Podesta, a top advisor to President Barack Obama.

In general, the top acquirers of 2013 logged big gains over 2012

Editor’s Note: The 25th annual Chain Store Age survey of Fastest-Growing Acquirers surveyed retail square footage purchased during the 2013 calendar year.

Lenders are lending again, the equity markets are investing again, and buyers and sellers appear to be moving retail real estate faster than last year — which was a relatively good recovery year.

Nearly two months after Sears set it free, Lands' End has named Steven Rado as SVP, chief marketing officer.

Rado will guide a team of 50 professionals across marketing operations including consumer insights, forecasting and analytics, catalog, digital marketing, customer acquisition, e-commerce, public relations and advertising.

By Jason Fredrickson, Guidance Software

The recent cyber attacks on Target, Neiman Marcus and Michaels Stores had an immediate and profound impact on sales, as well as a widespread and ongoing ripple effect on consumer confidence in the safety of credit-card information at point-of-sale (POS) terminals.

Phoenix — Vestar has appointed Clint Marchuk VP of acquisitions. His responsibilities include identifying, evaluating and carrying out shopping center acquisitions in Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas.

Belk has entered into a multilayered partnership with the American Red Cross to aid those impacted by the recent storms that have swept through the southern United States.

As a part of the partnership, Belk will make a $100,000 contribution to help with immediate and long-term recovery efforts, and customers will have the opportunity to participate by donating to the fund on belk.com. In addition, Belk will work with the local American Red Cross chapters to provide store discounts to those affected by the storm.

Fort Worth, Texas – Pier 1 Imports (U.S.) Inc., a subsidiary of Pier 1 Imports Inc., has completed the amendment of its $350 million senior secured revolving credit facility and syndicated and closed a previously announced $200 million seven-year senior secured term loan B.

Proceeds from the $200 million term loan are intended to be used for general corporate purposes, including, among other things, working capital needs, capital expenditures, cash dividends and repurchases of the company’s common stock.

An effort to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 failed on Wednesday, as the issue was not able to clear a procedural vote in the Senate. Senators predominantly voted across party lines, which places Democratic senators in favor and Republican senators opposed.

According to published reports, while the defeat was expected it is serving as a rallying cry for Democrats preparing their next campaign.