Strategy

New York -- Foot Locker announced that its board of directors has approved a $220 million capital expenditure program for 2013. The amount marks a significant increase over the approximately $163 million spent on in 2012.

The company said it plans to invest in such growth initiatives as including new and innovative store formats; continued expansion in Europe; technology to improve its customers' experience; and robust capabilities for its digital segment.

Dallas -- Corner Bakery Café said Wednesday it plans to open 18 restaurants in the Boston area, joining under-development markets in neighboring Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The bakery-café concept is targeting its growth through franchising deals with restaurant pros capable of opening multiple units. Corner Bakery has set a goal of doubling its current U.S. footprint of 147 locations by the end of 2015.

Conshohocken, Pa. -- Ikea said Wednesday that contractors have been hired and a building permit is pending for its future Miami-Dade store in Sweetwater, Fla., putting the home furnishings retailer on track for a groundbreaking in 60 days and a summer 2014 opening date.

Las Vegas -- MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren said Wednesday that the company is considering selling parts of its $8.5 billion CityCenter project on the Las Vegas Strip, including the Crystals Mall.

The sell-off would be a move to reduce CityCenter’s $1.85 billion in debt, which has been paid down from $2.5 billion last year.

CityCenter also houses the 4,000 Arai hotel casino which, said Mullen, is not part of any potential sale.

New York -- Foot Locker announced Wednesday that it has appointed Maxine Clarke, recently retired Build-A-Bear Workshop CEO, as a member of its board of directors.

Clark has also served as president of Payless ShoeSource, and spent 19 years as an executive with May Department Stores Co.

Georgetown, Texas -- Sport Clips Haircuts announced Wednesday that it will open its first store in Canada on March 1.

The Burlington, Ontario, franchised location is the first of three planned for the city by master franchisor Sport Clips Canada.
 
In addition to Burlington, Sport Clips Canada currently has 26 stores under contract to open throughout Ontario and British Columbia. Sport Clips Canada said it plans to open 50 stores within the next three years, 100 stores in five years and 200 stores in 10 years.

New York -- Britain’s Topshop is planning on increasing its U.S. presence. The fashion chain plans to open 10 additional stores in the United Stores over the next two years, according to the New York Daily News.
   
There are currently four U.S. Topshop stores, with the most recent being a flagship at The Grove in Los Angeles. The 25,000-sq.-ft. store carries the retailer's full range, including its Topman brand for men.

Dallas -- Red Mango said Wednesday it has secured an area development agreement to expand the yogurt chain to Central America.

El Salvador-based Nutrisal will open its first store in San Salvador next month at Plaza Santa Elena. Total unit development plans were not announced.

Miami Beach, Fla. -- Electric vehicle charging company Car Charging Group said Wednesday that former Wal-Mart Stores president and CEO Bill Fields has been appointed to its board of directors.

Retail veteran Fields has also led Blockbuster Entertainment Group as its chairman and CEO and also served in the same capacity at Hudson’s Bay Co.

New York -- As shares of his company reached an all-time high, fashion designer and retailer Michael Kors will sell 3 million of his shares as part of a secondary offering of 25 million shares, according to a Tuesday regulatory filing.

Kors' ownership in Michael Kors Holdings Inc. will fall to about 4.8 million shares, or 2.4%, down from 3.9% after the sale.