Strategy

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Convenience Stores has named Paige Anderson as its director of government relations.

Anderson has extensive experience on Capitol Hill, and has particular expertise in energy policy and cyber-security. She most recently served as deputy chief of staff and legislative director for Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack, the outgoing U.S. Representative for California's 45th congressional district.

NEW YORK — Iconix Brand Group has acquired the Umbro brand from Nike for $225 million in cash.

The purchase price was funded with Iconix’s recently completed $600 million securitized financing facility, which gives the company flexibility to pursue other deals. Iconix chairman and CEO Neil Cole alluded to that possibility in commenting on the Umbro acquisition.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Employees at the Grand Rapids-based retailer Meijer raised $3 million for the 2012 United Way Workforce Campaign for the second year in a row. The workforce campaign aims to improve the lives of those in need by meeting critical needs of the community.

ST. LOUIS — Grey Eagle Distributors, the Anheuser-Busch wholesaler for St. Louis County, has acquired the Illinois Distributing Company, an Anheuser-Busch wholesaler based in Belleville, Ill.  

The acquisition includes Illinois Distributing's assets and sales territory, which includes most of St. Clair County, Monroe County, Collinsville and Granite City. Grey Eagle will begin selling beer to retailers in the new territory today. Illinois Distributing sold approximately 2.6 million cases of beer annually.

SEATTLE — Nordstrom is relocating its full-line store located at South Bay Galleria three miles south to a two-level, 138,000-sq.-ft. location at the Del Amo Fashion Center that will open in 2015.
 

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Lowe’s will be adding the LG electronics brand to an already powerful portfolio of appliance brands that includes Frigidaire, Whirlpool, Samsung, KitchenAid, Maytag, Electroluc, GE and Bosch.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission name Stephanie Tsacoumis as its new general counsel effective December 10.

Tsacoumis joins CPSC after serving as vp and general counsel at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., from 2009 through 2012, where she was responsible for all legal affairs and compliance matters at the university, including health and safety regulations, litigation, federal contracts and grants, and intellectual property.

The Woodlands, Texas -- Conn's returned to a profit in its third quarter as the chain booked fewer charges and sales of furniture and mattresses improved. The company raised its fiscal 2013 forecast.

Conn’s, which also sells home appliances, consumer electronics and other items, posted a better-than-expected net income of $11.8 million for the three months ended Oct. 31, compared with a net loss of $12.7 million in the year-ago period. 

Revenue increased 11% to $206.4 million from $186.6 million. Same-store sales rose 12.6%.

Washington -- The National Retail Federation on Monday issued the following statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay regarding the strike that has shut down most terminals at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. NRF last week sent President Obama a letter asking that he intervene in the strike.

Huntington Beach, Calif. -- DJM Capital Partners announced that it has acquired about 11 acres from Crescent Heights for the retail and hotel portion of a planned mixed-use development Pacific City.

The company said it plans to develop on the original footprint and with almost 6.5 acres for 191,000 sq. ft. of open-air retail, restaurants and entertainment and four acres for an eight-story hotel.