Strategy

Laredo, Texas -- Brentwood, Tenn.-based GBT Realty said Wednesday it has completed construction of a new shopping center that is home to four new retailers. The fully occupied McPherson Place, in Laredo, Texas, is tenanted by James Avery, Orange Leaf, Starbucks Coffee and AT&T. All four stores are open for business.

“The quality of this location allowed us to completely fill the center with an outstanding list of retailers,” said Fraser Schaufele, VP leasing at GBT.

NEW YORK — Abercrombie & Fitch in its annual report revealed that it plans to open Abercrombie & Fitch flagship stores in Seoul and Shanghai in 2013, as well as 20 international Hollister stores. The news sent the teen retailer’s shares rising on Wednesday.

The company also said in the report that it is maintaining its focus on boosting profitability by simplifying processes, eliminating less-profitable parts of its business, shoring up efficiencies and cutting expenses.

Vancouver, British Columbia -- Lululemon Athletica Inc. said that chief product officer Sheree Waterson will be leaving Lululemon effective April 15, in what it described as a “leadership change in the product organization.”

The news comes just weeks after the specialty retailer had to recall its signature Luon-fabric yoga pants from store shelves for being too sheer. The company warned that the move could lead to shortages and dent its profit by up to $40 million this fiscal year.

Lululemon Athletica, manufacturer of yoga-inspired athletic apparel has announced that its chief product officer, Sheree Waterson, will be leaving the company effective April 15.

“We appreciate the many contributions that Sheree made during her time with lululemon, particularly in the area of design,” said Lululemon’s CEO Christine Day.

Waterson joined Lululemon in 2008 and has more than 25 years of consumer and retail industry experience.

Los Angeles -- Sport Chalet announced the company-wide implementation of order today, deliver today service. With this new service Sport Chalet customers can order merchandise and have it delivered the same day.

ROANOKE, Va. — Advance Auto has named George Sherman president of the company as part of its effort to simplify company leadership.

In his role as president, Sherman will be responsible for growing commercial and driving excellence throughout the company’s operations. Sherman will lead the company’s commercial sales, field operations, store operations support, merchandising, marketing, supply chain and e-commerce teams.

New York -- New York City-based supermarket chain Fairway Market is going public. The company said in a regulatory filing Thursday that it expects its stock to price in the range of $10 to $12 per share as it looked to raise as much as $164 million.

Fairway operates 12 locations in the greater New York City metro area and in on track to open a store this summer in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood and one in Nanuet, N.Y, in the fall.
 

New York -- Real estate industry veteran Laura Pomerantz said Monday she has launched a new firm, Laura Pomerantz Real Estate, focused on retail and office real estate transactions.

“As the retail landscape continues to evolve and companies re-evaluate their real estate portfolios, we look forward to working closely with our clients to develop both domestic and global real estate strategies that best facilitate growth and defines their brands,” said Pomerantz, founder and president, New York City-based Laura Pomerantz Real Estate.