Strategy

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties announced that Sally Cooney has joined the company as regional director of leasing, charged with overseeing the Cincinnati regional leasing team’s efforts and merchandising strategy.   

Cooney most recently served as regional VP for General Growth Properties in its Atlanta regional office.

Sarasota, Fla. – Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based Taubman Centers and Sarasota, Fla.-based Benderson Development Co. announced the ground breaking on a $315-million, 880,000-sq.-ft. shopping center in Sarasota, Fla.

The Mall at University Town Center will be a two-level enclosed mall anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue, Dillard’s and Macy’s, and featuring more than 100 specialty stores and restaurants.

The Mall at University Town Center is scheduled to open in Oct. 2014.

Dallas -- A survey released Tuesday by Chase Paymentech, a subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co., found that online companies are expecting the 2012 holiday shopping season to be better than last year.

According to the Chase Paymentech eHoliday Shopping Monitor, 59% of e-commerce companies surveyed expect better sales volume this season than in 2011, while almost half (47%) expect it to be better than pre-recession levels in 2007.

Washington, D.C. -- A revised antitrust settlement on the issue of credit card swipe fees doesn't go far enough, The National Retail Federation said Friday.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Ikea helped out young people transition out of foster care by donating 110 bags filled with Ikea products.

The Ikea "starter kits" included sheets, a comforter, pots and pans, towels and other in-home necessities.

Dallas -- Tuesday Morning Corp. on Monday reported a loss of $7 million for the quarter ended Sept. 30, widened from a loss of $5.7 million in the year-ago quarter.

The clearance retailer’s new CEO Brady Churches also announced the departure of executive VP and COO Michael Marchetti, a 12-year veteran of Tuesday Morning.

In the first quarter, the company saw revenue edge up 1.3% to $172.8 million and same-store sales increased 1.7%.

Seattle -- Outdoor gear and apparel retailer REI said Monday it has promoted Brian Unmacht to COO, expanding his role to oversee retail, e-commerce, merchandising, private brands, information technology and supply chain.

Unmacht started at REI as a store supervisor in 1986 and has risen through the ranks, most recently serving as executive VP over sales, service, store development and logistics.

CLEVELAND — Greeting card maker American Greetings announced last week that its board has formed a committee of independent directors to consider an offer to privatize the company, reported the Associated Press.

According to AP, CEO Zev Weiss and his brother, president and COO Jeffrey Weiss, along with other investors and executives, submitted a proposal to the board on Sept. 25. The group wants to buy all of the company's common stock that it doesn't already own for $17.18 per share, valuing American Greetings at approximately $581 million.