Strategy

This is not your father’s (or my father’s) RECon. True, the conference wasn’t called that back then, but it is clear to me that this influential annual event is evolving. I see three relatively new RECon trends/developments that I think are significant beyond the conference itself; indicating bigger-picture changes within the broader retail real estate industry:

Stronger international presence

Chicago -- Galleria Retail Technology Solutions said Tuesday that Lithuanian retailer Maxima Grupe will use a range of Galleria solutions to automate and optimize its merchandising strategy.

Maxima plans to implement Intelligent Store Optimization, Behavioural Cluster Planning, Customer Centric Merchandising and Galleria Foundation Services in more than 400 stores across Eastern Europe, according to Edvinas Volkas, chief food purchaser at Maxima group.

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Shopatron, the flexible fulfillment company, has announced the appointment of Dave Morrison as its CFO.

New York -- Liz Claiborne Inc. said Tuesday that it has officially changed its name to Fifth & Pacific Cos., following an initial announcement in January that it would do so.

The company sold the Liz Claiborne and Monet brands to J.C. Penney Co. in November, freeing it up to concentrate more fully on its Juicy Couture, Lucky Brand and Kate Spade labels.

PITTSBURGH — Dick's Sporting Goods has raised its full year and second quarter outlooks after reporting substantial growth in sales and earnings for the first quarter. The company reported that net income for the quarter was $57.2 million, or 45 cents per diluted share, exceeding the company's earnings expectations provided on March 6 of 36 cents to 38 cents per diluted share. For the first quarter ended April 30, 2011, the company reported consolidated net income of $37.5 million, or 30 cents per diluted share.

New York -- Retail financial chiefs are increasingly optimistic about economic prospects over the next 12 months and plan to pivot toward expansion and adding jobs, according to a survey by American Express.

The fifth annual American Express/CFO Research Global Business & Spending Monitor, a survey of 541 senior finance executives from the United States, Europe, Canada, Latin America, Asia and Australia, revealed that investments in expanded operating capacity, research and development, and mergers and acquisitions are once again on the table.

Pittsburgh -- Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. reported Tuesday that profit for the quarter ended April 28 surged 53% to $57.2 million, compared with $37.5 million for the year-ago period. The sporting goods retailer raised its earnings outlook for the year.

“For 2012, we are raising our full year guidance as we continue to invest in new stores and our e-commerce business, as well as our margin accelerators including inventory management, private brands, and product mix shift,” said Edward W. Stack, CEO.

New York -- Saks Inc. reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended April 28 rose 13.2% to $32.1 million, from $28.4 million last year.

Revenue for the period climbed 3.8% to $753.6 million, missing Wall Street’s expected $762.6 million. Same-store sales rose 4.8%.