Strategy

LaVida Massage to open new center
Marietta, Ga. -- LaVida Massage said it will open a new location in Marietta, Ga., on Lower Roswell Rd.

The newest location is slated to open Oct. 1 in 3,000 sq. ft., and is owned and managed by Georgia Master Developers Terry Sharp and Duane Goodwin.
Office Depot exec terminated for improper relationship
Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot said Monday that the president of its international division has been terminated effective immediately, for having what the retailer called an “improper relationship” with a co-worker.

“Charlie Brown was terminated for having an improper relationship with another associate,” said Neil Austrian, Office Depot’s chairman and CEO. “The company has a zero tolerance policy in this regard.”

Eight national retailers to open at River Chase

Covington, La. -- Stirling Properties said Monday that River Chase Shopping Center Phase Two, which broke ground in August, has added eight new national tenants that will bring 85,000 sq. ft. of retail space to River Chase as part of an expansion to the development’s existing shopping center. All stores are expected to open spring 2012.
Focus on: Retail Finance
Payless supports breast cancer awareness with special earrings

TOPEKA, Kan. — Payless announced that it is supporting breast cancer awareness with the sale of a special earring set. Sales from the earrings, which cost $2 and are available in stores and online, will go toward helping Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world's largest breast cancer organization and the largest source of non-profit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer.
West Elm to open first Washington location

Brooklyn, N.Y. -- Williams Sonoma-owned home-furnishings retailer West Elm said Tuesday that it will make its Washington State debut with a new store in Seattle, slated to open Oct. 6.

The 15,000-sq.-ft. store will feature a number of unique design details, according to West Elm, including a living wall and an art installation designed specifically for the location.

Like other West Elm stores, the Seattle location is designed using green materials and includes low-energy lighting, low-VOC paints and reclaimed hardwood floors.
For the Long Haul
Walgreens profit leaps 69% in Q4

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens reported Tuesday that profit for its fiscal fourth quarter surged 69%, in part due to gains from the $525 million sale of its pharmacy benefits management business Walgreens Health Initiatives during the quarter.

Net income for the quarter ended Aug. 31 rose to $792 million, up from $470 million in the year-ago period and surpassing Wall Street expectations.

Revenue rose 6.5% to $18 billion and same-store sales increased 4.4%.
Bankruptcy judge approves Borders sale to Barnes & Noble

New York City -- A Bloomberg report on Tuesday said that Borders Group has garnered court approval for the sale of its intellectual property to Barnes & Noble after a recent question about privacy issues was resolved.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Martin Glenn in Manhattan approved the transaction after reviewing new terms between Borders and Barnes & Noble that will protect the privacy rights of 48 million customers.
Focus on: Del Mar Highlands Town Center

LaVida Massage to open new center

Office Depot exec terminated for improper relationship

Eight national retailers to open at River Chase

Focus on: Retail Finance

Payless supports breast cancer awareness with special earrings

West Elm to open first Washington location

For the Long Haul

Walgreens profit leaps 69% in Q4

Bankruptcy judge approves Borders sale to Barnes & Noble

Focus on: Del Mar Highlands Town Center