Strategy

Hackettstown, N.J. -- Purchase, N.Y.-based National Realty & Development Corp. said that Party City has leased 15,000 sq. ft. at Mansfield Commons, located in Hackettstown, N.J.

The 283,000-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by a recently expanded Walmart and Kohl’s.

Washington, D.C. -- The Conference Board said Tuesday that its Consumer Confidence Index reached its highest level in eight months as Americans grew more optimistic about the job market.

The Index climbed to 60.6 this month, up from 53.3 in December. While that reading surpassed expectations, it still falls short of the 90 level that indicates a healthy consumer mindset.

The January figure was the highest since last May's 62.7, and hasn’t been above 90 since the recession began in December 2007.

Cleveland -- Sherwin-Williams Co. reported Tuesday that net income for its fourth quarter increased to $72.9 million, compared with $65.3 million in the prior year.

Revenue rose to just under $1.9 billion, from $1.6 billion. Wall Street expected revenue of $1.78 billion.

DALLAS -- Tuesday Morning reported that net income for the quarter ended Dec. 31 was $17.3 million, compared with $18.5 million in the year-ago period.

Net sales decreased 3.6% to $279.3 million from $289.6 million. Same-store sales decreased 3.2%.

According to Kathleen Mason, president and CEO: "We anticipate that we will return to positive comparable sales for the remainder of the fiscal year.” Tuesday Morning reported four consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth prior to the second quarter.

Salt Lake City -- Sunflower Farmers Market said Tuesday that it will open a new store in Salt Lake City on March 16.

The newest location marks the organic grocery chain’s third in Utah and the 33rd store overall for Sunflower Farmers Market.

Sunflower Farmers Market will open its first California location in April.

La Vista, Neb. -- Baltimore-based The Cordish Cos. said Monday that it will develop an upscale outlet center and entertainment district in La Vista’s Southport West Development. The burgeoning Omaha suburb is already home to a Cabela’s, La Vista Conference Center and several hotels.

Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS Caremark said Larry Merlo will succeed Thomas M. Ryan as CEO on March 1 as part of its previously announced succession strategy.

The company had announced in May that Merlo would take the position as Ryan approaches retirement. Merlo is currently the president and COO.

Ryan will remain chairman of the board until he retires in May, at which point David Dorman will take that position. Dorman has been a director since 2006.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. – The next chapter for CVS Caremark officially is under way as the company announced on Monday the next stage of its previously announced transition plan and officially named Larry Merlo, president and COO, as CEO, effective March. 1.

Tom Ryan, chairman, president and CEO, will remain nonexecutive chairman until his retirement at the company’s annual meeting of shareholders in May.