Strategy

Wilmington, Del. -- Philadelphia-based Michael Salove Co., an X Team partner, said Tuesday it has completed a lease transaction with Aarron’s Furniture Rentals at Christina Crossing, located in Wilmington, Del.

Aarron’s will occupy 6,705 sq. ft. and is slated to open March 2011. Existing tenants include Shop Rite, Wine & Spirits, Cricket Wireless, Hibachi Sushi and Supreme Buffet.

The 2010 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards program recognized retailers from across the nation. Several of the regional retail winners are profiled below.



Matt Rubel learned his craft at an early age. The 52-year-old chief of footwear giant Collective Brands Inc., parent to such brands as Payless ShoeSource, Stride Rite and Sperry Top-Sider, was introduced to retail by his parents.


“I worked in their stores growing up, starting at a very young age,” Rubel said. “I learned that I loved customers and their passion for shopping.”


Rubel has remained true to his early vocation. After graduating college in 1979, he started his career at the legendary Bonwit Teller in New York. From there, he went on to hold leadership positions at some of the nation’s most prominent retail brands. From 1999 to 2005, Rubel served as chairman, president and CEO of Cole Haan, a subsidiary of Nike, where he led a multi-year turnaround,

By Andy Monshaw, [email protected]

Today's consumers are more informed, influential and decisive than ever before. They demand more from their retailers, both face-to-face and virtually. Those retailers that don’t get it right, risk losing not only their business, but also their endorsement -- with friends, family, and a whole host of online followers. Small to midsize retailers, especially, feel the pressure to find new ways to forge lasting relationships with customers.

Seattle -- Starbucks Coffee Co. and International Paper, with Mississippi River Pulp, LLC, have completed a six-week pilot project that -- for the first time -- proved Starbucks used paper cups can be recycled into new paper cups. This advancement brings Starbucks one step closer to its goal of ensuring 100% of its cups are reusable or recyclable by 2015.

Hudson, Ohio -- Jo-Ann Stores reported net income for its fiscal 2011 third quarter ended Oct. 30, of $29.1 million, up from $24.1 million in the year ago period. The retailer also raised its full-year outlook.

Net sales for the third quarter increased 5.1% to $535.3 million, from $509.1 million last year. Same-store sales increased 4.1%.

Chairman and CEO Darrell Webb said the chain was encouraged by the results in its new and remodeled stores, and was increasing its plan for both new store openings and remodel projects in fiscal 2012.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Pier 1 Imports said on Thursday that its same-store sales rose 10.2% for the quarter ended Nov. 27, a little better than it had expected when it made a prediction last month.

Third-quarter total revenue rose 8.3% to $354 million.

President and CEO Alex W. Smith said strong results in September and October carried into November and the Thanksgiving weekend. Pier 1 stores got more visitors who spent more money, compared with the same period last year, Smith said.