Corporate Governance

Disruption Heads Up NRF’s Big Show
As digital disruptors continue to alter retail operations, brands are working to harness these emerging innovations to drive engagement among shoppers and employees. Look for the National Retail Federation’s upcoming 106th annual convention to educate attendees on these and other critical business strategies.
Election: Don’t Pop the Cork Yet
In the days and weeks since Election Day, much has been written about the impact results will have on store and restaurant operators. Other than some unease regarding trade and consumer confidence, entry-level employers generally feel optimistic about what might lie ahead with policy changes to taxes, wages and healthcare.
Most employers feel like they had a big “win” election night and in many cases, they may be right. But I think it’s a little early for employers to lace up their shoes for a collective victory lap around the boardroom.

Tech to the Rescue

Tech solutions helping secure safety of customers, employees
Retailers have been making investments in technology for years, mainly as a means of improving the customer experience. However, as more shocking incidents, such as active shootings, take place at retail malls, new technology investments focus on solutions that ward off violence.
HEIGHTENED SECURITY

Preparedness is key for mall owners, retailers
“Just wanting to make sure, No. 1, it is a safe environment; and No. 2, everyone knows it is a safe environment.”
That was the comment Mark Peterson made to a local news station in Rockford, Ill., regarding his top priorities after undergoing what could easily qualify as every mall manager’s biggest nightmare.
Fazoli’s Tackles Overtime Head On

With some 2,975 team members in its 123 company-owned restaurants and support center, Fazoli’s, the nation’s largest fast-casual Italian restaurant chain, estimates 210 employees are directly impacted by the Department of Labor’s new overtime rules. CSA spoke with company president and CEO Carl Howard about the chain’s strategy regarding the regulations, which take effect on Dec. 1.
How do you think the new overtime rule will impact your workplace?
2017 Update

RILA looks ahead to what retailers can expect in the coming year
With the historic 2016 election behind us, there has been much speculation about what to expect from Washington in the coming year.
With consideration of a Republican-controlled Congress and President-elect Trump’s proposed policies, the Retail Industry Leaders Association has outlined below the key legislative and regulatory issues retailers should be aware of in 2017:
Sears gets another lifeline from CEO — this time backed with real estate

For the second time in a week, Sears Holdings Corp. is borrowing money from the hedge fund of its CEO. The embattled retailer has entered into a $500 million secured loan facility (maturing in July 2020) with ESL Investments, the hedge fund controlled by Sears chairman and CEO Edward Lampert. Of the total, $321 million was funded immediately, and an additional $179 million may be drawn in the future.
CBRE acquires real estate tech company

CBRE announced it has acquired Floored, a provider of 3-D graphics technology that helps retailers envision build-outs of their commercial space. Its SaaS (Software as a Service) solutions figure to quickly be incorporated into CBRE’s leasing operations.
Amazon making plans to enter a hot apparel segment

Job postings by Amazon may have revealed the company’s newest apparel entry: athleisure. Several online job listings published by Amazon in December suggest that the online giant is developing a line of workout apparel, reported ReCode.
Amazon plans for second Jacksonville DC

The Sunshine State will gain another Amazon fulfillment center. On the heels of its recent announcement to open a new warehouse in Jacksonville, Fla., the retail giant is planning to open a second facility in the same city, and employ an additional 1,000 workers. Jacksonville’s first fulfillment center was announced six months ago.
Study: Returns process remains flawed

Retailers’ returns policies are critical factors in consumers' purchasing decisions. But many consumers are far from pleased with their experience. This was revealed in Voxware’s third biennial report, which highlights why consumers return items purchased online or by phone and how their experiences with the returns process affects their future intentions to shop with retailers.
When it comes to overstoring, China’s the champ

U.S. real estate developers and brokers coping with epic changes in the retail landscape can take some solace from the fact that, when it comes to overstoring, America’s got nothing on China. A list of cities with the most shopping center space under construction from CBRE Research had Chinese cities occupying 11 of the top 12 spots, led by Chongqing with 39.8 million sq. ft. being built. Shenzhen (38.7 million) and Chengdu (37.6 million) weren’t far behind.