Corporate Governance

May in Las Vegas is when the dealmakers come out to, well, make deals, as the International Council of Shopping Centers hosts its annual RECon event at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Westgate Las Vegas Hotel. Held May 22-25 and attended by retailers and shopping center owners from around the globe, RECon will display such project wares as mixed-use destinations, outlet centers, and strip and lifestyle projects — and everything in between.

Editor’s Note: The 27th annual survey of Fastest-Growing Managers tallies new domestic and international third-party management and leasing contracts obtained during the 2015 calendar year and ranks the top performers. As always, the measuring stick is square footage.

This year’s fastest-growing third-party managers are taking many roads to growth, from acquisition to a multidisciplinary focus.

James Rhee is a tech-savvy numbers and operations guy, but the private equity investor-turned retailer relied on more than business smarts and technology to help revive Ashley Stewart. Realizing that the plus-size brand inspired a deep love among its customers, he developed a core strategy of kindness and loyalty, a strategy that recognized Ashley Stewart represented respect, community and joy to its shoppers.

With the retail environment changing so rapidly today, and technology impacting everything a store does, the role of the chief financial officer has become more important than ever.

When I started recruiting in 1990, the business was much simpler — we hired retail executives based on a linear skillset, and departments operated in individual silos. Today, it is much more complex, as the C-suite works in collaboration to keep up with an increasingly savvy consumer.

So, what then do you look for in a CFO today?

Serena & Lily has opened a flagship in a landmark structure in Wesport, Connecticut.

The 3,100-sq.-ft., three-story store is located in the historic Kemper-Gunn House, which was built in 1889 in the Queen Anne Victorian style. The retailer worked to preserve the original charm and character of the house, from the elaborate detailing in the exterior façade to saving the interior trim, hardware, hand-carved staircase, and stained glass windows.

Amazon.com Inc. swung from loss to profit and significantly boosted net sales during a first quarter that topped analysts expectations.

The world’s largest online retailer reported better-than-expected net income of $513 million, compared to a net loss of $57 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015.

Expect the 365 by Whole Foods Market store format to look much different than the traditional Whole Foods store.

The concept, debuting in late May in Los Angeles, will feature a no-frills design, low fixtures and all-digital price tags, reported Business Insider, which was given a sneak peak of the format.

To see renderings of 365 and learn more about its details, click here.

Chicago is one of the nation’s leading retail markets and a new report from Mid-America Real Estate details the area’s evolving growth patterns, retailers driving development and hot properties.

Whole Foods Market will open its second 365 by Whole Foods Market store on July 14, in Lake Oswego, Oregon. The new format will make its debut in on May 25, in Los Angeles.

Retail Properties of America named Paula Maggio to the role of executive VP, general counsel and secretary, effective May 2.

Maggio joins Retail Properties of America following a 16 year career with Strategic Hotels & Resorts where she most recently served as executive VP, general counsel and secretary. Prior to that she practiced law with Altheimer & Gray, where she focused primarily on real estate and hospitality law.