Corporate Governance

The Body Shop has always been known for being on the cutting edge of sustainability trends, and now the company is unveiling a new global CSR strategy on its 40th anniversary.

The beauty retailer's new corporate sustainability strategy aims to position the company as a leader in ethical business and define the next stage of development of the business.

So much for the argument that the U.S. market is saturated with retail stores and e-commerce is hurting mall traffic. Tanger Factory Outlet Centers brought four new properties online in 2015 and still managed to achieve a portfolio occupancy rate in excess of 95% for the 35th consecutive year.
 

Surpassing $3 billion in annual sales last year was a big deal for Skechers and now CEO Robert Greenberg is banking on the addition of more than 300 new stores to help the company set another sales record in 2016.

Skechers plans to open between 330 and 340 stores this year, projecting it will have a year-end total of 1,650 locations, of which 575 will be company owned. The accelerated pace of expansion is easy to understand given the powerful contribution the company’s physical footprint had on its fourth quarter and full year sales and profit performance.

Women’s apparel retailer Joyce Leslie is calling it a day.

The company announced that it has received approval from the U.S. Federal Bankruptcy Court for a sale of its intellectual property and retail store leases, along with the lease of its corporate office and distribution center.

The Body Shop, a pioneer of ethical business practices in retail, is reaffirming its commitment to corporate social responsibility as it celebrates its 40th anniversary.

The all-natural beauty retailer has unveiled a new CSR strategy, “Enrich Not Exploit,” that extends to all areas of its operations and is aimed at making the company “the world’s most ethical and truly sustainable global business.”

The National Retail Federation (NRF) is publicly supporting what it calls “e-fairness” legislation that would extend the reach of state sales taxes to online transactions.

Under present regulations, a state can only charge a sales tax on an Internet sale conducted by an entity that has some type of physical presence in that state.

Retail industry sales will grow an estimated 3.1% in 2016, outpacing the 10 year industry average, as economic headwinds diminish, according to a forecast released by the National Retail Federation.

The NRF sales forecast of 3.1% excludes automobiles, gas stations and restaurants and exceeds the 10 year growth rate of 2.7%. Non-store retail sales are forecast to growth between 6% and 9%.

One of the major components of J.C. Penney's transformation strategy is getting a boost this week when the retailer launches its new Belle + Sky collection aimed at millennials.

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties announced that it closed on a new 10/90 joint venture for Triangle Town Center and Commons in Raleigh, North Carolina, with DRA Advisors. The new joint venture acquired the property from the existing 50/50 joint venture between CBL and The Richard E. Jacobs Group for a total consideration of $174.0 million, including assumption of a $171.1 million loan secured by the property. CBL now holds a 10% ownership position in the asset and is responsible for leasing and managing, earning customary fees.

Los Angeles -- Westwood Financial Corp. appointed Jeanne Lazar as CFO. Lazar joins the company with more than 20 years of diverse commercial real estate finance experience. As CFO, Lazar will oversee all finance and accounting functions, including portfolio performance review and the development of financial and operational strategies.

“I’m honored to join Westwood Financial Corp. and look forward to working with the team to further the company’s goals to grow and expand in the grocery-anchored retail space,” said Lazar.