Corporate Governance

What General Growth’s CEO really said about Amazon’s expansion plans
A passing reference at the end of a conference call about Amazon.com’s possible plans for physical stores by General Growth Properties' CEO has taken on a life of its own with speculation raging that the online retailer will soon open 400 stores.
Report: U.S. retail and consumer M&A value at five-year high in 2015
The year 2015 was a big one for mergers and acquisitions in the retail and consumer sectors, with 31 multibillion dollar deals driving activity during the year.

United States retail and consumer (R&C) total transaction value for 2015 hit a five-year high and surpassed the $100 billion mark for the third year in a row, according to PwC’s U.S. retail and consumer deals insights 2015 Year in Review and 2016 Outlook report.

Gordon Brothers finance unit names board member CEO

Eugene Martin was named president and CEO at Gordon Brothers Finance Company succeeding Patrick Dalton who had previously announced plans to step down.
TV’s long-running cartoon family to get their very own branded stores

Springfield may be home to the “The Simpsons.” But it won’t be home to the first-ever retail store dedicated to the long-running (27 years) television cartoon series.

20th Century Fox has announced that the world's first Simpsons store will open in Beijing, China, in March, followed by a second location, in Shanghai, by June.
Target exec joins cybersecurity board

Brad Maiorino, Target senior VP and chief information security officer, is the newest member of the Retail Cyber Intelligence Sharing Center (R-CISC) board of directors.

R-CISC is an organization of more than 50 members representing retail and other consumer-facing companies which provides a network to communicate about cyberthreats and vulnerabilities, and to share best practices in data protection and breach mitigation.
Toys 'R' Us enlists big banks as finances improve

Better than expected holiday season and full year profitability at Toys “R” Us has the left the company optimistic about 2016 and looking at a financial restructuring which could free resources for growth initiatives.

Toys “R” Us said its estimated, unaudited and adjusted earnings before interest taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased 21% to $780 million during the fiscal year ended Jan. 30. Excluding a $42 million negative impact of foreign currency translation EBITDA grew 28%.
Giant makes big on-demand delivery move

Landover, Maryland-based Giant Food is joining the trend of retailers making online deliveries to places beyond consumer homes.

The Peapod by Giant online delivery service is now allowing Washington, D.C.-area shoppers to place their orders online and pick them up at one of three Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) stations: Fort Totten, Glenmont and Vienna. Peapod is an online grocer that shares its Ahold parent company with Giant and will execute deliveries for the service.
Carry On, Salt Lake City International Airport

Brookstone has unveiled a new retail brand, Carry On, in the Delta Terminal at the Salt Lake City International Airport.

Created for airport locations and designed by Boston-based Bergmeyer Associates, the approximate 800-sq.-ft. store offers an assortment of travel-friendly products, from “packable” apparel to luggage and wallets. Additional locations are expected to open this year.
Albertsons personnel move brings together pharmacy, center store

Albertsons announced Tuesday that Mark Panzer, who was named the company's SVP pharmacy, health and wellness in May 2015, has accepted the additional responsibility of leading general merchandise and HABA (health and beauty aid).
Analysis: Why J.C. Penney will win with appliances

Photo: J.C. Penney launched appliances at 22 stores in three test markets this week, including the inviting presentation shown above at a store in Tampa.

Large appliances are back at select J.C. Penney stores after a 30 year hiatus and when – not if – the merchandising initiative is rolled out more broadly the contribution to same store sales growth could be huge.
Coach to go big on Fifth Avenue

Coach will celebrate its 75th anniversary with the opening of a three-level flagship on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan,

The store, at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 54th Street, is due to open in the fall.
REI to expand footprint in two states

Specialty outdoor retailer REI is on the move.

The company has two new stores in the works, one in Rochester, New York, and the other in Winter Park, Florida.

Expected to open in fall 2016, REI Rochester will be located at CityGate, which is in the heart of the city's university and hospital district. With the Finger Lakes and several ski resorts nearby, the 27,000-sq.-ft. store will carry gear and apparel for snow and water sports.