Corporate Governance

Election year manuevers and their impact on retailers
With 2016 upon us, many employers find themselves nervously awaiting what election-year politics might bring to their doorsteps. Retailers and restaurant operators, more than ever, have been thrust front and center into the political landscape, with labor issues at the top of candidate's agendas as well as the subject of numerous ballot issues at the state and local level. As a result, the business models and labor practices of entry-level employers are being evaluated by the public in much the same way the candidates are.
How Duluth Trading does clicks to bricks
Duluth Holdings built its brand online and now, fresh of its first quarter as a public company, the quirky apparel retailer thinks it could open as many as 100 stores.

Kroger unveiling new store concept in Seattle

A new retail brand called Main & Vine is entering Kroger’s extensive store portfolio soon and it could spell more trouble for Whole Foods Market and other competitors.

A website for the new concept is filled with beautiful photos of fresh products and bills the store as a place, “where eating is healthy, affordable and fun!” The site does not offer an indication of when the store will open other than soon.
Executive shake-up at Abercrombie & Fitch; suspends search for CEO

There’s been a top-level shakeup at Abercrombie & Fitch Co., with the company announcing a big promotion for one executive and the departure of another.

The retailer elevated the head of its Hollister brand, Fran Horowitz, to the newly created role of president and chief merchandising officer with responsibility for all brands. It also announced the departure of Christos Angelides, who has served as president of the Abercrombie brand since October 2014. And it said that it has suspended its active hunt for a CEO.
Modell’s Sporting Goods continues to expand Northeast footprint

Three City Sports stores are being given a new lease on life.

Modell’s Sporting Goods has acquired three prime Northeast locations from City Sports, which filed for bankruptcy protection in October 2015 and subsequently announced plans to close all its stores. Beginning in early 2016, the stores, which range from 7,500 sq. ft. - 9,000 sq. ft. and are located in Philadelphia, Boston and Washington, D.C., will start to transition to the Modell’s format.
British activewear brand taps Bain exec to lead U.S. growth

Sweaty Betty, the London-based athleisure brand, is gearing up for expansion in the United States.

The retailer named Erika Serow president and CEO of its U.S. business, effective Jan. 18, Women’s Wear Daily reported. Serow has served as retail practice leader for the Americas region for Bain & Co. since 2013, with a focus on the apparel sector. She started at Bain in 1995.
Now Trending: As The Crystal Ball Drops

“Now Trending” is an exclusive online series to chainstoreage.com, featuring trending topics that impact the retail real estate landscape.
Chef Nobu to open flagship at 60-acre coastal development in the heart of Honolulu

Photo: Chef Nobu Matsuhisa
The Shoppes at Windmill Place under new ownership

Batavia, Ill. -- Mid-America Real Estate Corp. announced its Investment sales team brokered the sale of The Shoppes at Windmill Place in Batavia, Illinois. Cincinnati-based Phillips Edison purchased the 122,176-sq. ft. grocery-anchored property.

The Shoppes at Windmill Place is anchored by Jewel Osco and features national retailers including Comcast, Dunkin’ Donuts, Mattress Firm, Subway and more.
Tyco minds the store with latest acquisition

Security technology specialist Tyco International plc is continuing to expand its focus on providing store analytics to retailers.

Tyco has reached a definitive agreement to acquire ShopperTrak, a global provider of retail consumer behavioral data and location-based analytics, for approximately $175 million in cash.

Based in Chicago, ShopperTrak provides customer traffic and related intelligence to more than 1,200 retailers in 97 countries.
Burlington board adds Bright Horizons exec

Off-price retailer Burlington Stores named the former president and COO of Bright Horizons Family Solutions as the newest member of its nine-person board.

Mary Ann Tocio, former president and COO at Bright Horizons, joins the Burlington board following a 23 year career at the child care company. She retired in July 2015.
Home Depot makes more environmental improvements

The pursuit of sustainability goals at Home Depot has been such a boon to efficiency the company just set major new goals.

The retailer said by 2020 it plans to reduce total energy use by an additional 20% below 2010 consumption levels and procure 135 megawatts of electricity from a combination of onsite fuel cell and solar installs in addition to offsite solar and wind sources.