Corporate Governance

NRF supports Senate vote on Trade Promotion Authority
Washington, D.C. - The National Retail Federation (NRF) is publicly supporting the May 14 Senate vote on Trade Promotion Authority. Trade Promotion Authority is legislation from Congress outlining objectives and oversight for trade negotiations between the U.S. and other countries.
Cinepolis USA to join Steelpointe Harbor mixed-use center in Connecticut
Bridgeport, Conn. – Los Angeles-based cinema operator Cinépolis USA will open a 12-screen, 1,200-seat luxury hybrid theater at Steelpointe Harbor, a mixed-use development in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Ferrara Jerum international partner and Steelpointe Harbor leasing consultant Douglas Jerum made the announcement.

Regal Cinemas comes to Celebration Pointe in Florida

Gainesville, Fla. - Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE:RGC) will open a 10-screen reserved-seating luxury theater at Celebration Pointe, a 225-acre, mixed-use regional development located in Gainesville, Florida. Celebration Pointe partner Ralph Conti made the announcement.
Same store sales at Hhgregg drop 10%

Hhgregg President and CEO Dennis May played the “pleased with significant progress on transformation efforts” card after the company reported abysmal sales for its fourth quarter ended March 31.

The retailer said same store sales decreased 10%. Net sales decreased 9.8% to $485.6 million. Revenue dropped 10% to $485.6 million. The company had a loss of $25.2 million, or 91 cents a share, wider than its prior-year quarter loss of $7.2 million, or 25 cents a share.
Party City celebrates 'impressive' Q1

Party City’s CEO says robust sales prompted an “impressive” increase in same store sales in the first quarter, the company’s first quarterly report after an April IPO.
Dollar General donates millions toward literacy

Dollar General is making a difference in the lives of its customers and their communities with another massive donation to literacy programs.

The retailer’s Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $5.8 million in grants to support adult, family and summer literacy programs to approximately 720 schools, nonprofits and literacy organizations across the 43 states Dollar General serves.
Big Lots grows goodwill in Ohio

Big Lots employees in Ohio will be going to work for their communities in 2015, but not in a retail store.

The company's associates in the West Columbus area will be planting and maintaining a 17-bed community garden and hope to harvest more than 2,000 pounds of fresh produce in 2015 for the LSS Westside Food Pantry through the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.
Albertsons names new pharmacy chief

The parent company of Albertsons and Safeway has named a drugstore industry veteran as its new SVP of pharmacy, health and wellness.
RILA details retailers' actions on data security

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) spoke out in Washington, D.C., this week on the steps retailers are taking to protect against data breaches.
Simon Property to invest $1B in key malls

Simon Property Group will expand several shopping centers in the United States, with plans to invest approximately $1 billion annually in renovations.
Repeat customers fuel shoes.com's record Q1

Fast-growing retailer shoes.com is on track to generate $300 million in sales after reporting a blockbuster first quarter.

In its first quarterly financial report since consolidating three online businesses under one platform, the company reported an increase in gross revenue of 89% to a record $60 million and a 129% increase in revenue from repeat customers. Gross profit margins remained robust at 44%.
Winter’s toll on retailers includes high snow removal bills

New York -- It’s no secret that the past winter took a heavy toll on retailers, with bitterly cold weather and snow storms keeping customers at home and sales down. But the snow also had a negative impact on retailers in other ways, as Kohl’s Corp. revealed Thursday on its quarterly conference with analysts.