Corporate Governance

NRF: Imports will slow in December as holiday rush ends
Washington, D.C. - Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to continue to slow down in December. According to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates, import volume at U.S. ports covered by the Global Port Tracker report is expected to total 1.37 million containers this month as the holiday shipping cycle winds down.
House approves bill to help retailers with remodeling costs
New York - The House has passed a long-delayed tax bill that will help retailers remodel their stores and also move a wide range of individuals including welfare recipients and veterans into the workforce. The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 now heads to the Senate. The package includes two key provisions on depreciation that affect retailers who remodel their stores and another that helps with hiring.

Neiman Marcus will anchor The Shops at Clearfork

Fort Worth, Texas - Simon will partner with Cassco Development Co. to develop the first phase of retail on the Edwards Ranch in Fort Worth into an approximately 500,000-sq.-ft. shopping destination. The Shops at Clearfork will be anchored by Neiman Marcus and include 100 high-end specialty stores, a premium luxury theater, and distinctive restaurants.
DLC Management announces 2.6-million-sq.-ft. portfolio acquisition
Tarrytown, New York - DLC Management Corporation announced its latest acquisition of 11 retail assets in New York, North Carolina, Arkansas and Tennessee totaling 2.58 million sq. ft., of which 1.73 million sq. ft. is owned property. According to DLC, this acquisition is the largest in its history. The The properties include:
- 2015 Walden Avenue, 26,500 sq. ft. – Cheektowaga, New York
- Batavia Commons, 49,431 sq. ft. – Batavia, New York
Macy’s to become downtown LA flagship at The Bloc

Los Angeles - The Ratkovich Company, with partners National Real Estate Advisors and Blue Vista Capital, announced that Macy's at The Bloc will receive a major upgrade to become a downtown Los Angeles flagship store. The partners will also bring San Francisco-based men's emporium Wingtip to The Bloc, along with a new retail gallery concept conceived in collaboration between CNTRLgroup and Otto Design Group.
Phillips Edison adopts LOC Card to enhance customer engagement

Cincinnati - Phillips Edison & Company announced a partnership with the LOC Card, a consumer engagement platform from LOC Enterprises which allows customers to participate in merchants’ loyalty programs and access their data and information from each program all in one place.
Simon announces plans to build Tulsa Premium Outlets

Tulsa, Oklahoma - Simon announced plans to bring Tulsa Premium Outlets to northeast Oklahoma. The project will be built in two phases at the intersection of US Highway 75 and West 61st Street in Tulsa. The first phase of the build out will be approximately 318,000 sq. ft. and an additional 82,000 sq. ft. will make up the second phase for a total of 400,000 sq. ft.
Belk reaps rewards of omnichannel strategy

Months after announcing a major upgrade in its e-commerce capabilities, Belk reported that its online sales grew 46% in the third quarter.

The Charlotte, N.C.-based operator of 300 department stores in 16 states attributed the increase in Internet sales to the company’s “Yes! We Have It” item locator program and store fulfillment of digital sales initiatives.
Simon to build $2.5B in new outlet malls

Retailers looking to grow their physical store presence have an ally in Simon Property Group, as the retail real estate leader is poised to expand its portfolio of Premium Outlets properties by adding 6.4 million square feet and a total investment of $2.5 billion.
RadioShack gets ‘weird’ for the holidays

Eighties sensation Weird Al Yankovic is offering RadioShack a new hope for the holidays.

Yankovic is appearing in the chain's holiday ad campaign called "Gift Smart.” In the ad, he sings his own unique take on the holiday song “Toyland.”

"He's tech-savvy, smart and a social media guru," said RadioShack chief marketing officer Jennifer Warren. Yankovich has more than 3.5 million Twitter followers and 1.6 million Facebook fans. "I don't think there could be a better fit for our brand right now."
Eastern Mountain Sports hires retail planning firm

Eastern Mountain Sports has enlisted JustEnough Software Corp., a leading provider of demand management solutions for retail, wholesale and direct-to-consumer businesses worldwide, to improve its inventory capabilities for its brick-and-mortar as well as its Internet site.
Kroger taking on obesity epidemic

Kroger is highlighting its efforts to fight the U.S. obesity epidemic at a nutrition forum in Italy this month.