Corporate Governance

CVS/pharmacy awarded LEED Platinum for store in New Haven, Conn.
Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS Health said that the CVS/pharmacy store in West Haven, Conn., has been awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification. It the first CVS store to be certified with the U.S. Green Building Council’s highest distinction and the retailer’s eighth LEED-certified building. 
Palladin Consumer Retail Partners takes major investment in Harrys of London
Boston -- Palladin Consumer Retail Partners announced a majority investment in Harrys of London, a London-based luxury shoemaker and accessories house known for combining traditional craftsmanship with the latest footwear technology. The Palladin investment will provide Harrys with capital to expand its operating team, open additional retail stores and invest in new initiatives to fund growth including marketing, merchandising, product development, and e/m-commerce.

Construction complete on Azalea Regional Shopping Center

South Gate, Calif. -- Construction on the Nadel-designed Azalea Regional Shopping Center is now complete, bringing a new 32-acre retail hub to the city of South Gate, Calif. Located at 4635 Firestone Blvd., and owned by Primestor Development, Inc., the project includes more than 370,000 sq. ft. of retail space and 37 stores.
Cohen Commercial completes refinancing of Buttermilk Crossing

New York -- Cohen Commercial Properties has completed an $8.65 million refinancing of Buttermilk Crossing, located in Crescent Springs, Ky. The 94%-occupied, 78,012-sq.-ft. shopping center is located immediately off of Interstate 71/75. Tenants include Staples, Outback Steakhouse, Petco and The UPS Store.
Disrupting the Downturn — Avoiding the Lost Sale

By Farla Efros, HRC Advisory
Commentary: Chip-and-PIN Increases Cybersecurity

By Sandy Kennedy, president of RILA  (Editor’s note: The president of the Retail Industry Leaders Association, Sandy Kennedy, wrote the following op-ed in The Hill, discussing why chip-and-PIN is one important layer of protection retailers, banks and the government can provide consumers.)
Golfsmith International opens at Downtown Summerlin

Las Vegas -- Golfsmith International, the world's largest specialty golf retailer, has opened a 23,000-sq.ft. store in the just-opened Downtown Summerlin center, located outside of Las Vegas.
Canadian digital revolution coming to America

Revolutionary has become the most overused term in the retail industry and the latest company to apply that description to its retail offering is ironically called Retailcommon.
Retail vet Michael Rayden, CEO of tween-brand Justice, to retire in January

Mahwah, N.J. -- Michael Rayden, president and CEO of Ascena Retail Group’s tween apparel brands Justice and Brothers, and a member of the Ascena board, is retiring at the end of Jan. 2015. Ascena has tapped Herbert Mines Associates to start a global search for a president and CEO of Justice and Brothers.
Great American Group selected as stalking horse bidder for Alco stores

Los Angeles --Great American Group has been selected as a stalking horse bidder in the potential liquidation of Alco Stores, which operates 198 general merchandise discount stores in 23 states. Great American is a leading provider of asset disposition and auction solutions, advisory and valuation services, capital investment, and real estate advisory services.
Mixed Use: A Mixed Bag

By Bruce Leonard and John Cumbelich
Staples investigating possible data breach

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples Inc. is reportedly investigating a possible data breach. According to security blogger Brian Krebs, sources at several East Coast-based banks say it is likely that criminals gained access to customer card data at a group of Northeastern Staples stores including seven stores in Pennsylvania, at least three in New York City, and one in New Jersey.