Corporate Governance

Houston — Simon Property Group has announced four new leases for The Galleria in Houston.

Rolex will open an 1,800-sq.-ft. store next summer in Galleria I. Taking 2,815 sq. ft. Tourbillon will open its first Houston store in Galleria II in the early summer of 2014. Tod’s will debut in Houston with a 2,000-sq.-ft. store opening in Galleria I in early summer 2015. Trina Turk will open a 1.400-sq.-ft. store in the fall of 2014 in Galleria I.

North Plainfield, Manahawkin, N.J. — The Stafford Park shopping center in Manahawkin, N.J. has named Levin Management as its exclusive leasing agent. The 350-acre mixed-use redevelopment project includes 400,000 sq. ft. of retail space, including anchor tenants Costco and Target. The site has received approval to add another 195,000 sq. ft. The new retail space includes several pad sites.

Wilmington, N.C. — Dick’s Sporting Goods and Marshalls will anchor Phase II of the 203,000-sq.-ft. Mayfaire Community Center in the master-planned 400-acre mixed-use community of Mayfaire in Wilmington, N.C. Harris Teeter anchors Phase I of the center.

The Westfield Group has agreed to purchase the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s remaining 50% interest in the World Trade Center’s retail square footage. The purchase price is US$800 million. Following the transaction, expected to close early next year, Westfield will own 100% of the retail space, which totals 365,000 sq. ft.

By Gary Ambrosino, president, TimeTrade

The November Consumer Confidence Index made headlines as the numbers slumped to the lowest point within the last six months. On the surface, this could cause concern for retailers this holiday season. However, when you’re in a store, how often do you actually think about an economic indicator when you’re deciding how much to spend?

Anaheim, Calif. – Pacific Sunwear experienced explosive growth in net income during the third quarter of fiscal 2013, skyrocketing to $17.2 million from $948,000.

Net sales fell 4% to $206.6 million from $215.5 million, while same-store sales grew 1%.

Pittsburgh – American Eagle reported disappointing results for the third quarter of fiscal 2013. Net income plummeted 68% to $24.9 million from $78.6 million, missing Wall Street projections.

Total net revenue of $857 million decreased 6% compared to $910 million last year. Same-store sales fell 5%.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. – Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores reported mostly negative financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2013. Net earnings fell about 12% to $7.69 million, from $8.76 million.

A 2% decrease in same-store sales and unfavorable calendar shift due to the 53rd week in fiscal 2012 offset slight growth in net sales to $561.1 million from $556.9 million.

Nashville, Tenn. – Genesco’s net earnings fell 34% to $27.7 million, from $42.1 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2013 for Genesco. The company also reported a slight increase in net sales, to $666.3 million from $664.4 million, during the same period.

Washington, D.C. – The National Retail Federation estimated that the retail industry added 13,500 jobs in November, and 268,500 year-over-year.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Situation report showed that November total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 203,000, with the unemployment rate at 7%.