Corporate Governance

Winston-Salem, N.C. -- Krispy Kreme plans to open its first store in Taiwan on Dec. 12. The new 2,400-sq.-ft. store will be located in Taipei and is the first of 10 planned Krispy Kreme stores in Taiwan during the next five years by Krispy Kreme's new franchise partner, Huan Hsin Co., Ltd.

The opening was initially announced to fans of the Krispy Kreme Taiwan Facebook page, and the retailer is giving away more than 10,000 dozen doughnuts at local events throughout Taipei.

Burlington, N.J. – Burlington Coat Factory shrunk its net loss to $7.4 million from $16.8 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2013, compared to the same period a year earlier.

The retailer also increased net sales 10% to $1.06 billion, from $967.9 million.

Burlington said the net sales increase was primarily attributable to a $53.2 million increase in sales related to new stores and stores previously opened that are not included in same-store sales, and a $37 million, or 3.9%, increase in same-store sales.

Seattle -- Nordstrom announced plans to open a Nordstrom Rack at Livingston Center in Livingston, N.J. The approximately 32,155-sq.-ft. store is scheduled to open in fall 2014.

The developer for the project is G&S Investors.

"We're excited about the opportunity to open our third Nordstrom Rack in New Jersey at a great location in the Livingston community," said Geevy Thomas, president of Nordstrom Rack.  

Leading global workwear brand Dickies has entered into a new licensing agreement with SG Footwear, a division of SG Companies and leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of children’s footwear in the U.S.

Products under the license will include infant, toddler, boys and girls casual footwear, including hikers, relaxed loafers and classic casuals.

Columbus, Ohio -- Strategic brand and design firm Chute Gerdeman has named Jim Crawford to the new position of VP of technology and experience design. He will be responsible for integrating next-generation technology into the shopping experiences and store designs that Chute Gerdeman creates for its clients.

New York -- Identified as a 2014 industry bellwether, this year’s New York National Conference and Deal Making is up 15% over last year, with some 7,000 people in attendance, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers.

The increase bodes well for next year, according to Michael P. Kercheval, president and CEO. When attendance is up, he said, the industry grows the following year. When it’s down, a decline has always followed.

Retailers and manufacturers targeting Gen X and Y shoppers this holiday season should introduce more transparency into their product labels and identify fair trade, conflict-free and environmentally friendly practices.

Results of a new survey by KPMG LLP reveal that nearly 70% of consumers younger than age 30 consider social issues such as sustainability, human rights and fair trade before making a purchase. This outpaces the fewer than 50% of consumers overall who feel the same way.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores named David Cheesewright, 51, as the new president and CEO of Walmart International. He succeeds Douglas McMillon, who is set to become the chain’s CEO, the retailer's top executive. Both assume their new roles on Feb. 1, 2014.