Corporate Governance

The recent updates to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design were detailed at the SPECS session, “The ADA: 20 Years +1.” The session, part of the Tenant Improvement Construction/Remodeling workshop track, also gave a brief overview of the law and its enforcement.

According to the speaker, more than 200 private ADA lawsuits are filed in U.S. Federal Courts across the United States each month. The suits are filed mainly by disability organizations, disability rights advocates and law firms.

Building collaborative relationships between design visionaries and construction teams was the fundamental theme underscoring the tips for success shared in the SPECS Planning & Design workshop session “Going from Prototype to Reality, Without Losing the Sizzle.”

Keeping a store open during a remodel versus closing it until the work is completed was the theme of the SPECS session, “Open Store Remodels: Best Practices for Maintaining the Customer Experience and the Focus on Sales.” The session was part of the Ground-Up Construction and Remodeling workshop track.

Although the speakers had experience with both methodologies, they focused more on ways to keep the store open during the process.

Recovery is a relative term when applied to retail real estate. It’s taken a couple of years of determined optimism, but most in the industry have now reconciled themselves to the realities of the new world order. A world where capital is cautiously invested and most retailers, even those that are opening new stores, have flattened growth rates. Gone are the days of expansive, unrestrained development — replaced instead by measured, deliberate decisions and a renewed focus on redevelopment, relocation and re-evaluation of portfolios.

To be truly fashion-forward, a closet must be refreshed periodically. This is equally true for premiere, class “A” regional malls that pride themselves on offering the hottest apparel and most fashionable retail the industry has to offer. If wardrobe success depends on what’s hanging in your closet, shopping centers hang their success on merchandising savvy and tenant mix.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — DreamWorks has become the latest studio to offer its titles through Walmart's in-store, disc-to-digital service powered by Vudu. At more than 3,500 Walmart stores, customers can convert such DVD and Blu-ray titles as Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon into digital copies that can be accessed from any web-enabled device.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The Walmart board of directors is poised for an infusion of fresh, and young, talent when shareholders vote to approve a slate of directors that includes Google’s VP of local and maps.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Walgreens and Car Charging Group on Monday announced the expansion of EV charging services to 13 Walgreens locations in Orlando, Fla., and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla.

"Walgreens dedication to the EV movement is unmatched by any other major retailer," Car Charging Group CEO Michael Farkas said. "Walgreens commitment to providing EV charging services to its customers nationwide is a testament to its support of environmental sustainability and of electric vehicle use."

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Significant waste reduction and greater use of renewable energy are detailed in Walmart’s just-released fifth annual Global Responsibility Report (GRR). Entitled “Beyond 50 Years: Building a Sustainable Future,” the report highlights the chain’s global top 10 list of achievements to reduce its impact on the environment, improve efficiency in its supply chain and stores, and address social issues.

DALLAS — Neiman Marcus has named Michael Kingston SVP, CIO of The Neiman Marcus Group. He succeeds Phillip Maxwell, who earlier this month announced his retirement.

Kingston joins The Neiman Marcus Group from Ann Inc., parent company of Ann Taylor, where he was the EVP enterprise transformation and technology. Prior to Ann Inc., Kingston was VP applications at Coach Inc. and international director information services at LVMH.