Corporate Governance

New York -- The growing appeal of smaller format stores and the increasing number of international moves by emerging market retailers are two of the key trends revealed in the Accenture Globalization Index, Quarter One 2013.

Armonk, N.Y. -- Retailers and CPG companies with leading stock prices are more likely than their lagging competitors to use Big Data analytics to understand and adjust to customer needs. According to a study of 325 senior retail merchandising executives conducted by IBM Center for Applied Insights in conjunction with Planet Retail, 65% of leading retail merchandisers feel Big Data analytics is critical to their business compared to just 38% of other retail companies.

National Retail Federation SVP for government relations David French spoke to Fox News' Stuart Varney about D.C.’s decision to pass a living wage bill requiring non-union, big box retailers to pay their employees $12.60 per hour. As a result of the bill's passing, Walmart has scrapped plans to open three stores in the District. While defenders of the bill point out that the living wage is a fair one given cost of living and the still challeneging economic climate, Varney says the District, via its council members, is turning down 2,000 jobs and French agrees.

MARYSVILLE, Ohio — The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company has named Ivan Smith as EVP, general counsel and corporate secretary. The 10-year veteran of the company replaces former EVP Vincent Brockman, who resigned to "pursue other interests."

"Ivan possesses tremendous legal knowledge and experience and has been a strong leader throughout his career," said Jim Hagedorn, chairman and CEO. "His sound judgment and business acumen will serve ScottsMiracle-Gro well in the years to come."

New York -- A Thursday report by Reuters said that RadioShack is considering bringing in a financial advisor to guide the struggling chain toward managing its looming debts and spiraling sales.

According to the report, which cited unidentified sources, RadioShack will hear pitches from financial advisers in the coming weeks, looking for the right fit to deal with $216.4 million in convertible notes coming due August 1, as well as falling sales capped off by a 7.6% drop in the first quarter of 2013.

Virginia Beach, Va. -- Destination Maternity Corp. has leased 5,033 sq. ft. for a new flagship store in The Town Center of Virginia Beach, according to Divaris Real Estate.

Motherhood Maternity will close all of its locations in Southside Hampton Roads and move into the new Destination Maternity in September. The new store will carry all of the retailers concepts including Motherhood Maternity and A Pea in the Pod.

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. -- Mid-America Real Estate Corp.’s investment sales group has brokered the sale of the 301,045-sq.-ft. Mount Prospect Plaza in Mount Prospect, Ill., a northwestern suburb of Chicago.

Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust purchased the property for $36.1 million from a pension fund advised by JP Morgan Asset Management Inc.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Stein Mart reported total sales for the five-week period ended July 6, of $109 million, an increase of 2.6% from $106.3 for the prior-year period. Comparable store sales increased 6.5%.