Corporate Governance

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Tuesday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates said that import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 10% in March compared with the same month last year. And, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker, year-over-year gains should continue through mid-summer.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. said Tuesday that Steve Frisby, president of its Portland division, will assume added responsibility for the company's Seattle division.

Frisby replaces Greg Sparks, who is leaving to pursue another business opportunity.

Dallas -- Zale Corp. said Tuesday that it has named Jamie Singleton as senior VP and general manager of Piercing Pagoda, effective March 27.

Singleton is charged with overall responsibility for the company’s kiosk business and will report to Theo Killion, CEO.

Singleton most recently served as senior VP business expansion at CPI Corp.

Atlanta -- Wren Solutions said Tuesday it has launched a retail audit software offering Encapsulon Assessment, as well as a new customer relationship with Big Y, a supermarket chain operating 61 stores in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Encapsulon Assessment enables loss prevention and store operations professionals to streamline and simplify the process of designing, conducting, and following up on audits.

Cincinnati -- Kroger announced Tuesday that it has named Suzanne Lindsay as its director of sustainability.

In the newly created position, Lindsay — who previously created and led sustainability initiatives at PetSmart — will lead Kroger's internal sustainability initiatives and will lead the company's sustainability leadership team.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group announced that it will acquire a 28.7% equity stake in Klépierre from BNP Paribas for approximately $2 billion.

Klépierre is a Paris-based real estate company that focuses on the ownership, management and development of shopping centers, retail properties and offices across Continental Europe. Klépierre’s portfolio includes 271 shopping centers in 13 countries, with 50% of its properties in France and Belgium, 25% in Scandinavia, and the balance in Central and Southern Europe.

Lawrenceville, Ga. -- Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group and its real estate platform The Mills announced that a newly expanded 20,000-sq.-ft. Forever 21 will open at its value retail destination Discover Mills, located in Atlanta.

The enlarged Forever 21 is slated to open summer 2012 near Entry 5 across from Nike Factory Store.

“An expanded and relocated Forever 21 enhances our value retail mix and the overall shopping experience at Discover Mills,” said Karl Woodard, general manager of Discover Mills.

Northridge, Calif. -- Chicago-based General Growth Properties announced that Brooke Whitebread has been named general manager of its Northridge Fashion Center property, located in Northridge, Calif.

Whitebread will oversee coordination and implementation of strategic advertising, public relations, budgeting, retailer relations and special events.

Whitebread comes from a GGP-owned center, Fashion Place in Salt Lake City, Utah where she developed and executed strategic marketing plans. 
 

Durham, N.C. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased restaurant space to Fuji Steakhouse at Southpoint Crossing shopping center, located in Durham, N.C.

The Japanese restaurant leased 6,400 sq. ft. and is slated to open in summer 2012.

The 103,128-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by a 59,160-sq.-ft. Kroger alongside national retailers such as McDonald’s, GNC, Ruby Tuesday and H&R Block.
 

Dallas -- SRS Real Estate Partners announced that new leadership in the Houston office has been put in place to help strengthen the firm’s presence throughout central and south Texas.

Todd Wallace and Robert O’Farrell have been named co-market leaders for the Houston office, focusing on growth via building its retail brokerage team.

Wallace and O’Farrell currently lead the Austin and newly established San Antonio offices as well. With this leadership change, Wallace and O’Farrell will be leading all the offices.