Corporate Governance

Chelmsford, Mass. -- Workforce management solution-provider Kronos Inc. said Tuesday that Wokingham, U.K.-based Sainsbury’s has selected the Kronos solution to control labor costs and improve workforce productivity.

The Kronos solution will manage the time and attendance and scheduling of more than 150,000 associates in more than1,000 locations across the United Kingdom.

Prior to selecting Kronos, Sainsbury’s managed time and attendance and scheduling through a blend of manual and partially automated processes.

Clearwater, Fla. -- Boat retailer MarineMax reported Tuesday that it narrowed its loss in the fiscal first quarter to $4.2 million, from $4.7 million in the year-ago period. The company’s net loss was reduced by $1.4 million related to favorable resolution with a manufacturer whose brands the company no longer carries.

Revenue dipped to $91.8 million for the quarter, from $92.2 million. Same-store sales edged up 2%.

North Plainfield, N.J. -- A survey released Monday by Levin Management Corp., which polled retailers within its 12.5 million-sq.-ft. shopping center portfolio in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York, found a general feeling of post-holiday optimism.

Oakbrook, Terrace, Ill. -- A report released Monday by Mid-America Real Estate Corp. suggested that new shopping center construction in and around Chicago could ramp up significantly after this year.

According to the 2011-12 Chicagoland Shopping Center Report, with a 13.4% decrease in new shopping center GLA in Chicagoland last year, 2011will likely mark the bottom of a four-year decline in retail center construction. After a flat 2012, shopping center development could double in 2013, according to Andy Bulson, author of the report.
 

Washington, D.C. -- CBRE announced Tuesday that Louis G. Christopher has joined the firm as vice chairman, charged with focusing on tenant representation on a local, national and global level.

Christopher was previously with Cushman & Wakefield’s, where he was chairman of the firm’s Tenant Advisory Group.

Los Angeles -- The Robin Group said Tuesday that Yoav Sarraf has been promoted to VP and director of retail brokerage services.

Sarraf joined TRG in 2008. He was previously director of acquisitions for Brighton Holdings.

Milwaukee -- NAI MLG Commercial said Tuesday that Brian J. Vanevenhoven has been named principal of the firm.

Vanevenhoven joined NAI MLG Commercial in 2000 and became a retail associate in 2001. In 2006, he was promoted to VP, and in 2007 was promoted to senior VP of the retail team. 

Pittsburgh -- American Eagle Outfitters said Tuesday that its debut store in Israel will open on Thursday at Ramat Aviv Mall, in Tel Aviv.

Ten additional locations are planned over the next month, in locations such as The Big Mall in Petach Tikva, Kiryat Ono Mall, and Mall of Haifa. The franchise stores will be operated by Fox-Wizel Ltd., a leading retailer and wholesaler in the region.

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. -- Redbox Automated Retail, a division of Coinstar, announced Tuesday it has renewed its agreement with Walmart to continue featuring Redbox kiosks at more than 3,700 Walmart locations nationwide.

The agreement extends the availability of Redbox kiosks and builds upon the companies' more than five-year relationship, said Redbox.

The first Redbox kiosks were installed in Walmart stores in 2006.
 

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot announced Tuesday the release of its 2011 Corporate Citizenship Report, highlighting its commitment to business, ethics, diversity, environmental sustainability and community.

Highlights of the report include diversity initiatives such as its Historically Underutilized Businesses catalog, which features products by businesses owned by minorities, women, the disabled and veterans; its ranking as the greenest retailer in America; and its compliance training initiatives.