Corporate Governance

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Despite a dip in comparable store sales for the first quarter ended May 4, Fred’s topped the high end of its earnings guidance for the period.

New York -- MPI has reported a significant increase in leasing volume within its core retail portfolio during the first four months of 2013 vs. the same period last year.

As of May 1, MPI has executed 23 new lease deals, many with new to the market tenants, representing a total of 113,900 sq. ft. throughout its national retail portfolio.  

On a year-over-year basis, the company has seen the number of new leases grow by 28%.
 

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Express overcame the spring chill and a difficult retail environment, reporting net sales of $508 million for the first quarter ended May 4, a 3% increase from $496 million in the first quarter of 2012.

Comparable sales were flat following a 4% comparable sales increase in last year's first quarter. This includes e-commerce sales, which increased 48% to $71 million. In last year's first quarter, e-commerce sales grew 28% to $48 million.

New York -- The International Council of Shopping Centers announced that David J. LaRue, president and CEO of Forest City Enterprises, has been elected by ICSC’s Board of Trustees to serve as the association’s chairman for the 2013–2014 term.  

LaRue assumed his role as chairman on May 20 during RECon, ICSC’s annual meeting in Las Vegas.  He succeeds Brad Hutensky, president and principal of Hutensky Capital Partners.

PETALUMA, Calif. — Sport Chalet, a full-service specialty sporting goods retailer, will join MarketLive, a provider of e-commerce technology for high-growth merchants, to present a joint case study at the Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition.

The case study will highlight how Sport Chalet has achieved strong online sales growth by leveraging MarketLive's content management features to create a unique and compelling brand experience for its customers.

Queens, N.Y. -- South Korean skin care brand Amore has opened a 1,600-sq.-ft. store at The Shops at SkyView Center. The new store, which grand-opened on May 24, is located on Level B and joins Restoration Hardware Outlet, Target, Carter’s, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Marshall’s, Old Navy, Bed Bath & Beyond and Best Buy, among others.

By Crosby Renwick, [email protected]

The pundits say retail, as we’ve known it since the ancient Egyptians, is coming to an end. Ouch. That’s big. You have to admit the logic is not bad: When retail is literally everywhere, when we can buy virtually anything off our phones and have it delivered, why go to a store?

NEW YORK — Nickelodeon has launched a store within a store in Toys"R"Us Times Square. The Nick Shop is 1,000 sq. ft. and offers exclusive New York-branded products, such as kids and adult apparel, accessories, plush toys and home goods featuring Nickelodeon characters.

Merchandise showcasing Dora the Explorer, Bubble Guppies, Team Umizoomi, Winx Club, SpongeBob SquarePants and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is priced from $5.99 to $49.99. The shop also has an assortment of Nickelodeon-branded toys, books and DVDs.