Events

Las Vegas — The International Council of Shopping Centers has named Athleta, Smashburger, Aldi and Fossil as the 2011 Hot Retailer Award winners.

The annual awards, based on a survey of ICSC’s worldwide members, were presented Tuesday at the association’s global retail real estate convention, REConn.

Birmingham, Ala. — Books-A-Million Inc. on Tuesday reported a first-quarter loss as revenue fell 11.1% in the face of growing competition from digital books. The chain posted a first-quarter loss of $3.5 million, compared with net income of $2 million.

Quarterly revenue dropped to $104 million from $117 million, a year earlier. Same-store sales fell 13.2%.

Final attendance numbers aren’t available yet, and while RECon 2011 may not have been the really, really big show it was in 2007, the International Council of Shopping Centers’ annual Las Vegas convention was clearly a big event.

Pre-recession, the show attracted in excess of 50,000 retailers, retail service providers and shopping center executives to view the latest and greatest projects coming out of the ground. This year’s May 23 to 25 iteration didn’t pull 50k, but best guesses put attendance at over 30,000. 

Shenzhen, China — Walmart will be looking to capitalize on compelling growth prospects in China under the leadership of new senior executives following the simultaneous departure of CFO Roland Lawrence and COO Rob Cissell.

Both men left the company to pursue other development opportunities, according to Walmart, leaving leadership of Chinese business in the hands of Walmart China president and CEO Ed Chan and Wal-Mart Stores Asia president and CEO Scott Price.

Pasadena, Calif. — Disney Store plans to open its interactive concept stores in more than 40 locations in 2011 the company announced today at the Global Retail Real Estate Convention in Las Vegas.  The company said that by the end of 2011, it will have 60 new concept stores in 16 major markets in North America and eight countries.

SAN FRANCISCO — Fresh & Easy has announced the opening dates for its first two stores in San Francisco.

The retail chain said that the stores, which will open on June 22 and Aug. 24, will create more than 50 jobs. What's more, Fresh & Easy also invites area residents to nominate a local, nonprofit organization to receive a $1,000 donation for each new store opening. Based on the nominations from the neighborhood, store employees will select the winning charity.

WASHINGTON — An Associated Press/GfK poll released Friday determined that rising gas prices will cause “serious” hardship for as much as 41% of Americans.

Almost 3-in-4 adults acknowledged that $4 per gallon or more at the pump will at least cause some hardship.

OBERLIN, Ohio — Walmart and Target are the top go-to retail stores for college students, according to a new study.

Milford, Conn. -- Subway Restaurants said Friday that more than 2,000 franchisees are actively searching for locations slated for 2011 openings.

In order to reach its development goals, the chain said that a contingent of Subway representatives will be manning the brand’s booth at the International Council of Shopping Centers’ RECon convention, May 23 to 25, in Las Vegas.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Hibbett Sports Inc. reported Friday that net income for the quarter ended April 30 rose 23% to $21.3 million, compared with $17.3 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue increased 10.4% to $203.7 million, beating analysts’ projected $200.8 million in revenue. 

During the quarter, Hibbett opened eight new stores, expanded four others and closed seven underperforming stores. During the rest of the fiscal year, Hibbett said it expects to open between 50 and 55 new stores, close 10 to 15 stores and expand another 15 stores.