Guitar Center

Guitar Center plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection by the end of the year.

The nation’s largest music instrument retailer has opened its first store outside of the continental U.S. — and its 290th location overall.

A specialty music retailer has extended its digital presence in stores.

One of the largest music stores in the United States has been given a makeover.

The number of consumers who engage retailers on social media platforms are falling. But consumers who regularly use a retailer’s social network are still the most profitable.

Two experienced retail executives have joined the management team of the parent company of such brands as Men's Wearhouse and Jos.A. Bank.   

Dalton Street Properties has acquired East Side Plaza, a Michaels-anchored center in Shreveport, Louisiana for $8.95 million. Other tenants at the 78,761-sq.-ft. center include Guitar Center, Dollar Tree and Cato.   “The East Side Plaza sale was a significant win for both parties, allowing the seller to exit a non-focal market while providing the purchaser with a high-quality asset,” said Fred Victor, VP of Transwestern, who brokered the sale on behalf of the seller, Eastside Dunhill.

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Petco has named William Engen senior VP of retail market expansion, a newly created role dedicated to optimizing the company’s investments in store growth.    Engen, who joins Petco from Wingstop Restaurants, where he served as COO, will be in charge of real estate, construction, and store design. He previously served in senior operations roles at 7-Eleven and Circuit City.  

Construction has started on the first hotel at One Daytona, the $120 million-plus project going up next to the Daytona International Speedway in Florida.   The 105-room Fairfield Inn & Suites being erected by Shaner Hotel Group is a short walk from the track. It will be joined by a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel to be called The Daytona.  

The story of Hy’s Toggery has been in the making for nearly half a century. What began in 1969 as a move by company founder Hy Wakstein to establish his own high-end menswear operation after 20-plus years in the industry would ultimately become a brand that has matured into one of the most respected independent clothiers in the southeast.