PetSmart LLC

PHOENIX — PetSmart shareholders should be pretty pleased with their investment now that the company's board of directors has raised the quarterly dividend. The board has approved an 18% increase to PetSmart's quarterly dividend, from 14 cents to 16.5 cents per share beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2012.

By Rick Parker, [email protected]

“Is there a better job out there?”

This is a question that hourly employees within retail industry are asking themselves more frequently, often leading them to say “I quit,” to their current employer.

Consider trends from the government’s latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover survey (JOLTs):

PHOENIX — Earnings shot up 39% to 85 cents per share to 61 cents per share at PetSmart during the first quarter as the company continues to dominate the pet retail space. Net income totaled $95 million in the first quarter of 2012, compared with $71 million in the first quarter of 2011.

Philadelphia -- Management consulting firm Hay Group reported Tuesday that employee turnover levels in the retail industry are on the rise.

According to a new survey from Hay Group, an improving job market and solid first quarter sales are impacting turnover. Retailers report a median turnover rate of 67% for part-time store workers, a 33% increase over 2011. One in five retailers report that they have experienced more turnover in the first part of 2012.

Easton, Pa. -- Purchase, N.Y.-based National Realty & Development has announced the opening of Panera Bread at Northampton Crossings, located in Easton, Pa. Panera occupies a 3,860-sq.-ft. drive-thru space.

PetSmart will open at the center in late spring, with a 12,500-sq.-ft. store. The two new stores join anchor tenants Walmart Supercenter, Kohl’s, Sam’s Club and Regal Cinemas.

Other recent transactions at the center include Staples and Shoe Show lease renewals.
 

While there still is not enough new shopping center construction to warrant a “Fastest-Growing Developers” ranking system — as Chain Store Age provided for 20 consecutive years, from 1989 to 2008 — progress continues to be made.

Dallas -- The Retail Connection and North American Development Group announced the purchase of Towne Centre Plaza, a 94,109-sq.-ft. property located across from Town East Mall in Mesquite, Texas. 

The shopping center was built in 2002 on 8.8 acres and features Bed Bath & Beyond and Best Buy as tenants. The Retail Connection is currently in negotiations for the 23,000-sq.-ft. vacancy in the center with a national tenant, which, when leased will bring the center back to 100% occupancy.

New York -- The Kroger Co. appointed Suzanne Lindsay as its first director of sustainability. Prior to Kroger, Lindsay led sustainability initiatives at PetSmart.

“We have made substantial progress in sustainability in the past five years through energy savings, waste reduction, transportation efficiency and by reducing the use of plastic bags,” said Lynn Marmer, group VP, corporate affairs at Kroger. “Suzanne will help us accelerate our progress and identify new opportunities to improve our environmental stewardship.”