White House Black Market (WHBM)

Merrimack, N.H. -- Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group said Thursday that it has opened Merrimack Premium Outlets, an upscale outlet shopping center serving the Greater Boston and Nashua markets.

DALLAS — Three weeks after being named the first civilian director/CEO in the nearly 117-year history of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, Tom Shull officially took the reins today of the $10-billion military retailer. Shull replaced the Exchange’s last uniformed Commander, Brig. Gen. Fran Hendricks.

Fort Meyers, Fla. -- Chico's FAS Inc. said Wednesday that its fiscal first-quarter net income rose a better-than-expected 17% to 53.6 million in the three months through April 28, compared with $45.9 million a year ago. The chain also bumped up its revenue outlook for the year.

Revenue rose 21% to $650.8 million, beating expectations, from $537.2 million a year ago. The company September acquisition of women's clothing chain Boston Proper added $33.7 million in sales during the quarter.

Corpus Christi, Texas -- Trademark Property Group announced that its La Palmera property in Corpus Christi, Texas, has five new stores planning to open by late spring.

Construction is underway on White House | Black Market (3,453 sq. ft.), Soma Intimates (2,313 sq. ft); Bebe (4,885 sq. ft.); Traffic Shoes (1,105 sq. ft.); and Papaya (6,350 sq. ft.).

The Children’s Place has opened a 3,467-sq.-ft new location by Champs, and construction is underway on a Payless ShoeSource location (3,360 sq. ft.), adjacent to the new Papaya.

Boston-based The Wilder Cos. has taken on a new leasing and management assignment – the open-air specialty shopping center The Shops at Valley Square, in Warrington, Pa.

Located in Bucks County, Pa., just north of Philadelphia, The Shops at Valley Square is part of a 140-acre mixed-use development that includes office, retail and residential.

Fredericksburg, Va. -- Youngstown, Ohio-based Cafaro Co. announced that White House | Black Market will open a new store at its The Village at Towne Centre property near Fredericksburg, Va.

The 4,000+-sq.-ft. store is slated to open spring 2012 across from Coldwater Creek.

Kansas City, Kan. – OTB Destination announced that the area’s first White House | Black Market Outlet boutique will open at Legends Outlets Kansas City in May 2012.

The women’s retailer will offer a collection designed specifically for the outlet boutique, while offering a select assortment of product from their full-price boutiques as well. The White House Black Market Outlet boutique will occupy an overall square footage of 2,955 next to Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation expressed its support for President Obama's proposal for business tax reform, and pledged to work with the White House and Congress to win passage of legislation that would significantly lower rates in order to help retailers and other businesses create jobs.