White House Black Market (WHBM)

Charleston, W.Va. -- Cleveland-based Forest City Enterprises announced that found new upscale women’s retailers have joined the company’s Charleston Town Center property, located in Charleston, W.Va.

White House | Black Market, Coach, Sephora and Francesca’s Collections will open spring 2012. The center will undergo an expansive renovation, incorporating aesthetic updates to both the interior and exterior of the property.

A lineup of five new retailers will be opening at Westchester’s Ridge Hill in early spring, according to the New York City-area project’s developer Forest City Ratner Cos.

Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, White House | Black Market, The Limited and Vera Bradley will open around the same time as Lord & Taylor, slated to debut in mid-April.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation announced that it has issued an open letter to President Obama urging him to call for action on initiatives that support a strong retail sector when he delivers his State of the Union address later this month. The letter was signed by Macy’s chairman, president and CEO Terry Lundgren, who chairs the NRF doard of directors, and NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — The National Committee for Quality Assurance on Monday named Jeffrey Kang, Walgreens SVP pharmacy, health and wellness services and solutions, to its board.

NCQA is a private nonprofit organization that accredits and certifies a wide range of healthcare organizations. The group also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA's Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care, the committee stated.

Woodbridge, N.J. -- Fameco Real Estate announced that Platypus Custom Home Furnishings has signed a 5,005-sq.-ft. lease at the Streets of Chester, in Chester, N.J. 

The Streets of Chester is a 104,682-sq.-ft. lifestyle center tenanted by Chico’s, White House Black Market, Coldwater Creek and the Gap.

This newest location is Platypus’s fifth.
 

Fort Myers, Fla. -- Chico's FAS reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended Oct. 29 fell to $26.5 million, compared with $28.8 million a year earlier. Results include costs associated with the company’s acquisition of Boston Proper.

Net sales for the quarter increased 11.5% to $538.5 million, from $483 million. Same-store sales increased 3.7%. By brand, Chico's/Soma Intimates same-store sales increased 0.6

Economists may be feeling good after a government report that showed third-quarter GDP grew at 2.5%, but try telling millions of Americans who shop at Walmart stores at 12:01 a.m. on the first of the month that the nation is no longer in a recession.

In its seventh year, the annual Top Redevelopers survey took a little turn. Chain Store Age’s coverage of the prior year’s redevelopment highlights has been expanded to include an additional six-month period in order to make the results as current as possible. So, instead of covering redevelopment projects that occurred during calendar year 2010, this year’s results include the first six months of 2011, as well.