Mass Merchant

Washington, D.C. -- The International Council of Shopping Centers announced Tuesday the launch of a new website devoted to sales tax fairness and how the current sales tax system is unable to support the 21st Century retail marketplace.

The site, 21stcenturyretail.org, will be continuously updated to provide the public, stakeholders, the media and lawmakers with information on the online sales tax loophole and resources to help level the playing field for all retailers, according to ICSC.

Oakbrook, Terrace, Ill. -- A report released Monday by Mid-America Real Estate Corp. suggested that new shopping center construction in and around Chicago could ramp up significantly after this year.

According to the 2011-12 Chicagoland Shopping Center Report, with a 13.4% decrease in new shopping center GLA in Chicagoland last year, 2011will likely mark the bottom of a four-year decline in retail center construction. After a flat 2012, shopping center development could double in 2013, according to Andy Bulson, author of the report.
 

Paris -- Carrefour, the second largest retailer in the world after Wal-Mart Stores, has selected French retailing veteran Georges Plassat, 62, as its next CEO and chairman.

Bowie, Md. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space to three new tenants at Bowie Plaza, located in Bowie, Md.

Opening its fifth gym in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore market, Fitness 4 Less is relocating to 21,750 sq. ft. in Bowie Plaza. Peeper’s Family Eye Care leased 2,400 sq. ft. of retail space, and Dunkin’ Donuts, offering a drive-thru option, leased 1,600 sq. ft. of space.

All three businesses are slated to open in spring 2012.

The appointment of 16-year Target veteran John Mulligan as the company’s new CFO makes a lot of sense as Target will benefit from continuity of leadership in its finance department.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Town Center at Boca Raton, in Boca Raton, Fla., will celebrate the expansion and relocation of Forever 21 to its soon-to-be-completed Cafes at Boca. The 19,000-sq.-ft. upgraded store will offer upgrades and added offerings.

“With the relocation of our store at Town Center at Boca Raton, we are able to accommodate more brands and new concepts,” said Larry Meyer, Forever 21 executive VP.

Minneapolis -- Target on Monday announced it will seek independent pharmacists to own and operate the pharmacies in its stores in Canada. The chain said it will utilize a pharmacy franchise model for its stores north of the border, the first of which will open in March/April 2013. The strategy is different than in the United States, where Target operates its own in-store pharmacies.

New York City -- In a break with longstanding company tradition, Walmart is moving its greeters from its lobbies into the stores near the cash registers, Bloomberg reported.

In their new location, the greeters will be able to direct shoppers to products they are looking for, and also to shorter checkout lines, the report said.