Mass Merchant

Central Ohio’s largest mall opened 10 years ago, and has continued to improve and evolve over a sometimes tumultuous decade, thanks to a hands-on management approach by its owner Glimcher Realty Trust, based in Columbus, Ohio.  Chain Store Age talked with Michael Glimcher, president and CEO of Glimcher Realty Trust, about Polaris Fashion Place and how it has stood the test of time.

In its 10-year history, how has Polaris Fashion Place changed/evolved over the decade, especially during the more recent recessionary climate?

NEW YORK — The ways in which the largest U.S. retail brands address the needs of their customers on Facebook and Twitter were unveiled last week in a white paper — Safeway and Sears topped charts; Costco, Kmart, Kroger and Walmart were found wanting, according to Conversocial, a software company that develops social media tools.

New York City -- Best Buy Co. said Monday it is buying out its joint venture partner, Carphone Warehouse Group PLC, in its fast-growing North American mobile business for $1.34 billion. As part of the reorganization of its relationship with the U.S. consumer electronics giant, Carphone Warehouse will shutter the 11 pilot big-box Best Buy stores it opened last year in the United Kingdom.

Beaverton, Ore. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said that regional vitamin and supplement retailer Super Supplements has leased 4,165-sq.-ft. of space at Walker Center, located in Beaverton, Ore.

The new store is slated to open for business in spring 2012.
 
The 89,609-sq.-ft. shopping center features national retailers such as Massage Envy, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, and Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches.
 

Target reported a 3.3% same-store sales increase for October and a similar figure could be in order for November as the company again provided guidance calling for a low-to-mid single-digit increase.

When a major mall wants to create a stir, adding a premier department store retailer such as Bloomingdale’s will usually do the trick.

In early November, Chicago-based General Growth Properties announced that it will add Bloomies as an anchor to its Glendale Galleria property, in Glendale, Calif. As well, said GGP, the center will undergo an expansive renovation, incorporating aesthetic updates to both the interior and exterior of the property.

BOULDER, Colo.— Kohl’s is the nation’s favorite fashion retail chain, according to an annual consumer survey conducted by Market Force Information, a worldwide leader in customer intelligence solutions. This is the third year in a row that Kohl’s has earned the top spot. Nordstrom ranked as consumers’ second favorite, followed by Macy’s, Dillard’s and JCPenney. Rounding out the top ten were Coldwater Creek (6), Ann Taylor Loft (7), T.J. Maxx (8), Old Navy (9) and Marshalls (10).

New York City -- A truck driver who slipped and fell on ice and grease while he was making a delivery to a Walmart store in northern Colorado can collect a nearly $10 million award after the state Supreme Court upheld a jury verdict in the case on Monday, the Associated Press reported.