Retail

Durham, N.C. -- Supermarket retailer Bashas has installed energy-efficient LED lighting from Cree in its Tempe, Ariz., location. The newly renovated store features luminaires powered by Cree TrueWhite technology, with an anticipated energy savings of 47% over the store’s previous design.
 

NEW YORK — Weight Watchers International has named Ann Hollins as the company's chief human resources officer. Hollins will report to president and CEO Jim Chambers and will serve as a member of the Weight Watchers executive committee.

Hollins replaces Meredith Shepherd, who left the company in May after 11 years.

Riverside, Calif. — University Village Shopping Center in Riverside, Calif., has inked five-year leases with three new tenants, according to NewMark Merrill Companies.

• Amazon Toner, which refills ink and toner cartridges for 30% to 50% below retail, has taken 1,355 sq. ft.
• House of Beauty has leased 1,866 sq. ft.
• UC Bakery has signed a five-year lease for 1,433 sq. ft.

University Center is a 178,020-sq.-ft. outdoor community center anchored by Regency Theatres.

New York -- Aeropostale posted a loss of $33.7 million for the fiscal second quarter that ended Aug. 3, compared to a profit of $71 million a year ago. The teen retailer issued a weak outlook, and upped the number of stores that it plans to close.

Sales decreased 6% to $454.0 million from $485.3 million a year ago. Same-store sales, including the e-commerce channel, fell 15%.

The retailer said it now plans to shut down 30 to 40 Aeropostale locations this fiscal year. Previously, it had stated its plans to close 15 to 20 stores.  

Russell Athletic brand deployed its brand ambassador and Washington wide receiver Pierre Garcon to three Washington, D.C.-area high schools. Garcon delivered Russell Athletic uniforms to the school's respective football teams.

The teams selected were from Thomas Jefferson (Alexandra, Va.), Theodore Roosevelt (Washington, D.C.) and Springbrook (Silver Spring, Md.).

New York -- Jones Lang LaSalle has opened an office in Honolulu’s retail district.

“Robust real estate fundamentals across all asset classes makes Hawaii a top locale for investors, developers and retailers,” said Kirk Horiuchi, senior VP and Hawaii retail market lead.

Hawaii’s unemployment rate has dropped to 5% and is projected to fall further by year-end and boost consumer spending and the retail economy.

The National Retail Federation definition of September 2013 shifts the month one week later in the calendar when compared to 2012. This shift introduces a significant cooler bias in the forecast. Therefore, while the nation on a year-on-year basis trends cooler, most of that will be due to a calendar shift and not a change in the weather. Conditions are expected to be similar to 2012 when the shift is removed.

Boston -- Pathlight Capital, part of Sycamore Partners, said it will serve as the administrative and co-collateral agent on a $28 million secured term loan facility to Montreal-based jewelry retailer Birks & Mayors.

The loan, which matures August 2018, amends an existing $18 million term loan; the Junior Capital Division of Wells Fargo Capital Finance will serve as the co-collateral agent on the facility.