Sales & Marketing

NEW YORK — The Consumer Confidence Index from the Conference Board fall slightly in March to 70.2 from 71.6 in February. 

"Consumer Confidence pulled back slightly in March, after rising sharply in February,” said Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center. “The moderate decline was due solely to a less favorable short-term outlook, while consumers’ assessment of current conditions, on the other hand, continued to improve.”

Phoenix -- Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group said Wednesday that its Premium Outlets division has launched construction of Phoenix Premium Outlets, an upscale outlet shopping center serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale areas.

Phoenix Premium Outlets will be located in Chandler, Ariz. Phase I of the project will be comprised of 360,000 sq. ft. housing approximately 90 outlet stores featuring high-quality designer and name brands. A spring 2013 opening is planned.

Louis Vuitton Island Maison, part of the Marina Bay Sands resort complex in Singapore, represents the ultimate in luxury retail destinations. The striking crystal and glass structure, which sits directly on the water, was awarded top honors in the Association for Retail Environments’ (A.R.E.) design competition. It features the entire the complete Louis Vuitton offering, from its men's and women's collections to jewelry and accessories. It also houses a bookstore with a curated selection of books on travel, design, art and culture.

Westchester, Ill. -- Charles Sparks + Co. announced the debut of its design for the new Neiman Marcus store in Walnut Creek, Calif. The 85,000-sq.-ft., three-level location represents a fresh new vision of modern luxury in a smaller format store for the luxury department store retailer.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens’ fiscal second-quarter earnings fell 7.7% due in part to its decision to leave the Express Scripts pharmacy network. But its performance still topped analyst expectations. A mild flu and cough/cold season also cut into its performance.

The chain said its net income dropped to $683 million in the three months ended Feb. 29, 2012, compared with $739 million a year ago. Revenue rose 0.8% to $18.65 billion, from $18.5 billion a year earlier. Same-store prescriptions filled fell 4.9%. Revenue from the front-end was up 2.1%.

North Plainfield, N.J. -- Levin Management announced that it has named Joe Lowry as director of acquisitions and business development for the company.

The 25-year commercial real estate industry veteran joined Levin in 2009 as director of acquisitions. His added responsibilities reflect the firm’s ongoing focus on adding new clients from among institutions, fund managers and private owners it does not already serve.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — On the eve of a potential Federal Trade Commission approval of the Express Scripts/Medco merger, Walgreens' underlying fundamentals still are strong, Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson told analysts Tuesday morning. It's that underlying strength that has helped Walgreens in the wake of its exit from the Express Scripts pharmacy benefit network, a factor that impacted Walgreens' net earnings by 7 cents per diluted share for its second quarter ended Feb. 29. Net earnings for the second quarter were $683 million, a 7.7% decrease.

Honolulu -- Columbus, Ohio-based Glimcher Realty Trust announced plans to acquire 80% indirect ownership interest in Pearlridge Center, located in Honolulu, for about $290 million from partner Blackstone Real Estate Partners.

“With sales of nearly $500 per square foot and a dynamic growth profile, this strategic investment is consistent with our goal of enhancing the quality of our real estate portfolio,” said Michael Glimcher, chairman and CEO, Glimcher.