Distribution

Woodland Hills, Calif. -- GA Keen Realty Advisors, a division of Great American Group, has been retained to assist in the marketing and disposition of 70 leased properties across 21 states operated by Metropark, which filed for bankruptcy earlier this month. Metropark’s retail properties, which range in size from 2,000 sq. ft. to 3,500 sq. ft., are concentrated in the West (California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and Texas) and in the East (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Florida).

LONDON — Wal-Mart Stores' Asda division Asda confirmed that it was exploring opportunities to franchise its George at Asda range in markets overseas.

The company expects to announce its first overseas franchising partner in the next few months with the intention of establishing a small number of pilot stores in the Middle East in the first half of 2012.

George currently accounts for around half of Asda’s general merchandise sales and is already a growing global brand through Walmart stores in seven countries worldwide, the company reported.

Los Angeles -- SPL Realty Partners announced that it has secured a retail space for footwear retailer Aerosoles in Citadel Outlets in Los Angeles.

The 2,059-sq.-ft. store is scheduled to open on May 19 in the new third phase of Citadel Outlets, the only outlet center in Los Angeles County. The space boasts almost 50 ft. of frontage and sits adjacent to Under Armour, across from adidas and converse and steps from a large parking field.

Bryn Mawr, Pa. -- WP Realty and Angelo, Gordon & Co. announced the acquisition of the Shaw’s portfolio, consisting of seven Shaw’s-anchored shopping centers and one free-standing Hannaford Bros. located throughout Massachusetts, Maine and Rhode Island.

The portfolio totals 659,143 sq. ft, is 97% leased and contains a mix of national, regional and local tenants. Shaw’s occupies 419,098 sq. ft. across the portfolio, Hannaford Bros. occupies 45,882 sq. ft., Staples 23,942 sq. ft., among others.
 

New York City -- Smith’s Food & Drug Stores, a division of Kroger Co., has been recognized by the Utah Association of Energy Users as a leader in conservation and energy-use efficiency, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.

The chain, which received the “Outstanding Leadership in Energy Efficiency and Conservation” award on Wednesday at the 26th Annual Western States Energy Conference in Salt Lake City, was recognized for retrofitting its 132 stores in seven states with more efficient energy systems.

Walmart acquired a minority interest in Chinese e-commerce company Yihaodian, the company announced Friday morning. Yihaodian was launched in July 2008 and currently offers 75,000 products and next-day delivery on essential items from an existing logistics network in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s reported that its first quarter diluted earnings per share increased 14% to 73 cents, in line with Citi and Stifel analysts expectations and with the company's updated guidance that EPS would be toward the high-end of 68 cents to 73 cents (provided on May 5). Net income for the quarter was $211 million, compared with $199 million (64 cents per diluted share) a year ago. Net sales were $4.2 billion, an increase of 3.1% for the quarter. Comparable-store sales for the quarter increased 1.3%.

Organic growth initiatives come out on top (46%) when it comes to how to increase market share, followed by a mix of organic growth and M&A (22%) and primarily M&A (22%), according to a survey of 152 senior financial executives of global retail companies by KPMG International.