Data & Analytics

By Margaret Kuchler, [email protected]

Parker, Colo. -- Westwood Financial Corp. said it has acquired the Stroh Ranch Retail Center, a 6,336-sq.-ft. property in Parker, Colo., outside Denver. Westwood Financial bought the distressed asset in a short sale and said it is currently eyeing similar opportunities in this sector.

The two-unit, 1999-built Stroh Ranch Retail Center currently counts Pizza Hut as its only tenant after Blockbuster vacated last year, leaving it 21% leased.
 

McLean, Va. -- The Rappaport Cos. announced it has named Charlotte B. Strain as senior VP asset management. Strain will work directly with current clients and third-party accounts and oversee property management, asset management and lease administration functions. She will be responsible for a portfolio of 9 million sq. ft. of retail space and some 1,500 leases.

Strain was previously with Jones Lang LaSalle and AvalonBay Communities.

Washington, D.C. -- A Friday report by Bloomberg said that the U.S. economy grew at a 1.9% pace in the first quarter, edging estimates of a 1.8% growth pace but marking the start of what policymakers project is a temporary slowdown in growth.

The revised rise in gross domestic product matches the median forecast of economists surveyed by Bloomberg News and follows a 3.1% gain in the prior quarter, according to Friday’s Commerce Department figures.

Indianapolis -- Finish Line reported Thursday that earnings for the quarter ended May 28 rose 20% to $16.4 million, compared with $13.6 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue, despite a 6% rise to $299 million, missed Wall Street expectations of $301.4 million.

Same-store sales increased 6.1% for the quarter.

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Chico's has named Pamela Knous EVP, CFO and chief accounting officer. Knous assumes the principal finance, accounting, investor relations, and strategic planning responsibilities currently under the direction of Kent Kleeberger, who was appointed to the position of EVP, COO in March. Knous is expected to join the company on June 23 and will report directly to Chico's president and CEO, David Dyer.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Sales may have been flat overall, but a closer look revealed there was a lot to be positive about in Rite Aid’s fiscal first quarter 2012 earnings, as the company managed significant expense improvement and stronger same-store sales growth. Bottom line: Rite Aid narrowed its losses considerably, and that ain’t all expense control.

UNION, N.J. — Bed Bath & Beyond dominates the home and housewares retail space by consistently reporting strong revenue and earnings growth, and this quarter was no exception.

The company reported net earnings of 72 cents per diluted share ($180.6 million) in the fiscal first quarter ended May 28, an increase of approximately 38% versus net earnings of 52 cents per diluted share ($137.6 million) in the same quarter a year ago.

Nashville, Tenn. -- Genesco announced Thursday that it has acquired Schuh Group, a specialty retailer of casual and athletic footwear based in the United Kingdom.

The purchase price was $159 million.

Headquartered in Scotland, Schuh operates 59 stores in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, 16 concessions in Republic apparel stores and one of the U.K.'s largest online shoe websites. 

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples has revealed plans to shrink its overall store footprint and grow its break rooms as a means to lower costs and increase sales productivity.

In a presentation to analysts at a Jefferies & Co. conference in New York City on Wednesday, Staples U.S. president Demos Pareros said new stores will be about 15,500 sq. ft. to 16,000 sq. ft., down from the current prototype of 18,000 sq. ft. and the 2000 prototype of 24,000 sq. ft.