News

Washington, D.C.-area mall to get mixed-use makeover
Forest City Realty Trust has announced the completion of an agreement with Arlington County, Virginia, to transform Ballston Common Mall in a mixed-use project to be renamed Ballston Quarter. The public-private partnership will open up the existing enclosed mall, create a public plaza in the space, and add a 406-residence residential tower adjacent to the retail center. The plan also calls for infrastructure improvements including a renovated pedestrian bridge and new landscaping
Walmart ups the e-commerce ante
Walmart’s next e-commerce power-play is reportedly in the works. In its latest move to compete against its online nemesis amazon.com, Walmart is reportedly ready to invest up to $1 billion in Flipkart, according to an article in Quartz.

Cartier, Hermes to open at Stanford Shopping Center

Simon Properties has announced the impending arrivals of Cartier and Hermes at its Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, California. This marks Hermes’ first new U.S. store in five years, according to Simon. The 6,000-sq.-ft. Hermes shop, which will reside near Neiman Marcus in the center of the newly updated center, is scheduled to open in late 2017 or early 2018. Its focus will be on men's, women's, home, and equestrian collections.
Aldi’s green DC translates into ‘gold’

Aldi’s sustainability efforts are gaining recognition. The grocer’s sustainable distribution center and regional headquarters in Moreno Valley, Calif., have earned LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Working alongside Graycor Construction Company, Aldi improved the design and materials used in the development of both buildings.
NRF Study: Facebook leads digital marketing spend

Interactive media continues to shake up retailers’ digital marketing strategies.
Forever Flawless opens flagship at World Trade Center

Forever Flawless, a global skin care company that puts diamond dust in its creams, has opened a flagship store at Westfield World Trade Center in New York. The company, which claims to bring celebrity skin care methods to consumers, sells Black Diamond Age Defying Series, Pink Diamond Collagen treatments, and 24 Karat Gold therapy. Forever Flawless fields stores in Hong Kong, London, Madrid, Miami, London, and Syndey, among other locales.
New top dog at Petco

Petco is losing its longtime chairman and CEO. Jim Myers, a 26-year company veteran and CEO since 2004, is retiring. Petco pesident and chief merchant Brad Weston, who joined the company in 2011, will succeed Myers as CEO, effective February 1, 2017. Prior to joining Petco, Weston held senior leadership roles at Dick's Sporting Goods, May Merchandising Company and Robinsons-May.
Study: Site experience makes Amazon first with consumers in product search

A high-quality site experience makes Amazon the place where more than half (55%) of consumers go to first for products online. That’s according to the second annual “State of Amazon” study from personalization platform company BloomReach, which found that search engines and retailers lost almost equal ground with consumers, 28% and 16% respectively, while Amazon increased its share by 11% over last year. Fifty-three percent felt Amazon had the best site experience overall.
Apparel retailer searching for a new CEO

As it turns out, high-fashion and Lands’ End weren’t perfect together. Less than two years after she took the reins of Lands’ End, Federica Marchionni has stepped down as CEO. Two current Lands’ End executives—James Gooch, executive VP, COO and CFO, and Joseph Boitano, executive VP and chief merchandising and design officer—were named as interim co-CEOs, effective September 26, while the company searches for a permanent replacement.
Canadian apparel retailer looks to expand with IPO

Aritzia Inc. is expected to raise C$400 million ($302 million) in its initial public offering. The company, based in Vancouver, sells fashion-forward clothes and accessories for young women. It has 75 stores in North America, including locations in New York, New Jersey, Toronto, Montreal, Boston, and Chicago, along with an online business.