News

Cosmetic giant names its first-ever chief retail officer
L'Oreal USA appointed of Marc-Alexandre Risch to the newly created position of chief retail officer for L'Oreal USA. The appointments comes as L’Oreal’s retail banners, which include Kiehl’s, are expanding. Risch will responsible for supporting the organization with retail operations leadership and knowledge, developing back-office retail operations solutions, systems and synergies across the company, and helping to establish seamless, omnichannel consumer experiences across L'Oreal USA's brand portfolio.
Ralph Lauren poaches Coach, Amazon execs as part of turnaround
Days after announcing its “Way Forward Plan” reorganizational plan, Ralph Lauren Corp. named three new senior executives who will help oversee it.

First Look: Target’s new 'Connected Living' in-store pilot

Target Corp. is testing some of the concepts from its innovative Open House format in San Francisco in a traditional store setting. The discounter has debuted Connected Living, an in-store experience dedicated to showing customers how connected products can work together to make life easier, more convenient and more efficient. The test is taking place in Target’s Ridgedale location in Minnetonka, Minnesota.
Grocer files amendment for possible spin-off

Supervalu has moved closer to spinning off its discount grocery store division.

The supermarket operator filed Amendment No. 1 to its Form 10 Registration Statement with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the anticipated spin-off of its Save-A-Lot business into a separate, publicly traded company.
Quality Solutions changes name to QSI Facilities

Quality Solutions, Colwich, Kansas, a leading provider of facilities maintenance and constructions services, has changed its name to QSI Facilities. The company has also launched a new website and introduced a new approach for overcoming “value leakage” in outsourced facilities services.
Good news for premium malls, lifestyle centers

High-quality malls and lifestyle centers are best positioned to capitalize on the shift toward experience-based spending. That’s according to a new study by the research arm of MetLife Investment Management (MIM), which finds that millennials’ preference for acquiring experiences and memories over material goods will play a significant role in determining which retail formats will outperform in the future.
Francesca’s profits stay above expectations; will open new stores

Francesca’s Holdings Corp. saw net income decline, but still beat Wall Street predictions, in the first quarter of fiscal 2016.

The specialty apparel retailer reported net income of $7/08 million, down 2% from $7.24 million the same quarter a year earlier. Higher selling, general and administrative (S,G&A) expenses offset improvements in gross profit.
Louisiana shopping center welcomes new tenants

Stirling Properties and CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. are announcing several changes to Ambassador Town Center in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Half Shell Oyster House will occupy 5,850-sq.-ft. of restaurant space, and is the newest addition to the eatery line-up. This will mark the ninth location for the seafood restaurant, and the first in Louisiana. Half Shell Oyster House is expected to open in November 2016.

Newly leased, Just 4 Him Men’s Haircut Lounge will occupy 1,267-sq.-ft. and is expected to open in September 2016.
Target shareholders vote on directors, exec compensation

Investors in Target Corp. decided on several important issues at the retailer’s 2016 annual meeting.

Shareholders elected 14 members of the board of directors, ratified the appointment of Target’s independent registered public accounting firm, approved proposal on compensation for executives and rejected one shareholder proposal.
Architecture firm names new VP

Tracy Borchardt has been promoted from senior project manager to associate VP of architecture firm CMA.

Borchardt joined CMA in 2003 as a project coordinator. In 2006, he was promoted to senior project manager. As of June 2016, he is now the associate VP of CMA.