News

HEIGHTENED SECURITY
Preparedness is key for mall owners, retailers
“Just wanting to make sure, No. 1, it is a safe environment; and No. 2, everyone knows it is a safe environment.”
That was the comment Mark Peterson made to a local news station in Rockford, Ill., regarding his top priorities after undergoing what could easily qualify as every mall manager’s biggest nightmare.
Tile Shop enters new market
The Tile Shop is expanding, in new markets and existing ones. The specialty retailer opened its first location in Washington, D.C., a 10,400-sq.-ft. store in the historic neighborhood of Tenleytown. The Tile Shop also opened its twelfth location in the Chicago metro area, in Schererville, Indiana.

Holiday spending surpasses expectations

Initial reports about holiday spending bode well for retailers. Consumers spent 16% more on holiday purchases this year than in 2015, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers Post-Holiday Shopping Survey.
Amazon kicks up private-label food offering

Making an even bigger push into private-label foods, Amazon launched a new line of natural snacks. Already a player in non-food private label categories, including household goods and other items under the Amazon Basics and Amazon Elements brands, Amazon’s newest line, Wickedly Prime, is making a push into grocery — specifically among “foodies.” The line currently features popcorn, blue corn and sweet potato tortilla chips, and soft shell almonds.
New Orleans Saints champion, partner, to expand Dunkin’ Donuts in Louisiana

A new partnership plans to open dozens of Dunkin’ Donuts locations in Louisiana. The company announced that New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees, in partnership with existing franchisee Vik Patel, has signed an agreement to develop up to 69 new Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Monroe and Alexandria, Louisiana over the coming years. Brees is a New Orleans Saints Super Bowl champion and MVP and former New York Giants offensive lineman.
Walgreens in pilot of vision care center

Walgreens Boots Alliance is piloting a retail vision care center within the Walgreens flagship in the Wrigley Building in Chicago, the company recently revealed, taking what has been a successful page out of its U.K.-based Boots Pharmacy division and applying that strategy to the U.S. market.
Concerns raised over Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops deal

Federal regulators have raised questions over Bass Pro Shops' $4.5 billion deal to acquire Cabela's Inc. In a regulatory filing Friday, Cabela's said the Federal Trade Commission had requested additional information from both Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops, according to Foxnews.com.
Sign Up for Disruption: Winning in the Subscription Economy

Just a few years ago, consumers typically associated subscription services with utilities and print media. Yet the rapid rise of digital technologies has led to an explosion in the number of services available, which cater to almost every aspect of consumers’ lives – from Spotify and Netflix to Birchbox and Blue Apron.
Office Depot sells European business

Office Depot Inc. continues to streamline its operations. The office supply giant announced it has completed the sale of its European business to The Aurelius Group. The purchase price was not disclosed. The transaction is part of the company's recently announced international divestiture strategy to focus on opportunities in its North American business.
Iconix Brand unloads Sharper Image

Iconix Brand Group has sold the rights to the Sharper Image brand and related intellectual property assets to the company that recently bought FAO Schwarz from Toys “R” Us. Iconix sold Sharper Image to ThreeSixty Group, which manufactures and distributes toys and other consumer products to stores nationwide, for $100 million in cash. ThreeSixty is also Sharper Image’s largest licensee.