News

Department stores and shopping centers malls are gaining market share for the first time in three decades, according to consultants Customer Growth Partners, and this month most will report their best annual earnings in years -- if not ever.

“Department stores from Macy’s to Nordstrom, and mall operators from Macerich to Simon, have used the recession not just to cut costs, but to reinvent themselves,” said Craig Johnson, president, Customer Growth Partners, a consulting and research firm serving retail and other consumer industries.

New York City -- Borders Group may file for bankruptcy reorganization as early as Monday or Tuesday after failing to persuade publishers and others to go along with a plan to refinance the struggling chain's debt, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The retailer plans to initially close about 200 of its 674 stores, the report said, which cited unnamed sources.

WAYNE, N.J. -- Toys“R”Us has announced the launch of the first-ever collection of wood vehicles, track and playsets based on the popular Disney-Pixar movie, Cars, availableexclusively at Toys“R”Us stores around the world and online at Toysrus.com. The collection was created and designed by Toys“R”Us in collaboration with Disney Consumer Products.

By Katherine Oberle and Monica Sloboda, [email protected], [email protected]

On November 18, 2010, the U.S. Green Building Council announced the long-awaited launch of its newest green building rating system, LEED for Retail. There are two distinct certification tracks available, LEED for Retail: New Construction and LEED for Retail: Commercial Interiors. 

SMYRNA, Ga. — Tri-Land Properties has broken ground for the redevelopment of The Crossings at Four Corners here in Smyrna, Ga. The 8-acre site will be home to Kroger’s largest supermarket in the Atlanta area: a 96,000-sq.-ft. grocer replete with fuel station, a wine shop and drive-through pharmacy.

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- The Children's Place Retail Stores announced that Susan Riley, EVP finance and administration, is leaving the company. The company said it will eliminate the position of EVP finance and administration and has begun a search for a CFO.

John Taylor, VP finance, will assume the position of interim principal financial dfficer and Bernard McCracken, VP controller, will assume the position of interim principal accounting officer.

New York City -- One-third (29% ) of consumers across eight major economies have been victims of credit-card fraud in the past five years, according to the 2010 Global Card Fraud Survey by ACI Worldwide, an international provider of payment systems.

SALISBURY, N.C. — The Food Lion Family and Bloom has recognized Scott Brinson as the recipient of the 2010 store manager excellence award. Brinson, who is the store manager of Food Lion in Jacksonville, N.C., was selected from a group of seven other market/banner winners.

The store manager excellence awards are a key part of Food Lion Family's and Bloom's efforts to acknowledge the leadership role store managers play. Food Lion Family president Cathy Green Burns presented Brinson with the award earlier this week during the company's Leadership Summit.