Content about Birmingham

May 7, 2013

Jim von Maur

President, Von Maur

HEADQUARTERS Davenport, Iowa

TYPE OF BUSINESS Department store retailer

NUMBER OF STORES 35 in 11 states (27 Von Maur stores, eight Dry Goods stores)

Seventeen years ago, in the January 1996 issue of Chain Store Age, Jack Arth, who at the time was president of Von Maur, explained how the circa 1928 department store retailer set out to differentiate itself from competitors such as the then hugely influential Federated and May chains.

March 22, 2013

Birmingham, Ala.-based Bayer Properties said it has been engaged by Institutional Mall Investors to oversee management of Bridge Street Town Centre, a mixed-use outdoor fashion center in Huntsville, Ala.

Huntsville, Ala. -- Birmingham, Ala.-based Bayer Properties said it has been engaged by Institutional Mall Investors to oversee management of Bridge Street Town Centre, a mixed-use outdoor fashion center in Huntsville, Ala. IMI’s assets now represent 2 million sq. ft. of Bayer’s 12 million-sq.-ft. owned and managed portfolio.

January 30, 2013

Bayer Properties said that Scott Laslo has joined the company as VP asset management.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Bayer Properties said Tuesday that Scott Laslo has joined the company as VP asset management. 

Laslo more recently served as VP/general manager and VP for Forest City Enterprises. His asset management role at Bayer will focus on value creation and oversight of the company’s growing portfolio of over 10 million sq. ft.
 

November 2, 2012

Nordstrom said it plans to open a Nordstrom Rack in Birmingham, Ala.

Seattle -- Nordstrom said it plans to open a Nordstrom Rack in Birmingham, Ala. This will be the retailer's first location in the state.

The approximately 35,000-sq. ft. store is scheduled to open in spring 2013 at River Ridge Shopping Center. The center is owned and operated by DDR Corp.

 

August 17, 2012

Hibbett Sports reported that net income for the quarter ended July 28 surged 32.9% to $7.9 million from $5.9 million in the comparable-year period.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Hibbett Sports reported Friday that net income for the quarter ended July 28 surged 32.9% to $7.9 million from $5.9 million in the comparable-year period.

The retailer reported a net sales increase of 8% to $165.4 million compared with $153.1 million for the same period last year. Same-store sales increased 4.8%.

The company increased its earnings guidance for fiscal 2013 and said it is on track to open 55 to 60 new stores, expand approximately 15 high performing stores and close up to 18 underperforming stores.

July 18, 2012

Books-A-Million said its largest shareholder group, the Anderson family, has withdrawn its non-binding offer to take the company private.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Books-A-Million said its largest shareholder group, the Anderson family, has withdrawn its non-binding offer to take the company private.

The Anderson family, which owns a 53% stake in the chain, had offered $3.05 per share in cash to take the company private in April.

“After discussing the proposal with the special committee of the company’s board of directors and its advisers, the Anderson family has decided not to pursue the proposed acquisition at this time,” the company said in a statement.

July 9, 2012

Hibbett Sports announced plans to build a wholesaling and logistics facility in Alabaster, Ala.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Hibbett Sports announced plans to build a wholesaling and logistics facility in Alabaster, Ala.

Construction on the new 360,000-sq.-ft. center is expected to commence in fall 2012 with the facility expected to be fully operational by fall 2014. When completed, it will replace the existing 180,000-sq.-ft. facility that the company currently leases in Birmingham.
 

July 9, 2012

Hibbett Sports announced plans to build a wholesaling and logistics facility in Alabaster, Ala.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Hibbett Sports announced plans to build a wholesaling and logistics facility in Alabaster, Ala.

Construction on the new 360,000-sq.-ft. center is expected to commence in fall 2012 with the facility expected to be fully operational by fall 2014. When completed, it will replace the existing 180,000-sq.-ft. facility that the company currently leases in Birmingham.
 

July 9, 2012

Foot Locker is debuting a new retail brand, The Locker Room, in the United Kingdom.

Foot Locker is debuting a new retail brand, The Locker Room, in the United Kingdom. The format was unveiled at the end of 2011, in Brent Cross Shopping Centre, North London. Two additional stores opened in spring 2012, in Birmingham’s Bullring shopping center, and in London’s Lakeside center.

June 8, 2012

Hibbett Sports announced that Scott J. Bowman has joined the company as senior VP and CFO effective July 9.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Hibbett Sports announced that Scott J. Bowman has joined the company as senior VP and CFO effective July 9. He will replace Gary Smith, whose retirement is effective July 8, 2012.

Bowman was most recently division chief financial officer – Northern Division for The Home Depot, a position he has held since 2006.
 

May 18, 2012

Hibbett Sports Inc. said that its fiscal first-quarter net income increased 24% on higher demand for sneakers and other athletic gear.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Hibbett Sports Inc. said Friday that its fiscal first-quarter net income increased 24% on higher demand for sneakers and other athletic gear. The retailer also raised its profit outlook for the year.

For the three months through April 28, Hibbett earned a better-than-expected $26.4 million, up from $21.3 million in the same quarter last year.

December 21, 2011

Despite the challenges in its category, Birmingham, Ala.-based book retailer Books-A-Million has embarked on an aggressive growth plan that added 41 new units to its store count in October and November 2011. The expansion, which put the 250-store retailer squarely in the No. 2 bookseller slot after Borders’ liquidation earlier in the year, has been accompanied by a newly honed focus on improving its loss-prevention program system-wide.

November 21, 2011

Hibbett Sports Inc. said that its third-quarter profit jumped 27%, amid strong demand for shoes and apparel.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Hibbett Sports Inc. said that its third-quarter profit jumped 27%, amid strong demand for shoes and apparel. The results beat Wall Street expectations and Hibbett raised its earnings forecast for the full year.

For the quarter ended Oct. 29, the sporting-goods chain reported net income of $16 million, up from $12.6 million in the year ago period. Sales increased 11% to $185.2. Same-store sales rose 7%.
 

November 21, 2011

Sachse Construction has been awarded two Nike store projects, in Louisville, Ky., and Des Moines, Iowa.

Birmingham, Mich. -- Sachse Construction has been awarded two Nike store projects, in Louisville, Ky., and Des Moines, Iowa. Both projects expect to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification.

The Nike Factory Store in Louisville is a 14,971-sq.-ft. remodel. The project took roughly 16 weeks to complete and was finished in mid-October.

The Des Moines Nike store is a 14,000-sq-ft. remodel. The project will take about 14 weeks and will be finished near the end of November.

October 26, 2011

Books-A-Million (BAM), which has been taking over the leases of former Borders locations, will transform 41 of the sites into BAM stores in early November.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Books-A-Million (BAM), which has been taking over the leases of former Borders locations, will transform 41 of the sites into BAM stores in early November. Most the locations, which are across the nation, represent new markets for the bookseller.

September 30, 2011

Books-A-Million said Thursday it has appointed Tyler Novak as general counsel.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Books-A-Million said Thursday it has appointed Tyler Novak as general counsel.

Novak will be responsible for overseeing all the company's legal affairs, including general corporate legal matters, intellectual property and corporate compliance, and will report to Clyde B. Anderson, chairman and CEO.
 

September 21, 2011

Hibbett Sports announced plans to open nine stores in October.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Hibbett Sports announced plans to open nine stores in October.

The locations are in Pine Bluff, Ark.; Louisville, Ky.; Ada and Grove, Okla.; Aiken, S.C.; Giddings and Nacogdoches, Texas; Grundy, Va.; and Hartford, Wis.
 

July 27, 2011

Birmingham, Mich.-based commercial real estate development firm Robert B. Aikens & Associates LLC announced that it has acquired the Pine Ridge Square center, located in Gaylord, Mich.

Gaylord, Mich. -- Birmingham, Mich.-based commercial real estate development firm Robert B. Aikens & Associates LLC announced Wednesday that it has acquired the Pine Ridge Square center, located in Gaylord, Mich.

At 189,000 sq. ft., Pine Ridge Square is home to Big Lots, Dunham’s, Bath & Body Works, GNC and Payless Shoe Source. The center currently has 30,000 sq. ft. available for lease.
 

July 26, 2011

Books-A-Million said late Monday that it was unable to put a deal together to acquire the leases and assets of 30 Borders bookstores out of bankruptcy.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Books-A-Million said late Monday that it was unable to put a deal together to acquire the leases and assets of 30 Borders bookstores out of bankruptcy.

"The company’s efforts to secure the inventory, fixtures, equipment and leasehold interests for 30 Borders stores has ended unsuccessfully because the parties could not agree on terms and the going out of business sales at these locations commenced," Clyde B. Anderson, Books-A-Million CEO, said.

July 22, 2011

Books-A-Million confirmed it has submitted a bid to purchase, among other things, the inventory, fixtures, equipment, and leasehold interests for 30 Borders locations.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Books-A-Million confirmed it has submitted a bid to purchase, among other things, the inventory, fixtures, equipment, and leasehold interests for 30 Borders locations. Under the proposed bid, Books-A-Million will assume the leases for these locations and continue to operate these stores. The move comes as Borders Group, after winning court approval, begins to liquidate its business.

July 21, 2011

Borders Group on Thursday won court approval to liquidate its remaining 399 stores, even as it negotiates to sell up to 35 stores to Books-a-Million.

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- Borders Group on Thursday won court approval to liquidate its remaining 399 stores, even as it negotiates to sell up to 35 stores to Books-a-Million.

"This is a bittersweet day," said U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Martin Glenn before a packed courtroom. "There are a lot of sad people around the country, a lot of sad people in the corporate headquarters. But there has been a late-breaking development."

May 20, 2011

Hibbett Sports Inc. reported Friday that net income for the quarter ended April 30 rose 23% to $21.3 million, compared with $17.3 million in the year-ago period.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Hibbett Sports Inc. reported Friday that net income for the quarter ended April 30 rose 23% to $21.3 million, compared with $17.3 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue increased 10.4% to $203.7 million, beating analysts’ projected $200.8 million in revenue. 

During the quarter, Hibbett opened eight new stores, expanded four others and closed seven underperforming stores. During the rest of the fiscal year, Hibbett said it expects to open between 50 and 55 new stores, close 10 to 15 stores and expand another 15 stores.

May 20, 2011

Birmingham, Mich.-based Robert B. Aikens & Associates LLC announced the addition of two new tenants, Portrait Innovations and Flat Top Grill, to its Village of Rochester Hills lifestyle center project in Rochester Hills, Mich.

Rochester Hills, Mich. -- Birmingham, Mich.-based Robert B. Aikens & Associates LLC announced the addition of two new tenants, Portrait Innovations and Flat Top Grill, to its Village of Rochester Hills lifestyle center project in Rochester Hills, Mich.  

The Village of Rochester Hills Portrait Innovations location, which opened May 10th, is the company’s eighth store in Michigan.  Flat Top Grill will replace Baja Fresh as one of the center’s nine eating establishments. 

March 11, 2011

Hibbett Sports Inc. said Friday that its fiscal fourth-quarter net income climbed 6% on higher sales. The sporting goods retailer also predicts its fiscal 2012 earnings will be in line with Wall Street's view.

Birmingham, Ala. — Hibbett Sports said Friday that its fiscal fourth-quarter net income climbed 6% on higher sales. The sporting goods retailer also predicts its fiscal 2012 earnings will be in line with Wall Street's view.

Hibbett Sports reported net income of $12.5 million for the period ended Jan. 29, up from $11.8 million a year earlier, better than Wall Street expected.

Revenue rose 4% to $173.2 million from $166.8 million, but fell short of Wall Street's estimate of $174.2 million. Same-store sales rose 1.2%.

November 19, 2010

Hibbett Sports said Friday its third-quarter profit jumped 43% as it posted another quarter of double-digit growth in same-store sales revenue.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Hibbett Sports said Friday its third-quarter profit jumped 43% as it posted another quarter of double-digit growth in same-store sales revenue. It also boosted its forecast for the year.

The company reported net income of $12.6 million in the three months that ended Oct. 30, up from $8.8 million a year ago.

Revenue rose nearly 15% to $167.4 million, from $145.9 million a year ago. Same-store sales rose 12.5%.