Content about General

May 22, 2013

General economic conditions and federal, state and/or local regulations rank as the top two risks facing the retail industry, according to a new report by BDO USA.

Chicago -- General economic conditions and federal, state and/or local regulations rank as the top two risks facing the retail industry, according to a new report by BDO USA. The report, an analysis of the risk factors listed in the most recent 10-K filings of the largest 100 public U.S. retailers, found that federal, state and local regulations have increased as a risk among the nation’s largest retailers.

May 2, 2013

By Douglas H. Meal, David T. Cohen, and Lisa L. Rachlin, Ropes & Gray LLP

By Douglas H. Meal, David T. Cohen, and Lisa L. Rachlin, Ropes & Gray LLP

Retailers, like all businesses, constantly seek to learn more about their customers in order to serve them better. In Tyler v. Michaels Stores, however, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court recently ruled that a simple step taken by many retailers to help achieve this goal – collecting the ZIP codes of their customers at the point of sale – can in some circumstances violate Massachusetts’ consumer protection statute.
   

October 1, 2012

Data released Monday by the Associated General Contractors of America revealed that construction spending declined between July and August to an annualized rate of $837 billion, but increased compared with August 2011 driven largely by growing demand for residential, lodging and education construction.

New York -- Data released Monday by the Associated General Contractors of America revealed that construction spending declined between July and August to an annualized rate of $837 billion, but increased compared with August 2011 driven largely by growing demand for residential, lodging and education construction.

September 11, 2012

Kum & Go and Casey’s General Stores announced that they have signed an agreement for Casey’s to acquire 22 convenience stores from Kum & Go.

Des Moines, Iowa -- Kum & Go and Casey’s General Stores announced that they have signed an agreement for Casey’s to acquire 22 convenience stores from Kum & Go.

The stores are located in Iowa, Missouri and North Dakota.

August 24, 2012

The store opening plans of retailers hit a four-year high in July, according to the August edition of the National Retailer Demand Monthly report from RBC Capital Markets and Retail Lease Trac.

New York -- The store opening plans of retailers hit a four-year high in July, according to the August edition of the National Retailer Demand Monthly report from RBC Capital Markets and Retail Lease Trac.

Retailers in the RBC database currently plan to open 78,325 stores over the next 24 months, which represents an 11% increase over openings projected at the end of 2011, and a 0.6% increase over June’s level.

July 19, 2012

By Eileen F. Mitchell, RCS Real Estate Advisors

By Eileen F. Mitchell, emitchell@rcsrealestate.com

May 16, 2012

This might not come as a huge surprise, but “irrational exuberance” is unlikely to be on prominent display.

This might not come as a huge surprise, but “irrational exuberance” is unlikely to be on prominent display. What have, in the past, been lavish spending habits of RECon attendees have been diminished in recent years, and I think the 2012 event will be no exception.

May 15, 2012

General economic conditions, U.S. and foreign supplier vendor concerns, and competition/consolidation are the top three risk factors cited by retailers, according to a new study by BDO USA, LLP, a leading accounting and consulting firm.

New York -- General economic conditions, U.S. and foreign supplier vendor concerns, and competition/consolidation are the top three risk factors cited by retailers, according to a new study by BDO USA, LLP, a leading accounting and consulting firm. Rounding out the top five: federal, state and local regulations, and terrorism, natural disasters and geo-political events.

April 25, 2012

Casey’s General Stores said it will break ground on its first site in Tennessee in June, marking the thirteenth state in the c-store chain’s area of operations.

Ankeny, Iowa -- Casey’s General Stores said Tuesday it will break ground on its first site in Tennessee in June, marking the thirteenth state in the c-store chain’s area of operations.

The debut store will open in Dyersburg, Tenn., in October.

“We believe the state of Tennessee provides an excellent opportunity for Casey’s,” said Robert Myers, president and CEO.

March 15, 2012

Casey’s General Stores said that it will break ground on its first site in Kentucky later this month.

Ankeny, Iowa -- Casey’s General Stores said Thursday that it will break ground on its first site in Kentucky later this month. This store will be located in Cadiz, Ky., and will mark the 12th state in which the c-store chain operates.

The Cadiz store is slated to open summer 2012, and will be followed by additional stores in Paducah and Henderson later this year, said the company.

Casey’s said it also has land under contract in Tennessee with plans to break ground next fiscal year as well.

March 1, 2012

General merchandise retailers Shopko Stores and Pamida announced the completion of their previously announced merger that will create a $3 billion company that serves largely rural communities in 22 states.

Green Bay Wis. -- General merchandise retailers Shopko Stores and Pamida announced Thursday the completion of their previously announced merger that will create a $3 billion company that serves largely rural communities in 22 states.

The combined entity will retain the Shopko name. Shopko will be headquartered in Green Bay and Pamida’s corporate headquarters in Omaha, Neb., will be consolidated into the Green Bay office over the next several months.

February 14, 2012

Trinity Building + Construction Management Corp. announced Tuesday that it has formed a new Canadian entity called Trinity Builders + General Contractors, ULC.

Wilmington, Mass. -- Trinity Building + Construction Management Corp. announced Tuesday that it has formed a new Canadian entity called Trinity Builders + General Contractors, ULC. The new company’s first project is a retail build-out for J. Crew, in Vancouver, British Columbia.

“Canada’s economy is largely driven by energy and natural resources and therefore has not had the tremendous downturn that we have recently experienced in the U.S,” said Paul Mancini, one of Trinity’s founders and VP business development.

October 24, 2011

An active post office no more, The Old Post Office Pavilion has secured its survival over the decades via a myriad of commercial uses. 


September 14, 2011

A report released Wednesday by the Commerce Department said that retail sales were flat in August, the weakest showing in three months.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Wednesday by the Commerce Department said that retail sales were flat in August, the weakest showing in three months.

Apparel retail sales fell 0.7% in August, following a 0.3% decline in July.  Department store sales declined 0.3%.  General merchandise stores such as Wal-Mart and Target fared better, with 0.1% gains. Analysts said Hurricane Irene likely disrupted sales in late August along most of the East Coast.

August 10, 2011

General Nutrition Centers has installed high performance, energy efficient LED bulbs from Lighting Science Group bulbs at select corporate-owned locations.

Satellite Beach, Fla. -- General Nutrition Centers has installed high performance, energy efficient LED bulbs from Lighting Science Group bulbs at select corporate-owned locations.

The Energy Star-approved LEDs are 80% more efficient than the halogen bulbs they replaced, are fully dimmable and have about 50% light output than competing products, according to the company.

June 3, 2011

Casey’s General Stores and Kum & Go announced that they have signed a definitive purchase agreement for Casey’s to acquire 22 convenience stores from Kum & Go.

Ankeny, Iowa -- Casey’s General Stores and Kum & Go announced that they have signed a definitive purchase agreement for Casey’s to acquire 22 convenience stores from Kum & Go.

The stores, all of which are located in Iowan, will be immediately rebranded to Casey’s once the transaction is completed.

May 25, 2011

General Nutrition Centers, has added PayPal's Mobile Express Checkout to its mobile site. The integration was made exclusively by mobile and social commerce provider, Branding Brand, without any involvement from third-party service providers, and makes GNC one of the first to implement this feature on its mobile site.

Pittsburgh — General Nutrition Centers, has added PayPal's Mobile Express Checkout to its mobile site. The integration was made exclusively by mobile and social commerce provider, Branding Brand, without any involvement from third-party service providers, and makes GNC one of the first to implement this feature on its mobile site.

March 7, 2011

General Nutrition Centers has dramatically reduced its energy consumption while improving store aesthetics by switching to LED lamps. The chain is in the final stages of completing a retrofit of some 2,700 company-owned North American stores. 


GNC has employed a variety of lighting technologies over the years, always keeping energy consumption in mind. But it came to a point where the chain wanted an even more energy-efficient turnkey solution, one that would reduce costs and add to store appearance. 


March 3, 2011

Casey’s General Stores has signed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire five convenience stores from QuikTrip Corp. All of the stores are located in the Springfield, Mo., metropolitan area.

Ankeny, Iowa -- Casey’s General Stores has signed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire five convenience stores from QuikTrip Corp. All of the stores are located in the Springfield, Mo., metropolitan area.

The stores will be immediately rebranded to Casey’s once the transaction is completed.

March 1, 2011

General Nutrition Centers said Tuesday that Sam's Club will start selling a few of its products this month.

Pittsburgh -- General Nutrition Centers said Tuesday that Sam's Club will start selling a few of its products this month.

About 400 Sam's Club locations will start by selling two products, a 2-pound container of GNC Pro Performance whey protein for $18.09 and a 1.7-pound bottle of GNC Total LeanT Lean ShakeT for $22.98. Sam's Club will rotate other products onto shelves throughout the year.

GNC said it will work with Sam's Club to develop products specific to Sam's Club members.

February 25, 2011

General Nutrition Centers reported Friday that net income for the quarter ended Dec. 31 surged 56.3% to $19.8 million, compared with $12.7 million in the year-ago period.

Pittsburgh -- General Nutrition Centers reported Friday that net income for the quarter ended Dec. 31 surged 56.3% to $19.8 million, compared with $12.7 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue for the quarter rose 7.9% to $435.7 million, from $403.9 million a year earlier. Same-store sales improved 5.8% in domestic company-owned stores (including e-commerce sales).
 

December 23, 2010

Centro Properties Group said that General Nutrition Center has opened a 1,600-sq.-ft. store at Merchants Park, in Houston.

Houston -- Centro Properties Group said that General Nutrition Center has opened a 1,600-sq.-ft. store at Merchants Park, in Houston.

Centro Properties Group, based in New York City, is the owner of Merchants Park.

November 10, 2010

General Growth Properties announced it has launched The Club’s Mobile Application, which allows users to...

Chicago General Growth Properties announced it has launched The Club’s Mobile Application, which allows users to access exclusive promotions, discounts and mall event information at over 150 GGP malls in the United States.

According to the shopping center owner, Android and iPhone users can download the free application through the App Store or Android Market by searching The Club Shopping Mall Guide. 

November 2, 2010

Casey’s General Stores said Wednesday it has ended its discussions with 7-Eleven regarding a potential...

October 31, 2010

Robert K. Futterman & Associates announced it has secured a 1,050-sq.-ft. space for General Nutrition...