Content about consultant

New York -- Following unanimous approval in March by the New York City Council for the redevelopment of Pier 17, The Howard Hughes Corp. said it has named RKF as the exclusive consultant and leasing agent for the South Street Seaport.

Long Beach, Calif. -- Epson America announced that Barry Wise, a long-time Epson consultant and retail industry leader, passed away on December 28, 2012.

"Barry was a one-of-a kind visionary who made an indelible mark in the retail technology industry," said Mike Helm, director of sales for Epson's business systems division and long time colleague of Wise. "Barry was passionate and insightful about how technology could make a difference to retailers. Epson has lost a dear friend and a valuable partner.

Retailers looking to add sparkle to this year’s Christmas season may want to take a new look at their gift card programs. Last year, more than half of consumers bought at least one gift card for the holidays, according to a report from First Data Corp., an Atlanta-based e-commerce processor.

Indeed, consumers seem to be taking more of a shine than ever to these types of spending vehicles.

Minneapolis -- A Tuesday report by Bloomberg said that Best Buy compensation consultant Don Delves resigned after Best Buy awarded more than 100 managers retention bonuses that weren’t tied to performance.

Citing people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported that Delves – who is president of Chicago-based Delves Group and was retained by the Best Buy board -- was strongly opposed to the payments.  He has worked with the retailer’s compensation committee for seven years as an independent consultant.

By Tim Callan, timcallan.blogspot.com

With store closures and falling revenue threatening major retail chains, maximizing store productivity is more important than ever before. While it’s been proven for many years that website analytics can drive dramatic improvement in online retail environments, so far most brick-and-mortar retailers are engaged in only rudimentary measurement.

By Rich Arlington

Record snowfall last season spelled trouble for many roofs and parking garage decks. The continuous storms that dumped more than 2 ft. of snow in New England alone had facility owners frantically addressing weight load issues as heavy snow and ice threatened, and in some cases caused, roof and deck top collapses. The fallout: a rise in lawsuits as owners, insurance companies and snow contractors battle over snow and ice procedures followed, or not, in comparison with written contracts.

New York City -- Harry & David Holdings, which filed for Chapter 11 in March, asked the court Tuesday for permission to hire a real estate consultant to help close 50 of its 122 stores.

The company seeks approval to hire DJM Realty Services, a subsidiary of the Gordon Brothers Group. The filing said that DJM also could help Harry & David renegotiate leases with landlords for 69 of its other stores

Fort Myers, Fla. -- Chico's FAS announced Tuesday that it has appointed Kent A. Kleeberger to the position of executive VP, COO. 

Kleeberger will replace Jeffrey A. Jones, who is retiring from the company effective March 7. Jones will serve as part-time consultant to the company during a transition period.

Kleeberger, 58, has served as executive VP-finance and CFO of Chico's FAS since joining the company in November 2007. Previously, he was senior VP and CFO for Dollar Tree Stores.

Columbia, S.C. -- Edens & Avant said Tuesday it has promoted Jami Passer to managing director. Prior to joining Edens & Avant in 2006, Passer was a partner and consultant with P3 Partners, a South Florida real estate advisory firm as well as being a managing director in the Real Estate Capital Markets Group of Andersen Corporate Finance LLC.