Content about editor

Editor's Note: Chain Store Age's 24th annual survey of Fastest-Growing Acquirers measured retail square footage purchased during the 2012 calendar year.

This year's Fastest-Growing Acquirers range from list regulars to newcomers, a clear sign that retail is returning as a favored sector for growth.

A recovering economy continues to make retail an appealing category for operators and investors alike and, as might be expected, this year's fraternity contains some of the industry's major consolidators. Yet it also holds investment funds branching into new sectors.

Editor's Note: Chain Store Age's 24th annual survey of Fastest-Growing Managers measures new domestic and international third-party management and leasing contracts obtained during the preceding calendar year (2012).

Last year's numbers were such that we couldn't limit our annual Fastest-Growing third-party managers listing to a top five; a sixth was added because the contract totals were that close.

HEADQUARTERS San Francisco

TYPE OF BUSINESS Beauty and fragrance retailer

NUMBER OF STORES 1,600 global locations, including 325 stores in North America and 386 in-store shops in J.C. Penney

Beauty and cosmetics retailer Sephora is ignited not only by its highly trained cast of associates and smart, forward-thinking approach to in-store digital, but also by the man behind the black, white and red store design.

When it comes to mobile commerce and digital solutions, Sears Holdings has evolved into a best-in-class company, one that has truly embraced the cross-channel shopping experience. Seeking ways to make shopping more convenient for its customers, the chain was among the first to offer visibility to in-store inventory, as well as the ability to buy online and pick up in-store.

Chain Store Age editor Marianne Wilson talks with Michael Schulze, Senior Vice President & General Manager, North America Retail Industry, SAP America, about  the motivation behind the "Black Friday and Cyber Monday Consumer Face-Off," and the technology used to uncover its insights, in the following Q&A:

Regional retailers are typically defined by geography, but Charlotte, N.C.-based Belk is a bit different than most. Distinguished by its signature Southern hospitality, the nation’s largest privately held department store chain has a dominant presence throughout the South and a footprint as far west as Oklahoma and north through Maryland. But its reach extends even farther, as Canadians and Californians alike shop its e-commerce site. 

For many retail brands, Chapter 11 is not always the end of the story. Just consider the sequel being crafted by home furnishings retailer Bombay Company, which was founded in 1978 as a mail-order operation and grew to a national presence with 461 stores before filing for bankruptcy in late 2007 and closing all its U.S. locations.

There’s no doubt about it: Consumers of all ages are becoming increasingly “social,” and how retailers respond to the trend will be critical to their businesses going forward. Sam Mukherjee, senior director, Fujitsu America, talks with Chain Store Age editor Marianne Wilson about why a social strategy is so important for retailers, offers tips for getting started and guidelines on how a retailer can differentiate themselves using a social platform. 
 

As it celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, Wal-Mart Stores is being recognized for many achievements, not the least of which is its leadership in sustainability. On the green front, the chain has become a leader in best practices, with innovations that deliver positive results for consumers, communities and the company’s bottom line.

San Francisco — Williams-Sonoma has appointed former editor-in-chief of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia’s Everyday Food Anna Last as the chain's SVP and executive creative director. Last will oversee all facets of the brand’s expression in the Williams-Sonoma catalog, on Williams-sonoma.com and in the brand’s store environments.

As one of the oldest REITs in existence today, Federal Realty Investment Trust has every right to send up some fireworks over reaching the 50-year mark this year.

The Rockville, Md.-based real estate company was established in 1962 with three properties in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area, including Congressional Plaza (shown here, both then and now). Today, Federal Realty’s portfolio comprises about 19.3 million sq. ft. primarily in its core base of the northeastern and Mid-Atlantic U.S., as well as in California.

Editor’s note: Chain Store Age’s 23rd annual survey of Fastest-Growing Acquirers measured retail square footage purchased during the 2011 calendar year.

For some companies, being among the top acquirers of shopping centers almost is business as usual — top-ranked Inland Real Estate is a perennial leader, largely through avidly scouring daily for possible deals, while Kimco maintained its focus on top projects in top markets.