Belk Files For Bankruptcy

Belk Inc., as expected, filed for bankruptcy protection in  Houston, TX commencing “Pre-Packaged, One Day” reorganization. The plan calls for the reduction of $450 million in debt from the department store’s balance sheet and a $225 million capital infusion, supplied by Belk lenders and its private-equity owner Sycamore.

REI Expands Mobile Work Practices

REI announced that it has both identified the first of its future satellite offices in Issaquah, WA and will test a model that allows employees to work up to five days a week from home. The moves follow REI’s sale last September of its newly completed corporate campus in Bellevue, WA, with plans to shift to a more distributed work model.

Macy’s Q4 Comps Drop 17 Percent

Macy’s reported fourth-quarter earnings fell by about half but came in well ahead of analyst targets. Comparable sales fell 17 percent on an owned basis, but sales were also ahead of expectations, led by 21 percent e-commerce growth.