Consumer Affairs & Relations

Walmart makes a big deal out of its culture, and as a result it invites criticism whenever changes are made to long-standing company policies that are somehow seen as diminishing the culture. That was the case again this week when reports surfaced that people greeters working the overnight shift had been reassigned other duties.

I know it’s simply human nature to want the best of the best, and to prioritize top quality. And, it’s certainly no different in our industry. Lately, analysts and investors seem to be spending an awful lot of time and energy focusing on only the “top” properties and brands. I think they may be a bit short sighted and could even be missing out on some great opportunities. I’m talking about the ongoing debate between “A” and “B” malls.

NEW YORK — Management consultancy Kurt Salmon announced John Karonis will move into the role of deputy chief executive officer and Brooks Kitchel, long-time retail specialist, will replace Karonis as head of the firm's global retail and consumer products group.

New York City -- The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index slightly dropped in December despite small improvements in three-out-of-four components.

The index — which is comprised of tax burden, initial unemployment claims, real wages and real home prices — fell to 1.86 from a reading of 1.93 the previous month. Because of this drop, the ability for consumers to continue to spend at the rates seen in 2011 may be in question, Deloitte said.

New York City -- Wal-Mart Stores no longer is employing greeters during the overnight shift at its approximate 3,000 U.S. supercenters, Bloomberg reported.

For the past six months, the chain has been reassigning greeters at supercenters to other jobs, the report said.
 

New York City -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Wednesday opened its second supercenter and fifth location overall in Chicago.

Minneapolis -- SuperValu Inc. said Tuesday it has named Michael Moore as executive VP and chief marketing officer.

Moore, 47, joined the company in 2011 in the role of business transformation officer. He succeeds Julie Dexter Berg, who left the company to return to the West Coast.

Moore previously held a variety of executive leadership positions within customer business development at Procter & Gamble.
 

WASHINGTON — After President Barack Obama delivered his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, the National Retail Federation issued a response regarding his remarks on job creation.

NRF said it welcomed the President's emphasis on job creation, saying that it will help restore the nation's economic state.