Marketing

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples has named Michael Williams as SVP, general counsel and secretary, effective Nov 7. Williams will have global management responsibility for the company’s legal team and will report to Ron Sargent, Staples’ chairman and chief executive officer.

“Mike brings more than 25 years of legal management experience to Staples,” Sargent said. “With his proven leadership and experience across industries, he will play an important role in supporting the company’s growth.”

Lakeland, Fla. -- Publix Super Markets announced that it has signed a lease for its first store in the state of North Carolina. The company said it is looking forward to continued growth in the state, and that the new location will be part of a new division based in Charlotte.

The 56,000-sq. ft. store, which will be located in Ballantyne, N.C., is scheduled to open in early 2014.
 

Memphis -- Fred’s Super Dollar announced that it is launching a holiday layaway plan featuring no fees and a down payment of only $1. The plan also offers a $5 gift card to customers for every layaway purchase totaling $50 or more.

Austin, Texas -- SecureNet Payment Systems, a leader in payment processing technology, announced it has opened a new technology and innovation center in Austin, Texas, and revealed plans for a client operations center in Silicon Valley, Calif., later this year. SecureNet is expanding its footprint to house its growing staff, attract top talent and continue its close collaboration with clients in providing the most innovative single source/multi-channel solutions in the payments industry.  

Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers has acquired Balboa Mesa Shopping Center, a 189,321-sq.-ft. infill shopping center anchored by a 42,247-sq.-ft. Vons grocery store.

Regency purchased the San Diego property for $59.5 million from Balboa Realty LLC.
 
Built in 1969, Balboa Mesa Shopping Center is also anchored by a 77,000-sq.-ft. Kohl’s and a 24,000-sq.-ft. CVS/pharmacy.

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties announced that Farzana Mitchell has succeeded John Foy as CFO.  

Foy will remain in the near term as executive vice chairman to provide continuity through the transition.  

In addition, the CBL board announced that Katie Reinsmidt has been promoted to the new position of senior VP – investor relations and corporate investments.

Santa Clara, Calif. -- Burberry, Tag Heuer and Wolford will join Westfield Valley Fair’s collection of luxury retailers, marking the debut of the South Bay shopping center’s first phase of significant expansion.

The new stores will join Cartier, Mont Blanc, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co. on the east side of Westfield Valley Fair.

Puyallup, Wash. -- Youngstown, Ohio-based Cafaro Co. announced that BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse will open a 9,200-sq.-ft. restaurant at South Hill Mall in Puyallup, Wash.

The new tenant is scheduled to open February 11, 2013, located between Red Robin and Olive Garden restaurants.

South Plainfield, N.J. -- Charter Realty said it has been selected to lease Oak Park Commons located in South Plainfield, N.J.
 
The single-story, 136,939-sq.-ft. community shopping center is anchored by A&P Supermarket in 60,025 sq. ft. and includes a mix of national, regional and local tenants.
 
Oak Park Commons is currently 76% occupied with 33,508 sq. ft. of available space.
 

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart and HumanaVitality annunced a first-of-its-kind program called Vitality HealthyFood, whereby Walmart offers a 5% discount on produce items to HumanaVitality members. The discount is loaded on a card in the form of a credit within five business days that can be redeemed on a subsequent trip to Walmart.