Marketing

TOWSON, Md. —  Black & Decker has introduced its new Steam-Mop featuring trademarked SmartSelect technology that enables users to use the mop on a variety of floor types. When the right setting is chosen the mop will release the required amount of steam needed to clean the floor.

The mop works with regular tap water, thus eliminating the need for harsh chemicals, the company reported. According to Black & Decker, this mop can kill  99.9 percent of germs to achieve a clean home the all-natural way. 

Bellevue, Wash. -- MulvannyG2 Architecture announced that senior principal Brian Fleener, AIA, has been promoted to VP of retail stores development for the firm.

Fleener will lead the development of MulvannyG2’s retail stores market sector and design strategy, and offer clients a global perspective on their retail development plans.
 

San Francisco -- Gap plans to open stores in Serbia and Ukraine later this year as its continues to expand its international operations.

The chain said Friday that it signed new deals with existing franchise partners that will put Gap stores in Belgrade and Kiev.

According to Stephen Sunnucks, the company's international president, the Ukraine is the fastest-growing retail market in Eastern Europe, while Serbia has many young customers who enjoy shopping.

New York City -- Veteran retailer Leo Kahn, who developed his family-owned wholesale business into the Purity Supreme chain, co-founded Staples, and pioneered selling natural foods in supermarket-sized venues, died on Wednesday in Boston. He was 94.

Cincinnati -- Kroger Co. CEO and chairman David Dillon saw his pay fell again as the chain's sales and profit growth fell below tough targets amid continuing economic instability.

An Associated Press analysis shows Dillon received compensation for 2011 valued at $5.4 million, down 19% from 2009. It is the third straight year in which Dillon's largely performance-based pay fell.

The AP's calculation counts salary, bonuses, perks and stock and options awarded to the executive during the year.
 

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores is buying a minority stake in online company Yihaodian, which sells groceries, consumer electronics, clothing and other items. Terms of the deal and the size of the stake were not disclosed.

The deal will help expand the Wal-Mart’s reach into China, where it has 328 stores (as of Dec. 31, 2010).

Frisco, Texas -- New York City-based Centro Properties Group said that The Foundry Big & Tall Supply Co. has opened at Preston Ridge, located in Frisco, Texas.

The 5,000-sq.-ft. store is part of the new Growth Brands Division at J.C. Penney Co.

Preston Ridge is owned by Centro.
 

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. -- Fameco Real Estate announced that it is opening an office in center city Philadelphia to better accommodate the growth of its clientele in the market. 

Encino, Calif. -- Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services said it has promoted Bill Rose to director of the National Retail Group.

Rose joined Marcus & Millichap’s San Diego office in September 2003 as a retail and multifamily investment specialist. He was promoted to senior associate in September 2006. He rejoined the firm in November 2009 as sales manager of the San Diego office and in November 2010 was named western regional director of the NRG.
 

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — HanesBrands announced that CFO E. Lee Wyatt has resigned effective June 30 and current controller and chief accounting officer Dale Boyles will serve as interim CFO while the company conducts a search to fill the position.

Wyatt, 58, who joined HanesBrands before its 2006 spinoff to oversee the development of the company’s financial, accounting, and external reporting capabilities, is leaving the company to seek similar opportunities, according to HanesBrands.