Marketing

BRISBANE, Calif. -- Walmart announced that it has acquired the services of Kosmix, a Mountain View, Calif.-based company to grow its multi-channel strategy.

CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid announced that Tony Montini has been promoted to EVP merchandising. In his new position, Montini will oversee field merchandising and the company’s new store format development in addition to his current responsibilities for category management. 

Montini most recently served as SVP category management. He will continue to report to Ken Martindale, Rite Aid COO.

Matthews, N.C. -- Family Dollar Stores announced Monday that it has named Brad Rogers to the position of VP real estate development.

Rogers will report to Keith Gehl, senior VP real estate and facilities.

Rogers began his career at Family Dollar in 1998 as real estate manager. Since joining the company, he has held additional roles in the real estate division, most recently serving as regional VP of the real estate portfolio and new stores.
 

Camp Hill, Pa. -- Rite Aid Corp. said Monday that Tony Montini has been promoted to executive VP merchandising.

Montini most recently served as senior VP of category management.

In his new position, Montini will oversee field merchandising and the company’s new store format development in addition to his current responsibilities for category management. The company’s new store formats include wellness stores, value + stores and co-branded Save-A-Lot Rite Aid stores.

Princeton, N.J. -- NAI Global said that Jay B. Olshonsky has joined the NAI Global New York City team as executive VP and COO.
 
Olshonsky previously was COO at NAI Friedland Realty, NAI Global’s Westchester County affiliate. He joined the NAI network in 2010 after 15 years with CB Richard Ellis, where he served as managing director in charge of its Washington, D.C., brokerage operations.

Cincinnati -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased restaurant space to Arirang Japanese Bistro at Sycamore Plaza in Cincinnati.

The Japanese Hibachi steak house and sushi restaurant leased 7,600 sq. ft. and is slated to open in the fall. The dining establishment is taking the space formerly occupied by Max & Erma’s restaurant. 

Hermosa Beach, Calif. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased restaurant space in Hermosa Beach, Calif., at Plaza Hermosa shopping center to The Counter. 

The burger restaurant has leased 2,837 sq. ft. and is slated to open for business in July.

The 94,939-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by Vons, alongside national retailers such as CVS/pharmacy, Aaron Brothers, Jamba Juice and The UPS Store.

From where I sit, I’ve noticed a certain “buzz” of optimism in our industry -- frustrations and anxieties from a tough couple of years seem to be giving way to increasingly sunny retail sales forecasts. Is this sudden sense of optimism justified by cold, hard facts? Or, is this increasing sense of optimism somewhat irrational?

Houston -- Men's Wearhouse announced Monday that company president and COO Douglas S. Ewert will succeed founder George Zimmer as president and COO, effective June 15.

According to the retailer, the transition is part of a previously announced succession plan.

Ewert, 47, has been nominated by the board to be elected as a director of the company at the annual shareholder meeting and will be included in the list of nominees in the proxy statement for consideration by the shareholders.

Daqing, China -- QKL Stores said Monday that it opened a new hypermarket store, its 51st, in Hailin County, Heilongjiang Province, on April 15.

The new store by Northeast China’s leading regional supermarket chain is approximately 7,300 sq. meters and is located in a small shopping center in a newly developed residential area which can serve over 80,000 potential customers.