Marketing

New York City -- Foot Locker said Thursday it has named Allen I. Questrom, along with Guillermo Marmol, to its board of directors, bringing the total number of directors to 11.

Questrom, the former chairman and CEO of J.C. Penney Co., Barneys New York and Federated Dept. Stores, now Macy’s, is currently a senior advisor to Lee Equity Partners.

Marmol is president of Marmol & Associates, and has a long background in information technology and systems.

Cincinnati -- Kroger Co. announced late Wednesday that executive VP Donald E. Becker died Wednesday after suffering an aneurysm. He was 62 years old.

Becker started with Kroger as a clerk in 1969 in the Cincinnati-Dayton area and worked his way up to hold several leadership positions. In 2004, he became executive VP, a role in which he led the company's merchandising and purchasing among other duties, the company said in a statement.

New York City -- Italian eyewear maker and retailer Luxottica Group SpA said Thursday it will acquire two specialty sunglass retailers in a deal worth about $23 million in a move to gain entry to the Mexican market.

Luxottica’s deal to buy Stanza and High Tech includes more than 70 stores that will eventually be rebranded as Sunglass Hut locations.

New York City -- Guess announced Thursday that its North American flagship location has opened at 575 Fifth Avenue, at 47th St., in New York City.

The new store, the retailer’s largest to date, spans 13,000 sq. ft. over two floors and is inspired by the brand’s new global flagship concept launched in Milan last year.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Thursday by the Labor Department said that applications for jobless benefits increased by 25,000 to 410,000 in the week ended Feb. 12, exceeding the 400,000 median forecast of economists surveyed by Bloomberg News.

The filings increase indicates that labor market will take time to develop.

The total number of people receiving unemployment insurance was little changed, while those collecting extended payments decreased.

Minneapolis -- Another Target store is coming to downtown Chicago as the retailer disclosed it would open a small-format store under the new CityTarget banner in the Sullivan Center development at South State Street and Madison.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway has introduced its new SimpleNutrition program, an in-store shelf tag system that makes it easier for shoppers to find better nutrition choices among foods and beverages. The SimpleNutrition green shelf tags on qualifying items are located throughout the store next to Safeway’s everyday low prices and club card specials.

NEW YORK -- The Jones Group Inc. announced that it has appointed Sally Ross EVP merchandising for Nine West Direct, effective immediately. Ross' focus will be on leading the merchandise initiatives for Nine West Retail, Nine West Outlet and NineWest.com, and she will report directly to Ron Offir, President, Jones Direct Group, the company reported.

Santa Monica, Calif. -- Real estate broker Scott P. Lifschultz announced he has formed SPL Realty Partners, a retail real estate brokerage and consulting company.

Current clients include CVS/pharmacy, Dean & Deluca, LandMark Retail Group, Johnny Was, Casual Male Retail Group and Destination XL. Based in Santa Monica, Calif., the company’s services include tenant representation, strategic planning, site selection, transaction management, owner representation, leasing & marketing, consulting and investment sales.

Addison, Texas -- Coyote Management, L.P. said that Jim Adkins has joined its management team as the new senior leasing specialist.

Adkins will office at Lakeshore Mall in Gainesville, Ga.

Before joining Coyote Management, Adkins was VP retail leasing for Bull Realty.