Marketing

New York City -- Consumer spending will rise 3% this year, according to retail analysts at S&P Equity Research. While the majority of publicly traded retailers were able to capture share in 2010 from smaller competitors or those that were forced to declare bankruptcy, and also increase profit margins, the S&P retail analysts see 2011 as another good year.

By George F. Brown, Jr., [email protected]

The increased pace of merger and acquisition activity late in 2010, including some huge deals, suggests that 2011 will be an active year. Low interest rates, significant cash on many firms’ balance sheets, and stock prices that are low enough to attract buyers but high enough to move sellers off the sidelines all reinforce that possibility.

Conshohocken, Pa. -- Metro Commercial Real Estate said Monday that Roy Perez-Daple has joined the company, where he will expand the firm’s national retailer advisory services as well as pursue strategic landlord opportunities.

New York City -- Winick Realty Group LLC said Tuesday that, effective immediately, Steven E. Baker has been named president of the firm.

Baker, who is also a partner, had previously held the title of co-president.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has appointed interim leadership for its retail business with Mike Bloom, EVP merchandising and supply chain, and Scott Baker, EVP internal operations and real estate, taking over the management of the retail business for its 7,100 stores nationwide.

Bloom and Baker, who will report to Larry Merlo, president and COO of CVS Caremark, are assuming these duties on an interim basis, pending the completion of the company's search for a new president of CVS/pharmacy.

Sarasota, Fla. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association said Tuesday that Bill Simon, president and CEO of Walmart Stores, along with Steven Preston, president and CEO of OakLeaf Waste management, have joined the RILA board of directors.

Simon replaces Walmart vice chairman and president and CEO of global e-commerce and global sourcing Eduardo Castro-Wright on the board.

The RILA board meets twice a year to discuss the issues facing retailers and to offer insight into the opportunities and challenges confronting the industry.

Between announcing its first international acquisition and disclosing details of its U.S. expansion program, the Target board found time to squeeze in authorization of a quarterly dividend payment. The company’s dividend is currently 25 cents a share and is payable on March 10 to shareholders of record on Feb. 16. The first quarter dividend will be the company’s 174th consecutive dividend paid since October 1967 when the company became publicly held.

Dallas -- Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services said it has named Jason S. Vitorino senior director of the firm’s National Retail Group in Dallas.

Vitorino joined Marcus & Millichap’s sales intern program in September 2003. He became an agent in April 2004. During his career, Vitorino has closed more than 200 transactions valued at over $660 million, according to the company.