Marketing

MINNEAPOLIS - Supervalu named Sherry Smith EVP and CFO. Smith had been the company’s interim CFO. She immediately assumes her new role and will directly report to Craig Herkert, CEO and president.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Sports Authority has announced a partnership with ShopRunner (http://www.shoprunner.com), a members-only online shopping program that offers consumers unlimited, free two-day shipping with no minimum order size, and free shipping on returns, across a wide selection of retailers.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. - TJX Companies announced that it will consolidate its A.J. Wright division by converting 91 A.J. Wright stores into T.J. Maxx, Marshalls or HomeGoods stores and by closing the remaining 71 stores, A.J. Wright’s two distribution centers and its home office. This action is expected to improve the overall profitability of the company, and will allow TJX to focus its managerial and financial resources on its larger, more profitable businesses, all of which have major growth potential, as well as to serve the A.J.

CINCINNATI - Just two weeks after announcing the exit of it's SVP retail operations, Kroger announced a replacement.

Geoffrey Covert, a seasoned Kroger executive, will become SVP retail operations, effective Jan. 1. He will be responsible for leading the company's programs and processes focused on operating efficiency, store productivity, and associate and customer safety., Kroger said. Prior to this position, Covert served as president of the company's Cincinnati/Dayton division for the past six years.

Vancouver, British Columbia -- Yoga apparel retailer and manufacturer Lululemon athletica reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Oct. 31 rose to $25.7 million, compared with $14.1 million in the year-ago period.

Net revenue surged 56% to $175.8 million, from $112.9 million. Same-store sales increased 29%.

The company operates 134 stores in North America and Australia.

Atlanta -- Atlanta-based Jones Lang LaSalle said it has added local playhouse theatre company Broadway Classics Productions to Harrisburg Mall.

Located in a former anchor store situated off of Center Court, Broadway Classics Productions opened on Nov. 19.

The theater expects 200 to 300 people per show, with three to four shows per week.

Chicago -- Jones Lang LaSalle, in a survey released Thursday, found that protecting and building the brand and driving responsible growth are the chief priorities of major retailers for 2011.

The survey, conducted by Jones Lang LaSalle at its recent Retail Executive Forum event, also revealed that the retail industry is placing increasing importance on the value of real estate as a key component of its business and brand strategies for next year.

Stamford, Conn. -- Rhys Commercial announced that The Children’s Place has retained it to handle the retailer’s expansion across Connecticut.

According to RHYS, which is actively seeking out locations in densely populated and well-trafficked markets throughout the state, The Children’s Place generally requires between 4,000 and 4,500 sq. ft. of space. The retailer is looking to open new stores in potential infill markets.