Strategy

Less than a year after joining Hhgregg to lead the retailer’s digital initiatives, Kevin Lyons has been elevated to the role of SVP of e-commerce.

The Indianapolis-based operator of 228 stores said Lyons’ promotion to SVP from VP of e-commerce resulted from the creation of an ambitious online development and promotional strategy. As a result, Hhgregg has improved website navigation, driven positive social media engagement among key customer groups and integrated online and in-store marketing, resulting in double-digit growth in sales and conversions.

Ankeny, Iowa -- Casey’s General Stores announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire 24 Stop-n-Go locations. Twenty of the stores are located in North Dakota and four are located in Minnesota.

New York -- For the second consecutive year, Chain Store Age will select 10 individuals in retail real estate as “retail stars;” all will be featured in the April/May 2014 issue with bonus distribution to the International Council of Shopping Centers’ RECon show in Las Vegas in May.

The award recognizes people under the age of 40 who are making an impact in retail real estate – whether from the tenant (retail) or the landlord (shopping center company) side.

Hanoi, Vietnam – Vietnamese property developer and mall operator Vingroup JSC is reportedly preparing to launch an e-commerce venture. According to Bloomberg, Le Thi Thu Thuy vice chairwoman of Vingroup, has left that position to lead an online subsidiary called VinE-com.

VinE-com will reportedly sell a wide range of products to Vietnamese consumers and compete locally with global e-commerce retailers including Ebay and China’s Alibaba. Thuy told Bloomberg VinE-com is looking to acquire other Vietnamese e-commerce providers.

Eco Depot has signed a letter of intent with Water Technology Development to distribute a new portable water purification device called the WaterGizzi. Eco Depot plans to market the product as part of its eco-friendly product line, which also includes the Click and Pour and the recently acquired WaterGeeks filtration brand.

Charlotte, N.C. – Family Dollar Stores Inc. has renewed its in-store merchandising services contract with SPAR Group Inc. for two years. SPAR Group has been servicing Family Dollar Stores since 2012 across more than 8,000 locations.

SPAR Group has completed various merchandising service programs including schematic resets, revisions, item cut-ins, returns, audits and recalls across nearly all categories including grocery, pet, party, household & chemical and paper goods.

ComScore elevated president Serge Matta to the role of CEO as the digital measurement firm reported recorded fourth-quarter and full-year results.

Matta fills the position occupied by Dr. Magid Abraham who along with Gian Fulgoni co-founded the company. Abraham will relinquish the CEO role and serve as executive chairman of the board of directors, assuming a position currently held by Fulgoni who will become chairman emeritus.

Chicago — Jones Lang LaSalle has announced the appointment of Josh Burmeister as executive VP and Gulf Coast retail brokerage lead and Ms. Buff Teague as VP. They will cover Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and the Florida Panhandle, partnering with John Bemis, Southeast retail market lead and John Lambert, Fla., retail market lead.

Burmeister and Teague join JLL from SRS Real Estate Partners.

While at SRS, Burmeister served as market leader for operations in Mobile, Ala., and co-market leader for Birmingham Ala., operations.