Strategy

Bloomington, Minn. — Bruegger’s Bagels will open this week in Mall of America as part of the first phase of the mall’s $2 billion expansion.

The Mall of America opening is another step in Bruegger’s effort to expand into non-traditional venues such as airports, colleges and hospitals. The 1,699-sq.-ft. bakery-café will seat 18 and offer additional seating in the food court.

Atlanta -- HoneyBaked is gearing up for the holiday season. The company is preparing for its annual rush on its signature food products by providing part-time jobs for thousands of people nationwide. The company anticipates hiring 10,000 seasonal associates, increasing its workforce by 200%.

New York -- Walmart and Lowe’s have joined the Pacific Business Group on Health Negotiating Alliance (PBGH-NA) to launch the national Employers Centers of Excellence Network that will offer no-cost knee and hip-replacement surgeries for employees at four highly regarded hospitals in the United States.

The Container Store is turning to Borderfree, a leading global e-commerce platform, to help it expand its international e-commerce reach in time for the holiday season.

Previously only accessible to consumers in the U.S. and Canada, the Container Store’s online product offerings are now available to consumers in Australia, India, Mexico, Germany, France, Japan, Switzerland, Russia and the United Kingdom.

Plymouth, Minn. — Lillians, The Hippest Shoppe in Town, has announced the opening of its newest franchise location in the southern Wisconsin town of Monroe. Lillians of Monroe is the brand’s third store opening this year and the eighth location in Wisconsin. The brand offers boutique and department store fashions and accessories.

Sales trends at J.C. Penney are improving and year end liquidity is now expected to exceed $2 billion following a recent stock offering, the company said Tuesday morning during an uncharacteristic mid-quarter update on its operating performance.

Brussels — The CEO of Delhaize Group's European division has resigned, effective Oct. 31, the Belgian supermarket operator said.

Delhaize said Stefan Descheemaeker had decided to resign as CEO of Delhaize Europe, though the company did not give a reason. Delhaize said that as a result of Descheemaeker's departure, Delhaize Group EVP and Delhaize Group Southeast Europe and Asia CEO Kostas Macheras would report directly to group CEO Pierre-Olivier Beckers, as would Delhaize Belgium CEO Dirk Van den Berghe, effective Nov. 1.

Bridgeview, Ill. -- Alan Rose, CEO and majority owner of Rose Paving Co., a leader in national parking lot management, has been honored at the 2013 Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards (EEAs), sponsored by The Daily Herald Business Ledger, with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Twenty business owners in total were recognized at a ceremony on Sept. 11 hosted by The Daily Herald Business Ledger. The EEAs were presented for the 14th consecutive year, and approximately 160 people were in attendance at the event.