Strategy

New York -- The slowdown in consumer spending is set to continue for the rest of the year, said Moody’s Investors Service in a new sector report entitled "U.S. Retail: Retail Sales Growth Slows Amid a Cautious Consumer.”

Raleigh, N.C. -- Nearly one-third of distribution centers (DCs) are entirely outsourced, according to the Supply Chain Metrics Report by the Tompkins Supply Chain Consortium.

Henderson, Nev. -- Efficiency upgrades at 621 7-Eleven stores in California, Washington, and Oregon, will result in an anticipated energy savings of approximately $1.2 million annually.

The upgrades were completed by Castrovilla, a subsidiary of Blue Earth, an energy efficiency and renewable energy services company. The project involved the installation of energy efficient electronically commutated motors, anti-sweat heater controls, evaporator fan controls, gaskets, door closers and strip curtains.

New York -- RCS Real Estate Advisors said Tuesday it has been retained by Diamond Wireless, a mall-based retailer and one of six National Premium retailers for Verizon Wireless, to provide advice and performance analysis to the retailer in the management of its real estate portfolio.

As Diamond Wireless continues to expand nationally, RCS said it is charged with ensuring that Diamond’s current and future site selections, which include both inline stores and kiosks, deliver the highest and best value and efficiencies available in the mall marketplace today.

San Bernardino, Calif. -- Grocery chain Stater Bros. Markets said Tuesday it has promoted David Harris to the position of senior VP finance, CFO and principal accounting officer.

Harris joined Stater Bros. in 2009 as VP finance. In June 2011, he was promoted to his most recent position of senior VP finance.

Harris reports to Jack H. Brown, chairman and CEO.
 

New York -- In an effort to reduce vehicle air pollution, Duane Reade, in partnership with Mission Electric, is asking New Yorkers to help determine which of the chain’s stores should be served solely by electric trucks. Combined, more than 30 stores have been identified as electric truck ready in the city’s boroughs of Queens, Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan.

Dallas -- Davaco Inc. has promoted Tim Currier to VP business development.

In this role, Currier is responsible for identifying new business opportunities and building strategic partnerships with nationwide retail, restaurant and hospitality brands. He reports to Paul Hamer, executive VP business development.
 

Bridgeview, Ill. -- Rose Paving Co. hosted an open house at its branch office in Norcross, Ga., on June 21. The event  celebrated the company's new office in Norcross and expansion in the Southeast.
 
"Rose Paving's move to Norcross is a direct result of our bold goals to revolutionize parking lot management," said C.B. Kuzlik, senior VP Rose Paving. "We are passionate about the work we do and we are determined to provide the very best service to our valued clients in Atlanta and throughout the Southeast."

New York -- Safeway’s store in Bozeman, Mont., was recently awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. It is the first LEED for Retail certified store in the state of Montana, and one of roughly 200 LEED-certified grocery stores in the United States.

Minneapolis -- A Monday report in the Wall Street Journal said that grocery supplier C&S Wholesale Grocers is said to be interested in buying the distribution business of Supervalu Inc.

On July 11, Supervalu – which owns such grocery banners as Albertson’s, Jewel-Osco and Save-A-Lot – revealed it would explore a sale of all or part of the company. It said it had hired Goldman Sachs and Greenhill & Co. to launch a review of strategic options, including asset sales.