Strategy

New York -- Online shopping site Gilt has appointed Tracey Weber as COO, effective Sept. 3.  She will have responsibility for many of Gilt's operations, including Gilt City, international, customer service, and merchandise planning, as well as oversee several new strategic initiatives.
   
Weber joins Gilt from Citibank, where she was the managing director, North America Internet and mobile and global product.

Washington, D.C. -- Following negative numbers in four of the last five months, import volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to grow 1.7% in August over the same month last year and should continue to see gains through the holiday season and the remainder of 2013, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released Tuesday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. The year is expected to end with a 2.4% increase over 2012.

New York -- J.C. Penney Co. announced that activist investor and hedge fund manager Bill Ackman has resigned from the board of directors of the company, effective Aug. 12. His resignation comes in the wake of a very public and heated campaign in which he called for the ouster of Penney interim CEO Myron Ullman and chairman Thomas Engibous.

NEWARK, N.J. — Inergetics, a developer of nutraceuticals and nutritional supplements, introduced Martha Stewart at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Total Store Expo at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas Monday, August 12. 

Stewart was there to support the partnership between Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and Inergetics, Inc. as well as to promote the launch of Martha Stewart Essentials — a complete line of whole-food-based supplements created with Inergetics, specifically targeted for women.

Tampa, Fla. — Burger 21 has signed its first franchise agreement in Arizona. The deal will bring the first Burger 21 restaurant in the western U.S. to Chandler, Ariz., expanding the brand’s footprint to nine states.

The franchisee plans to open in Chandler next year and then to pursue a second unit in Phoenix. To date, Burger 21 has nine open locations and 17 franchised restaurants in development across the country.

NEW YORK — Gilt, an online shopping website, has appointed Tracey Weber as chief operating officer, effective September 3. Weber joins Gilt from Citibank, where she was the managing director, North America Internet and mobile and global product.  

In her role as chief operating officer, Weber will have responsibility for many of Gilt's operations, including Gilt City, international, customer service and merchandise planning; she will also oversee several new strategic initiatives. Weber will report directly to CEO Michelle Peluso.

Hilton Head Island, S.C. — SERG Restaurant Group has announced that it has signed a letter of intent to create of a new restaurant for Shelter Cove Town Center. The concept for the new restaurant has been in development for three years and will open in 2014. Details were not announced.

City of Commerce, Calif. -- Stephane Gonthier, COO of Canadian dollar store chain Dollarama Inc., is leaving that company to take the role of president and CEO at 99 Cents Only Stores. Gonthier will remain with Dollarama during a transitionary period and Richard Anicetti, interim CEO of 99 Cents Only, will return to his position as board member once Gonthier arrives.