Strategy

Walmart, Target, Best Buy and other retailers created a cooperative nearly a year ago to develop a mobile payment approach and this week they welcomed another major player to the fold.

Calabasas, Calif. -- Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services has named Paul Loubet as western region director of the national retail group.

Based in the firm’s Newport Beach, Calif., office, Loubet will direct more than 100 investment sales professionals operating from more than 25 offices comprising Marcus & Millichap’s western region.

NEW BERLIN, N.Y. — Greek yogurt brand Chobani has appointed former Kellogg executive David Denholm as the company’s president and COO, effective July 29. The company has also appointed Peter McGuinness as chief marketing and brand officer, effective July 22.

The company will look to the two executive leaders to help it focus on growth strategies and capitalize on the momentum behind the brand, which reached more than $1 billion in sales since its launch in 2007.

NEW YORK — Walmart is ditching plans to build three stores in Washington, D.C., after the city council passed a bill on late Wednesday setting a higher minimum wage for large retailers.

“This was a difficult decision for us — and unfortunate news for most D.C. residents — but the council has forced our hand,” said Wal-Mart spokesman Steven Restivo in a statement released after vote, which passed 8 to 5.

Weymouth, Mass. -- Whole Foods Market has opened at Pleasant Shops in Weymouth, Mass., according to Federal Realty Investment Trust, one of the center’s joint venture owners.

The 40,000-sq.-ft. store, Whole Foods’ 23rd location in Massachusetts, will employ 140 full and part time workers.

New York -- Uniqlo is expanding its U.S. footprint. The Japanese apparel retailer, a division of Fast Company, will open 10 more U.S. stores this fall, in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and California.
 
The new locations, all in shopping centers, will bring the brand’s presence in the United States to a total of 17 sites.

The 10 new Uniqlo locations include:

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred's Super Dollar reported $187.7 million in sales for the five weeks ended July 6, up 3% as compared to the same period a year ago. Comparable store sales for the month increased 4.5%.

New York -- Meijer is set to open its first store in the city of Detroit on July 25, according to Crain's Detroit Business.

The store will anchor a new shopping center and will feature a grocery section, drive-thru pharmacy, gas station and Huntington National Bank branch. Other tenants at the shopping center will include clothing and pet supply stores and fast-food restaurants.

Whole Foods Market recently opened a store in Detroit.