Strategy

Deerfield, Ill. -- Cosi announced the appointment of Carin L. Stutz as the company's new CEO and president beginning Jan.1. She also will join the Cosi board of directors.

Stutz, 55, joins Cosi from Brinker International, where she was president of global business development, leading all aspects of franchise development and operations for 240 Chili's and Maggiano's restaurants around the globe.

 

A few days and about 15 meetings later, I am brimming with updates and stories from the annual International Council of Shopping Centers’ New York Deal-Making Convention in New York City.

Interestingly, my very first face-to-face sitdown at the Dec. 5-6 show delivered the biggest innovation of the two-day event.

I met with Marty Richmond, VP of marketing and corporate communications for Beachwood, Ohio-based DDR, who introduced me to the company’s newly unveiled ValuText program, a location-based mobile marketing service.

Mumbai, India -- A Monday report by Reuters said that the world’s third-largest retailer Tesco Plc has delayed its plans to set up wholesale stores in India, as it faces mountains of political red tape and controversy in the country.

Reuters, citing a report in the Business Standard newspaper, said that the supermarket giant will instead focus on setting up warehouses and back-end infrastructure. 

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Monday that it has kicked off its "12 Days of Giving" campaign, awarding over $1.5 million to nonprofits that were nominated by Facebook users. By the end of the campaign, 145 grant recipients in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, will be honored. Twenty-five nonprofits that have stepped up to fight hunger are receiving a total of $130,000 on the first day of giving.

New York City -- Macy’s said Monday it has brought back its “24-hour” stores for three all-nighters beginning Dec. 21. Starting at 7 a.m., 14 Macy’s stores will stay open for 83 hours straight for non-stop shopping until Christmas Eve on Dec. 24 at 6 p.m.

Another 27 Macy’s stores will stay open until 2 a.m. on those same three nights.

West Chester, Pa. -- QVC announced Monday that Beth Rubino has been promoted to executive VP human resources and workplace services, reporting to QVC president and CEO Mike George.

Rubino was previously senior VP human resources and workplace services.

In addition to her global human resources role, Rubino will continue to oversee QVC's corporate communications, as well as its community affairs programs and corporate social responsibility efforts.
 

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group announced that, in 50/50 partnership with Genting Berhad, it has opened Johor Premium Outlets, its first Premium Outlet Center in Southeast Asia.

The center encompasses 173,000 sq. ft. of GLA featuring 80 stores and is strategically located in Johor Bahur, Malaysia. A grand opening celebration will take place on December 11.

Cherry Hill, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said that True Religion has opened at Cherry Hill Mall, located in Cherry Hill, N.J.

The 1,500-sq.-ft. fashion denim store is located by the Grand Court.

Queens, N.Y. -- Onex Real Estate Partners announced the grand opening of local bakery chain, Fay Da Bakery, at Sky View Center, Queens’ newest regional multi-level mall, located in downtown Flushing, N.Y. 

The specialty bakery chain leased 1,650 sq. ft. of retail space on Level B of the 800,000-sq.-ft. mall, which caters to a population density of over 750,000 people living within three miles. 

Madison, Ala. -- GBT Realty Corp. announced that three new tenants have signed leases at its Shoppes at Madison property, a Target-anchored center slated to open in March 2012.

The newest tenants include a 22,000-sq.-ft. Ross Dress for Less store, Massage Envy, and a 4,000-sq.-ft. freestanding Panera Bread.

Together, these tenants join Target and 13 additional local, regional and national retailers, to bring the shopping center’s occupancy to 95%.