Strategy

NEW YORK  — Republican and Democrat retail executives both have something to look forward to in 2012 as former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush are scheduled to speak at major industry events.

Clinton is first up at the National Retail Federation annual convention in New York on Jan.16, while Bush will serve as the keynote speaker at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores annual meeting in Palm Beach, Fla. April 21 to 24. 

New York City -- Lee Scott, the former CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, sold 100,000 shares in the company on Friday, reducing his direct stake in the company by about 14%, according to a filing released late on Tuesday, Barrons reported.

Scott sold the shares for $57.17 each on average. He still owns about 607,000 shares directly, not including any options he may still have, the report said. Scott had not sold shares since March 2010, when he also sold about $5.7 million worth, according to InsiderScore.com.
 

New York City -- Modell’s Sporting Goods announced it will open a 16,460 sq. ft. store in Oceanside, N.Y., on Dec. 2. It will be the retailer’s 61st location in New York.

Modell’s operates 148 stores located in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
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Chestnut Hill, Mass. -- WS Development announced that chocolatier Lindt has increased its outlet presence by adding a seventh temporary store this holiday season at a WS shopping center. The Swiss chocolate manufacturer and retailer began its relationship with WS in the spring with temporary stores at six WS Development locations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut. Lindt opened its seventh Lindt Factory Outlet within the WS Development portfolio last month at The Crossing at Smithfield. All seven stores will remain in place through the holidays.

Philadelphia -- Simon Property Group announced Tuesday plans to unify the two main shopping venues of King of Prussia Mall, in King of Prussia, Pa., expanding one of America's most productive and iconic retail destinations.

Irvine, Calif. -- Steadfast Cos. said that Richard Gann has been hired as chief marketing officer for Steadfast Capital Markets Group, the company’s securities and financial services division.

In the newly created role, Gann will oversee strategic marketing functions to assist in the overall positioning and growth of the Steadfast Income REIT, the company’s $1.65 billion public, non-traded real estate investment trust, as well as future alternative investment programs.
 

Washington, D.C. -- Douglas Development Corp. announced that Joe Ruzecki has joined the real estate company as the new director of leasing.

Most recently, Ruzecki served as senior VP with CB Richard Ellis in Baltimore.
 

Garden City, N.J. -- Sabre Real Estate Group said that Anthony Russo has joined the New York metropolitan area’s newest retail real estate brokerage, Sabre Realty Group LLC, as VP.

Russo began his career with Bagnato Realty Services, now called NAI Long Island.
 

Fort Worth, Texas -- RadioShack Corp. has initiated a formal review of its creative agency of record for the U.S. general market. RadioShack reported total advertising expenses of approximately $206 million for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2010.

To help navigate the review process, RadioShack has retained the services of Select Resources International (SRI), an agency-review consulting firm based in Santa Monica, Calif.

Albany, N.Y. -- Trans World Entertainment Corp. announced it has named Tom Seaver as CFO, effective immediately.

Seaver, most recently held the position of VP – strategic planning and previously held the position of VP – finance global PMC.