Strategy

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group announced that it has named Liz Zale as senior VP in a newly created role overseeing corporate affairs and communications, effective May 1.  

Zale's responsibilities will include supervision of Simon’s investor relations, public relations, corporate communications, and government relations functions.
 
She previously served as senior VP investor relations for Nielsen Holdings.

Former Walmart apparel merchant Dottie Mattison and Sephora head merchant Margarita Arriagada will be among those honored next week at the 35th annual Outstanding Mother Awards.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Monday by the Commerce Dept. said that March consumer spending in the U.S. advanced more than forecast – rising 0.2% after a 0.7% increase in February.

MELVILLE, N.Y. — Retail real estate industry executive Jonathon Graub has joined A&G Realty Partners, a leading commercial real estate, advisory and investment group, as principal. Graub will advise A&G Realty’s retail clients on strategic growth opportunities and assist with their real estate operations.

New York -- A Monday report by Bloomberg said that ex-Aeropostale executive Christopher Finazzo – convicted last week on 14 counts of  fraud against the retailer – has been order to forfeit more than $25 million.

Jurors unanimously found that Finazzo must turn over $25.79 million in cash, interest in four Calverton, N.Y., properties and as much as $300,000 from a trading account, according to the Bloomberg report, which cited a statement by Robert Nardoza, spokesman for Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch.
 

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Corp. said Monday that it has opened a new IT office in Silicon Valley. The 52,000-sq.-ft. office space in Milpitas, Calif., will be an extension of the IT team at the company’s Menomonee Falls, Wis., corporate office and will initially employ 30-plus Kohl’s associates with the potential to accommodate future growth, said the retailer.

Tampa, Fla. — Publix has selected Applied Data Corporation’s InterScale scales management software to transmit data to and from the barcode labeling scales in its stores. 

ADC is a leading provider of fresh item management (FIM), recipe management and scales management software for the grocery retail and food service industries. 

Washington, D.C. -- Applied Predictive Technologies said Monday that AutoZone has extended its relationship with APT to license APT’s Test & Learn Management System on a long-term basis.

AutoZone will continue implementing the Test & Learn Management System to assess strategic marketing, capital expenditure, merchandising, labor, and store operations initiatives.