Strategy

Los Angeles -- The union representing many of the 62,000 workers at Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons supermarkets in Southern California has issued a required 72-hour notice of its plan to cancel its extended contract, Reuters reported. The move that could pave the way for a strike.

Lenexa, Kan. -- Retail Group of America, owner of Strasburg Children stores, has announced the appointment of Joanna B. Shawver as VP real estate. She will lead the company’s real estate expansion strategy in the United States.

Shawver brings more than 20 years of commercial real estate experience to her new role, with specialties in tenant representation and shopping center leasing. Most recently, she was VP leasing with RED Development, a Kansas City and Phoenix-based real estate development firm.
 

New York City -- Centro Properties Group US announced the recent lease executions of two Citi Trends locations. A 13,500-sq.-ft. lease has been executed at Lehigh Shopping Center, in Bethlehem, Pa., and a 12,000-sq.-ft. location will open at Kline Plaza, located in Harrisburg, Pa.

Both Lehigh Shopping Center and Kline Plaza are owned by Centro Properties, based in New York City.
 

Chicago -- Urban Retail Properties, LLC said it has been awarded the contract by Garrison Investment Group to provide management and leasing services for four regional shopping centers, effective immediately.

Urban will assume third-party responsibilities for Chapel Hills Mall (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Central Mall (Salina, Kan.), Decatur Mall (Decatur, Ala.) and Lakeshore Mall (Gainesville, Ga.).

Placentia, Calif. -- LaVida Massage, a Commerce, Mich.-based massage and wellness center, announced the opening of a new LaVida location in California, as well as the addition of a new master franchisee in southern California.

The new 3,700-sq.-ft. center, located in Placentia, is slated to open Sept. 19.

New master franchisee Deby Goodman will own and manage the newest store, as well as will be responsible for building new LaVida operations specific to the southern California market.
 

Santa Paula, Calif. -- Centro Properties Group US announced a 2,000-sq.-ft. lease has been executed with Panda Express at Santa Paula Shopping Center, located in Santa Paula, Calif.

Centro Properties Group, based in New York City, is the owner of Santa Paula Shopping Center.
 

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club has announced the availability of three new proprietary brands found exclusively at Club locations nationwide: Simply Right, Artisan Fresh and Daily Chef. 

The products under the three brands were previously all available under the Member's Mark brand. Sam's Club said it decided to break out the labels after research determining members' priority needs in health and wellness, fresh, flavorful meal solutions and everyday cooking.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Pier 1 reported sales and earnings growth for its second quarter, leaving president and CEO, Alex Smith confident about the future of the company heading into the holiday season. 

NEW YORK — Saks announced that Denise Incandela, president Saks Direct and EVP of Saks Fifth Avenue, has been named chief marketing officer for Saks Fifth Avenue, a newly created role. She also will continue as president Saks Direct.

BRISBANE, Calif. — Wal-Mart Stores marked a major investment in social media and marketing with the announcement Wednesday that its technology unit @WalmartLabs has acquired mobile and social advertising firm OneRiot.