Strategy

ARMONK, N.Y. — Winn-Dixie Stores has selected IBM point-of-sale and self-checkout technology to help transform customer service, speed innovation and increase the operational efficiency of 484 Winn-Dixie store locations, and other store formats across the Southeastern United States, IBM reported.

MALIBU, Calif. — U.S. toymaker, Jakks Pacific announced the appointment of Jack McGrath as COO.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer announced that it has opened a new, smaller-format grocery store in the Chicago area. The 90,000 sq. ft. Meijer Marketplace store in Melrose Park, will feature national and Meijer own brand grocery items, along with a full-service pharmacy offering a variety of national and Meijer brand health and beauty products, the company reported.  

DENVER and MONTREAL — Molson Coors Brewing Company announced that Torsten Kuenzlen, formerly president director of Coca-Cola’s Indonesia region, has joined as Molson Coors International's new CMO. Celso White, former VP and general manager, Americas concentrate operations at PepsiCo, has joined as MCI’s new chief supply chain Officer. In addition, Lee Reichert, formerly a partner with Lathrop & Gage LLP, has joined MCI as general counsel. All of the executives will be based in Denver, Colo.

QUINCY, Mass. — J. Jill, a leading multi-channel specialty retailer of women's apparel based in Quincy, Mass., announced that it has appointed Scott Edmonds to its board of directors.

Edmonds most recently was the chairman and CEO of Chico's FAS, where he led the company's growth from $155 million in sales and 200 locations to $1.5 billion and 1,076 locations over a ten year period.

New York City -- Sports Authority will open its first S. A. Elite stores outside of Colorado and California in two locations in the Chicago suburbs in November, according to Crain’s Chicago. As additional Elite store will open in Chicago’s Water Tower center next spring.

The stores will range from 11,000 sq. ft. to 15,000 sq. ft., and feature an edited collection of merchandise that emphasizes tennis, golf and yoga.

Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Meijer on Thursday will unveil its newest concept, Meijer Marketplace, opening a store in Melrose Park, Ill.

At 90,000 sq. ft., the new store will be nearly half the size of Meijer's largest supercenters. The smaller-format store, described as a "mini" supercenter concept, will focus on providing local customers with a tailored grocery shopping experience with fresh quality meats and produce, as well as a wide variety of deli, bakery and pantry items.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation welcomed plans announced by the Obama Administration Tuesday to streamline hundreds of government regulations, but said the plan does not go far enough.

New York City -- Italian handbag maker Piero Guidi will open its first retail location in the United States, in New York City’s Soho district. The Soho store will be the company's fourth standalone store outside of Italy, following openings in China, Japan and Hong Kong.

By Liana Hill, [email protected]