Strategy

UL has more than doubled its product testing capability by relocating to a new 48,000-sq.-ft. facility in Enfield, CT.

The company, whose ubiquitous UL trademark appears on all manner of products, said the relocation will enable it to more efficiently meet the growing demand for the company’s analytical, physical, performance and compliance testing of consumer products for retailers and manufacturers doing business in the U.S. 　

San Francisco -- Gymboree Corp. has hired a second senior-level Gap Inc. executive, naming Gap North America finance VP Evan Price as its new CFO.

Price, who also served as VP of Old Navy, will take over Gymboree’s top finance slot on Jan. 21, joining new CEO Mark Breitbard, former Gap North American division president.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Supply chain and reverse logistics provider Genco has appointed Herb Shear as executive chairman and Todd R. Peters as CEO.

Genco is a leading third-party logistics provider for manufacturers, retailers and U.S. government. It operates 130 value-added warehouse locations totaling 38 million sq. ft. and manages $1.5 billion in freight annually throughout North America.

Conyers, Ga. -- Brixmor Property Group announced a 24,920-sq.-ft. lease was executed with Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts at Conyers Plaza, located in Conyers, Ga.

Brixmor, based in New York City, is the owner of Conyers Plaza.

New Hyde Park, N.Y. — In the much-watched deal between Supervalu and a consortium of investors led by Cerberus Capital Management, Kimco Realty Group – along with several other real estate companies — has emerged as a player.

New York -- According to multiple reports on Thursday, congressmen Henry Waxman (D-Rep., Calif.) and Elijah Cummings (D-Rep. Md.) have said that Wal-Mart Stores CEO Mike Duke and other senior-level officials at the retailer were informed about allegations of bribery in the retailer’s operations in Mexico in 2005.

The two congressmen cited documentation obtained by their staffs, which discussed allegations of corruption regarding a store in Teotihuacan.

Minneapolis -- Supervalu Inc. announced Thursday that it has reached a deal to sell its Albertsons, Acme, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's and Star Market stores and related Osco and Sav-on in-store pharmacies to a private equity group in a transaction valued at $3.3 billion.

AB Acquisition, a consortium of investors led by Cerberus Capital Management, will get 877 stores across the various banners in the deal. The investor group also includes Kimco Realty Corp., Klaff Realty LP, Lubert-Adler Partners and Schottenstein Real Estate Group.

SUFFERN, N.Y. — Ascena Retail Group reported a lower than expected 2% decline in same store sales at physical stores for the November and December holiday period, but managed a 30% increase in online sales.

Combined comparable store and e-commerce sales for the holiday period ended December 29, 2012 increased 1%, prompting Ascena to lower earnings per share guidance for its current fiscal year ending July 27.