Strategy

Arlington, Va. -- The Food Marketing Institute said Tuesday that it has appointed Robert Rosado as director of government relations.

According to FMI, Rosado will focus on legislation that impacts supermarkets in the areas of food safety, health care, food deserts and the 2012 Farm Bill.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- After opening 80 stores last year and with plans for another 90 units this year, Big Lot’s made several merchandising moves to facilitate its planned growth.

The nation’s leading closeout retailer announced it has hired former Sears merchandising executive Doug Wurl to serve as its EVP merchandising. He assumes responsibilities previously held by John Martin who was named EVP administration with responsibility for store operations and human resources.

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — A former PepsiCo executive has joined Kellogg's as its new SVP global supply chain.

Steven Sterling, who most recently served as group VP operations for Pepsi's Frito-Lay division, joined Kellogg's on Friday. He will serve as a member of the company's executive leadership team and report to Kellogg president and CEO John Bryant.

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Office Depot didn’t have to look far in its search for a new agency of record, as the Boca Raton, Fla.-based office supplies and services company announced the selection of Fort Lauderdale-based Zimmerman Advertising.

MATTHEWS, N.C. -- Family Dollar Stores announced that it has named Brad Rogers to the position of VP real estate development. Rogers will report to Keith Gehl, SVP real estate and facilities.

“Accelerating new store growth is a key element of our strategic agenda,” said Gehl. “Through Brad’s leadership we will continue our aggressive growth in both new and existing markets to provide budget-conscious customers with a compelling shopping experience in more areas of the country.”

HOUSTON -- Douglas Ewert will become CEO of Men’s Wearhouse effective at the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting on June 15, when founder and current chairman and CEO George Zimmer steps down.

BRISBANE, Calif. -- Walmart announced that it has acquired the services of Kosmix, a Mountain View, Calif.-based company to grow its multi-channel strategy.

CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid announced that Tony Montini has been promoted to EVP merchandising. In his new position, Montini will oversee field merchandising and the company’s new store format development in addition to his current responsibilities for category management. 

Montini most recently served as SVP category management. He will continue to report to Ken Martindale, Rite Aid COO.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores said Monday it is acquiring Mountain View, Calif.-based social media company Kosmix to help strengthen its social and mobile commerce.
 
Wal-Mart, which has not disclosed the terms of the transaction, said it is interested in a social media technology platform Kosmix has developed that filters and organizes content in social networks to connect people with information that may be of interest to them.

Millcreek, Pa. -- Chestnut Hill, Mass.-based WS Development and Olympic Realty & Development Corp. announced that they have closed on 42 acres of land in Millcreek, Pa., in conjunction with Walmart.

The land is the future home of Millcreek Town Center, a 350,000-sq.-ft. open-air shopping center, which will include a new Walmart and approximately 160,000 sq. ft. of additional retail and restaurant space.