Strategy

Los Angeles -- CBRE said Friday that Michael F. Smith has been promoted to president of the company’s Western Division. Smith, who has led CBRE’s San Francisco Bay area operations since 2002, succeeds Steven Swerdlow, who has been appointed COO of the Americas.

In his new role, Smith will direct CBRE’s operations in more than 46 offices in nine states, with responsibility for all lines of business. He will continue in his role as Bay Area market leader until a successor is named.
 

Commerce, Mich. -- LaVida Massage announced the opening of its first center in Pittsburgh, slated to open in late December at Shadyside Shops.

The 2,800-sq.-ft. location will feature nine regular massage rooms, two couples massage rooms and an aesthetics room. It will be owned and managed by brothers and franchisees Gary and Michael Kohanbash.

Tarrytown, N.Y. – DLC Management Corp. announced a new deal signed with Wal-Mart Stores to open a 44,271-sq.-ft. Walmart Market at DLC’s Bethesda Walk Shopping Center in Lawrenceville, Ga.

The deal, which was finalized on November 21, marks the grocery-only concept’s first store in the Atlanta metro area.

New York City -- A Friday report by Reuters said that restaurant veteran Tilman Fertitta has added to his restaurant holdings by reaching a $117 million deal for Morton's Restaurant Group Inc., which operates high-end steakhouses nationwide.

Fertitta, who expanded his stake from in Morton’s from the 5% he already held, has outlined plans to modernize the struggling chain.

This latest deal marks Fertitta’s second acquisition in two months, as in November he acquired seafood chain McCormick & Schmick's.

Tampa, Fla. -- RMC Property Group said that Charles Boscarino has joined the company as the newly appointed VP of leasing. 

Boscarino replaces Bobby Eggleston, who has been promoted to VP of RMC and will be involved in the areas of acquisitions and new development.

Boscarino previously served as VP real estate and store development for Bealls Stores, where he was primarily responsible for the development, expansion, and marketing of 500 stores in 14 states.

Short Hills, N.J. -- The Mall at Short Hills, located in Short Hills, N.J., announced that Carlo Pazolini and Ermenegildo Zegna have joined the mall’s tenant roster. 

Luxury menswear retailer Ermenegildo Zegna opened on the upper level near Neiman Marcus. 

Carlo Pazolini has located on the lower level near Macy’s, and will present Carlo Pazolini, Carlo Pazolini Couture and Adami collections.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — eBay announced that it has partnered with Toys“R”Us, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Aeropostale for a new incentive for you to spend money online and in stores.

According to the companies, when customers spend $100 online using PayPal at Toys“R”Us or Babies“R”Us on eBay, ToysRUs.com, BabiesRUs.com, Dicks Sporting Goods or Aeropostale.com, they will earn $10 to shop in-store.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart said Friday that, on the fifth day of its "12 Days of Giving" Facebook campaign, it is awarding $130,000 to 13 nonprofits that are helping restore communities after natural disasters. Communities in Alabama, Connecticut, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wyoming will receive contributions from Walmart Foundation, the retailer’s philanthropic arm.

Over 12 consecutive days, Walmart will award a total of $1.5 million to 145 organizations.