Strategy

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion unveiled Wednesday six new stores in the Greenville, S.C., area market.

Los Angeles -- CB Richard Ellis Group said Wednesday that the United States Postal Service (USPS) has awarded CB Richard Ellis a contract to serve as its exclusive provider of strategic corporate real estate solutions nationally.

CB Richard Ellis will provide transaction management services for USPS, including leasing and disposition. USPS’s portfolio consists of approximately 35,000 facilities, totaling over 300 million sq. ft.

New York City -- Borders Group said objections from creditors are irrelevant because the company’s liquidation means it will not carry on any contracts with business partners, Bloomberg reported.

Borders is due to seek court approval Thursday to liquidate its 399 remaining stores. The approximate 99 objections from creditors should be overruled, the company said in court papers, as it does not plan to keep or transfer any contracts or leases, the report said.
 

ANN ARBOR, Mich. and WASHINGTON — When given a choice, American consumers prefer to purchase organic foods, according to the Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll. The survey found that 58% of Americans say they choose organic over conventionally produced foods when they have the opportunity, a number that spikes higher among both young and highly educated respondents. Sixty-three percent of respondents under the age of 35 prefer organic foods, as do 64% of those with a bachelor's degree or more.

Huntington, N.Y. -- Oak Brook, Ill.-based Inland Private Capital Corp. announced Wednesday the $40.2 million sale of Huntington Square Plaza, a grocery-anchored shopping center located in Huntington, N.Y., on Long Island.

Toronto-based RioCan Holdings purchased the 116,221-sq.-ft. center, which Inland Private Capital Corp. offered to a group of private tenant-in-common investors in 2004.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples has announced the promotion of Christine Putur to CIO. In her new role, Putur will have global responsibility for information technology strategy and execution. Putur will report to John Mahoney, Staples vice chairman and CFO.

"Chris has demonstrated great leadership at Staples," said Mahoney. "She has deep knowledge of our customers and company with proven ability to align information systems to business goals. Chris will drive the IT organization as an important part of our success in the years to come."

Simpsonville, S.C. -- Centro Properties Group US announced two retailers will be joining Fairview Corners, located in Simpsonville, S.C.
 
Wild Oats Brewery will occupy a 4,556-sq.-ft. space; Upstate Gold Exchange will occupy a 1,500-sq.-ft. space.
 
Centro Properties Group, based in New York City, is the owner of Fairview Corners.
 

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples announced the promotion of Christine Putur to chief information officer. In her new role, Putur will have global responsibility for information technology strategy and execution.

Putur joined Staples in 1999, and has since held various leadership roles on the company’s e-commerce, technology strategy, program management and US Retail technology teams. She most recently served as senior VP information systems for the company’s North American Delivery businesses.