Strategy

NEW YORK —The unemployment rate in April edged up to 9.0%, compared with 8.8% in March 2011.

Construction employment was about unchanged in April, according to Friday's report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This industry has shown little net movement since early 2010, after having fallen sharply during the prior three years.

Overall, the economy added 244,000 jobs in April, a higher gain than anticipated by analysts.

New York City -- Massmart Holdings Ltd. promised to add jobs if Wal-Mart Stores is allowed to buy a controlling stake in the South African wholesaler, CEO Grant Pattison. His remarks were made on Monday at a tribunal in Pretoria, South Africa, that will determine whether Wal-Mart will be able to go through with the deal.

Maryville, Tenn. -- Chattanooga, Tenn.-based CBL & Associates Properties announced plans for a new Carmike Cinema at Foothills Mall, in Maryville, Tenn.
      
The new theatre will feature 12 screens with state-of-the-art stadium seating and amenities.
       
A former Belk building will be redeveloped to accommodate the 45,000-sq.-ft. cinema. The existing theatre at Foothills Plaza will remain open during the new construction that is slated to begin this summer.

City of Commerce, Calif. -- Los Angeles outlet shopping mall Citadel Outlets has named a new marketing team.
       
Traci Markel has been named marketing director and Simone O’Connor has been named marketing and special events manager.  The Citadel marketing team also includes Veronica Garzaro, marketing and domestic tourism manager, and Kristina Carlson, international tourism sales manager.
       

Miami Beach, Fla. -- Terranova Corp. announced it has been awarded new leasing assignments for two south Florida strip centers.
       
Piper’s Glen Shopping Center in Boynton Beach and Shoppes of Ives Dairy in Miami Gardens have been added to the Terranova leasing portfolio, effective immediately.

NEW YORK — Wal-Mart Stores said that by the end of the year it will have invested the equivalent of approximately $756 million to expand its operations in Brazil.

Marcos Samaha, president of Wal-Mart's Brazilian subsidiary, said in a Tuesday statement that 1.2 billion reals ($755 million) will be used to build 80 stores, renovate existing locations and improve logistics.

New York City -- The unemployment rate in April edged up to 9.0%, compared with 8.8% in March 2011.

Construction employment was about unchanged in April, according to Friday's report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This industry has shown little net movement since early 2010, after having fallen sharply during the prior three years.

Overall, the economy added 244,000 jobs in April, a higher gain than anticipated by analysts.

Ashburn, Va. -- Commerce, Mich.-based LaVida Massage announced it will open its first Virginia location, located at Greenway Corporate Drive, in Ashburn.
      
The new 3,200-sq.-ft. location is slated to open in early June.