Strategy

Tampa, Fla. -- RMC Property Group announced it has acquired Carrollwood Corporate Center in Tampa, Fla., and is expanding and moving its corporate offices to the office building.

The Class A office building encompasses 20,000 sq. ft.
 

New York City -- Wal-Mart Stores CEO Mike Duke said rising gas prices are hurting the chain’s main customers, who are having an even harder time stretching their dollars to the next payday than they did a year ago.

"There's no doubt that rising fuel prices are having an impact on our customers," said Duke at an event that was part of The Wall Street Journal's executive breakfast series,  according to the Associated Press. "There's more pressure."

New York City -- Jones Group's net income fell 34% in the first quarter, weighed down by higher costs and charges tied to an acquisition.

Jones Group earned $25.9 million, compared with $39.4 million a year ago.

Jones Group said its quarterly results included about $11 million in costs and charges tied to its Stuart Weitzman acquisition and other restructuring and strategic review costs. Last year's quarter included costs and charges totaling approximately $3 million.

Issaquah, Wash. -- Costco Wholesale Corp. said Tuesday that its board of directors has approved a $4 billion share buyback program. The company also raised its quarterly dividend by 17% to 24 cents, up from 20.5 cents.

The share buyback program expires in April 2015 and replaces a previous plan set to expire in July which had $800 million remaining.

Woodbridge, N.J. -- Fameco Real Estate announced that Scott Jennerich has joined the Fameco organization and will be based out of its Woodbridge, N.J., office.

Jennerich previously led Trinity Real Estate Advisors, a consulting company specializing nationally in retail real estate, land development and the shopping center industry. He will join Fameco as the president of Trinity Real Estate Advisors, now a wholly owned subsidiary of Fameco Real Estate.
 

Moline, Ill. -- Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.-based Mid-America Asset Management announced that Citi Trends is entering Moline, Ill., with a lease for 10,137 sq. ft. at City Line Plaza.

The new store is slated to open in June.

The 112,849-sq.-ft. City Line Plaza is anchored by Jewel/Osco and Family Dollar, with other tenants including Papa Johns, Hallmark and Rent-A-Center.
 

Seattle -- REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.), announced plans to open a new store in Greenville, S.C., this fall. It will be the company’s first location in Asheville, N.C.

The one-story, approximately 22,000-sq.-ft. store will include a bike shop for quick assemblies and repairs, and a seasonal gear rental department for customers looking to test new activities. It will also feature a community space for REI and its local partners to hold outdoor-related classes, presentations and events.

Dallas -- 7-Eleven has signed an agreement to purchase Wilson Farms, a Buffalo-based convenience store chain with 188 locations in New York State, with an expected closing in the second quarter. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.