Strategy

Philadelphia -- Destination Maternity Corp. announced the hiring of Chris Daniel as its president, effective June 1.

Daniel will report directly to Ed Krell, CEO, and will have responsibility for all merchandising, design, marketing, visual, sourcing and branding functions of the company. In connection with the hiring of Daniel, Krell, who held the additional title of president on a temporary basis since the departure of the company's former president, will relinquish that title.

Ashburn, Va. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased space at Ashburn Farm Village Center, located in Ashburn, Va., to Advance Auto Parts.

The new, 7,134-sq.-ft. store is slated to open later this year.

The 89,000-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by Global Foods Market, alongside national retailers such as Hair Cuttery, Pizza Hut and Goodyear.

New York City -- Big Lots, which plans to open 90 stores this year, has made two key merchandising moves to facilitate its planned growth.

The retailer has hired former Sears merchandising executive Doug Wurl to serve as its executive VP merchandising. He assumes responsibilities previously held by John Martin, who was named executive VP administration. In his new role, Martin will have responsibility for store operations and human resources.

New York City -- Wal-Mart Stores is making progress bringing items and shoppers back to its U.S. stores, president and CEO Mike Duke said Tuesday at the Barclays Capital analyst conference in New York City. 

Duke noted that improving the chain’s U.S. same-store sales remains its top priority. He said the chain is on its way to having the right assortment.

New York City -- Spain’s fast-fashion Mango will open a store in Manhattan’s Herald Square vicinity in May.

The retailer is taking over a 5,500-sq.-ft. space from Lane Bryant at 7 West 34th Street.
 

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot reported a first quarter loss of $5.4 million, down from a profit of $29.5 million in the prior-year period, amid weaker sales and a higher tax rate.

Total company sales for the quarter were $2.97 billion, down 3% from last year.

New York City -- Speaking at the Barclays Capital analyst conference in New York City on Tuesday, Kroger Co. chairman and CEO David Dillon said grocery prices are rising slightly. He also said the chain may benefit from rising fuel prices because the discounts it offers on gasoline could attract more shoppers.

Grocery prices have gone up approximately 2%, Dillon said, in what he called "the low side of moderate" inflation, since late last year as suppliers deal with higher commodity and energy costs, the Associated Press reported.

Dallas -- RadioShack Corp. said Monday that it plans to sell $300 million in debt that will come due in 2019.

The retailer said it plans to use the proceeds from the sale of the senior notes for general corporate purposes, which may include stock buybacks.