Strategy

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores named Cindy Davis as executive VP Global Consumer Insights. In the position, she will lead the newly created Global Customer Insights team, helping both Walmart and Sam's Club understand broad consumer trends, provide insight into customers' needs across the world and create advanced analytical tools to support the business.

Davis most recently served as executive VP membership, marketing and e-commerce at the Sam's Club warehouse store division. A successor in that role will be named at a later date, Wal-Mart said.

By Akhilesh Srivastava, [email protected]
According to NRF Retail Horizons Benchmark Report, two key initiatives to keep retailers competitive in 2010 were optimization and streamlining of their internal operations to reduce operating costs and improving their customer centricity to win the share of wallet.

MONTVALE, N.J. — Bankrupt grocer A&P reported in a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that Brenda Galgano, SVP, CFO and treasurer, will resign, effective March 27.

According to the filing, Galgano gave her notice on Feb. 10. No additional details on her departure were disclosed.

New York City -- Supermarket veteran Mike Gilliland, the founder, chairman and CEO of Sunflower Farmers Markets, was arrested after being charged in an undercover child-prostitution sting and has resigned, according to reports. Gilliland also was a founder of Wild Oats Market.

Chris Sherrell was named acting CEO following Gilliland’s resignation on Saturday, Sunflower Farmers Market said on its website. Gilliland also quit his post on the Phoenix-based Sunflower’s company's board of directors.’

New York City -- Barnes & Noble invited Amazon.com's affiliates to join its program instead in an "open letter" Monday, as Amazon continues to oppose legislation that requires it to collect sales taxes in several states, the Associated Press reported.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has named Cindy Davis EVP of its global consumer insights business unit created two weeks ago as part of a larger corporate restructuring.

Davis, who joined Walmart in 2007 and previously served as EVP membership and marketing for Sam’s Club will continue to report to Sam’s Club president and CEO Brian Cornell, although she will be responsible for understanding broad consumer trends world wide and to create advanced analytical tools to support the business.

New York City -- Abercrombie & Fitch’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City will be temporarily closed after a two-alarm fire last night damaged the building.

More than 25 units and 125 firefighters responded to the blaze, which began about 11 p.m. local time last night.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- West Palm Beach, Fla.-based American Commercial Realty Corp. said it has completed several new leases at the Shoppes at Boca Greens in Boca Raton, Fla.

Cosmetics and beauty retailer Harmon Face Values, a division of Bed Bath & Beyond, will open a new, 7,400-sq.-ft. store, the retailer’s first full store in Florida.

Children’s clothing retailer Denny’s Children’s Wear will relocate and expand to an 8,600-sq.-ft. location within the center.