Trading Partners

Dallas -- Jones Lang LaSalle announced it has added the veteran team of Robin Smith and Lance W. Taylor to its retail brokerage team, both as senior VPs and both charged with assisting the firm’s growing client base of both retailers and landlords throughout the Southwest.

The Smith-Taylor team brings with them a two million sq.-ft. portfolio of retail assets that they currently lease on behalf of multiple owners.

Geno Coradini leads Jones Lang LaSalle Retail for the Dallas/Southwest region.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Stein Mart said Wednesday that it has been granted approval to continue its listing on the Nasdaq stock market while it works to secure full compliance with listing requirements.

According to Stein Mart, a panel gave the retailer a thumbs-up to continue the listing, and Nasdaq has given Stein Mart until August to comply with all applicable requirements for continued listing on the exchange.

New York -- The latest round in the battle between Macy’s and J.C. Penney over the sale of Martha Stewart goods went to Macy’s, which on Monday challenged a judge’s decision on Friday to allow certain non-branded Martha Steward items to be sold — at least temporarily — in J.C. Penney stores under the JCP Everyday label.

SymphonyIRI Group president and CEO Andrew Appel announced this week that the company will revert to its original name, Information Resources, or IRI, as part of a rebranding strategy.

“Our rebranding signifies our promise to continue providing ingenious solutions and capabilities for our clients to enable growth in a highly fragmented, competitive and complex market,” Appel said “We are well positioned to be the catalyst that enables CPG and retail companies to take advantage of new opportunities.”

True Value president and CEO Lyle Heidemann plans to retire May 31.

John Hartmann has been appointed as the company’s new president and CEO, following the retirement of Heidemann. Heidemann will continue to serve True Value through the end of 2013 as an adviser.

CINCINNATI — A major initiative unveiled by Kroger could have the retailer’s suppliers scrambling to ensure palm oil used in products the retailer carries are obtained from sources who meet strict harvesting guidelines.

Kroger issued the following policy statement:

Palm oil has become the world's leading oil crop and today accounts for roughly one-third of the global vegetable oil production. This oil has grown in popularity within the food industry as a cooking oil, shortening, margarine, milk-fat replacer, and as a cocoa-butter substitute.

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney Co. on Monday announced it has drawn $850 million from its $1.85 billion revolving credit line. The company said it will use the proceeds  to fund working capital requirements and capital expenditures including replenishing inventory in anticipation of the completion of for its newly overhauled in-store home departments, which are due to be unveiled next month.

SALT LAKE CITY — Overstock.com founder Patrick M. Byrne has returned as CEO of online discount retailer.

Byrne took a medical leave of absence in February to address cardiac issues thought to be associated with cancer treatments received much earlier in his life.