Trading Partners

Bentonville, Ark. -- Karen Roberts was named executive VP and president of Walmart Realty on Friday, filling a position vacated by the company’s long time real estate executive Eric Zorn who retired after a 20-year career.

Roberts most recently served as senior VP and chief compliance officer. She will report to Tom Mars,  executive VP and chief administrative officer, whose responsibilities were expanded to include oversight of real estate in the wake of Zorn’s retirement.

Boston -- Gordon Brothers Group announced that Gary M. Talarico joined the firm as president and CEO reporting to the Board of Directors. Michael Frieze will assume the role of chairman, board of directors. 

Prior to joining Gordon Brothers Group, Talarico he was managing partner of Cora Street Partners, an advisory boutique. From 2004 to 2009, he was a managing director of Sun Capital Partners.

CARLISLE, Pa . — The U.S. subsidiary of Dutch supermarket operator Royal Ahold is hoping to attract local and diverse suppliers to its stores in the markets in which it operates.

New York — Francesca's Holdings Corp. will price its initial public offering of 10 million shares between $14 and $16 a share, the Houston Business Journal reported. 

The women’s specialty apparel retailer will trade on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange, under the ticker symbol FRAN, the report said.

In March 2011, private equity firm CCMP Capital acquired a controlling interest in Francesca’s, which operates 160 stores. 

Pittsburgh — Giant Eagle on Thursday unveiled its first two compressed natural gas fueling stations in the Pittsburgh area at its Beechnut Drive retail support and distribution center, according to a report by Drug Store News.

Small suppliers looking to establish business relationships with Massmart following Walmart’s acquisition of a controlling stake in the company would be well served to learn the correct pronunciation of Mncane Mthunzi.

Mthunzi will fill a new supplier development role at Massmart and comes to the retailer from an organization known as the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa where he served as CEO and Massmart CEO Grant Pattison serves as chairman.

New York — Borders Group moved closer to liquidation after a judge on Thursday approved its motion to auction itself off with an offer from liquidators as its opening bid. The retailer said it will accept bids until 5 p.m. Sunday and will give notice by Monday if no other bidder emerges.

Farmington Hills, Mich. -- Pet specialty retailer Pet Supplies “Plus” announced Wednesday that it has promoted Dave Bolen to president and CEO, effective immediately.

Bolen joined the company on May 2 as president, arriving from Petco where he was executive VP and chief merchandising officer.

Prior to Petco, Bolen was executive VP merchandising, marketing and supply chain for Jo-Ann Stores.

Harvey Solway has been promoted from CEO to Executive Chairman.

San Francisco -- A Bloomberg report on Tuesday said that three major grocery chains may have violated antitrust law by profit-sharing during a strike.

The U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco on Tuesday ruled that Safeway, Supervalu Inc.’s Albertson’s and Kroger Co.’s Ralph’s supermarket chains were not exempt from antitrust scrutiny, as a court last year overturned a lower-court ruling that the agreement, reached during a 2003 conflict with the companies’ unions, didn’t violate antitrust law.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot announced that it is partnering with Superior Financial Group (SFG), a leading small usiness administration (SBA) lender, to provide qualified small business customers with access to capital in the form of SBA Loans between $5,000 to $25,000. Customers can apply for a loan by visiting www.officedepot.com/sba.