Events

For the third time in the past five months, Walmart chief merchandising and marketing officer Duncan Mac Naughton is representing Walmart at a major investor conference. Smart move considering expectations of further U.S. same-store sales acceleration has served as a catalyst for Walmart shares, which are trading near a 52-week high.

Walmart held another one of its sustainability milestone meetings this week and webcast the event live from the auditorium at its home office. By the time the hour-and-a-half event was over the senior executives who participated had delivered a clear and consistent message around the company’s wide-ranging sustainability efforts.

Bridgeport, W.Va. -- Youngstown, Ohio-based Cafaro Co. announced that Planet Fitness will open a new gym at the company’s Meadowbrook Mall, located in Bridgeport, W.Va.

The 23,000-sq.-ft. facility is slated to open in September, in a space currently occupied by High Point Furniture.

The Meadowbrook Mall Complex, at nearly one million sq. ft., is anchored by Elder-Beerman, J.C. Penney, Target, Sears and Marshalls.
 

Sam’s Club next week is set to hold the first of three unique supplier fairs designed to improve sourcing from women and minority owned firms.

The event is scheduled for April 25 from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is designed to provide education on the Sam’s Club merchandising strategy, engage potential suppliers, strengthen relationships with diverse suppliers and identify product offerings relevant to the members that Sam’s Club serves.

New York City -- Charter Realty & Development announced it has leased 15,000 sq. ft. for a five-screen Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Manhattan.

The location, 2626 Broadway, is in the upper west side and is owned by Bialek and Associates of Manhattan. Alamo will be occupying the former Metro Theater and intends on renovating it back to its former glory. The deal represents Alamo Drafthouse Cinema’s first entry into New York City and the company is looking for further growth opportunities in the market.

Boston -- Aberdeen Group’s 3rd annual Retail and Consumer Markets Summit, Retail on Broadway: Game-Changing Technologies -- Creating a Winning Game Plan, will be held May 1-2, at the Millennium Broadway Hotel, New York City.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. said Tuesday that it completed the $270 million sale of 11 full-line Sears store locations to General Growth Properties.

Sears said the stores will continue to operate as Sears locations into 2013 or 2014, with final closing dates to be announced later this year. The stores are in Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Washington.

Sears announced in December it would close between 100 and 120 stores to raise cash after a disappointing holiday season.
 

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Grilling is the theme of Sam's Club's annual "Spring Taste of Sam's Club" event, and the retailer is inviting members and non-members to sample some unexpected grilling options at its free event taking place Friday, April 27 to Sunday, April 29 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.