Starbucks Coffee Co.

QUINCY, Mass. — A Northeastern supermarket chain has made a business magazine's list of the top 10 most innovative companies in the food industry.

Minneapolis -- Best Buy Co. said Friday it has named Stephen Gillett as executive VP and president of Best Buy Digital and Global Business Services, effective March 14.

Gillett was previously executive VP Digital Ventures, and chief information officer at Starbucks, charged with leading the company’s efforts to enhance the overall global business operations and improve the customer experience through the use of innovative technology and digital experiences worldwide.

MINNEAPOLIS — While it may seem strange that a former Starbucks executive has been tapped to head Best Buy's digital and global business services, a closer look reveals Best Buy brewed a perfect fit.

By Kyle Priest, [email protected]

Pinch yourself: We really do live in a real world where sometimes you just need to touch stuff.

Los Angeles -- Guess Inc. has appointed Chet Kuchinad as chief people officer and Amber Tarshis as senior VP marketing.

Kuchinad joined Guess on Feb. 1. His experience also includes senior executive roles at Nike and Starbucks Coffee Co.

Tarshis joined the company on Feb. 13. She most recently served as chief marketing officer for The Hub TV Network, a joint venture between Discovery Communications and Hasbro.
 

Seattle -- The marriage of brick-and-mortar with mobile e-commerce and the likelihood of more big-box stores moving into urban areas are among the nine trends to watch this year, according to commercial real estate services firm Colliers International.

The trends are detailed in Collier’s annual U.S. Retail Highlights: 2012 Outlook, an in-depth report that chronicles current retail conditions along with the trends that will shape the 2012 retail landscape.
 

New York City -- A retail real estate market report, issued by Savills US retail group, found that, even as recovery remains slow, a few formats are progressing at a faster clip than others.

According to Gerry Mason, head of Savills, the majority of recent and planned retail development is in the grocery-anchored and outlet center category. CBL & Associates and Tanger Outlets are among the most active developers scheduled to break ground in 2012.

Charleston, W.Va. -- Cleveland-based Forest City Enterprises announced that found new upscale women’s retailers have joined the company’s Charleston Town Center property, located in Charleston, W.Va.

White House | Black Market, Coach, Sephora and Francesca’s Collections will open spring 2012. The center will undergo an expansive renovation, incorporating aesthetic updates to both the interior and exterior of the property.